I built the GL system to avoid having to wash and then dry my Bio. Also I did not want to release methanol to the atmosphere. I have recovered +/- 1.5 gal of methanol on each batch. Even though I run the pump and heat to 90C until I have no more condensate both batches are dark amber colored, cloudy, and have a methanol odor when transfered to a stand tank and do not clear up after a week of settling. They both passed 3/27 at about 70F just after reprocessing. Both batches had a very thin layer of glycerin on the bottom of the settling tanks after a week.

I started misting one batch tonight and the other I am pumping into and out of the open top settling tank overnight (no misting on this one), and splashing the discharge onto the side of the tank. There is still a very faint odor of methanol.

Is the amber color caused by glycerin still in suspension? If so, will it fall out when all of the methanol is gone? My thoughts are that possibly my venturi is not moving enough air and that possibly the cooling water for the condensor may have gotten to warm if the system ran at 90C for 3+hours, when recovering methanol.

thanks, CC

Hello customcutter: If you use the gl dry wash method, Heating your new batch o processed bio to 180-200 deg while air bubbleing it for about four hrs. then let it set and cool to 130-150deg allof the soaps and glyc. will be setteling out, since they cannot be held in solution without methanol in the solution. then filter your fuel thru a 1 mic filter bag.the gunk you filter out is mostly soap and makes an excelent hand cleaner. For added protection filter thru a water filter before fueling your tank. If your are lucky enough to have a centrifuge, use that before the bag filter.This can help prevent any spills from the centrifuge into the finished fuel from an overfull centrifuge. And if you want to save time on the final filtering, run your fuel thru the centrifuge from the processor to the dry wash tank.

Antifuel:

Thanks for the reply. I have tried to follow GL's directions and have looked at most of the links on the GL Eco System Diagram State. Where can I find the GL Dry Wash instructions?

The misted batch is still cloudy after 1 mist with 5 gals of water, but much lighter in color.

The air dried batch is still amber colored but not cloudy. I just unplugged the circulation pump and will try settling.

CC

Hi CC,

I am using the GL process as well. I have seen the darkness and it was a small amount of glycerin. Bubbled the batch (no water) for about 3 hours and tat seemed to take whatever residual methanol out. A day later and it was clear and ready to filter.

Where in Tampa??

Tony

Hi Tony:

Actually Valrico, but no one knows where that is outside the area. So I listed Tampa. I've been lurking for several years, started my reactor last year and finally finished it a few weeks ago. Kind of a catch 22, I didn't have oil so I didn't need a reactor. Then I found a source for oil, about 50 gal a week at a new restaraunt. Went to pick up the first barrel last week and the owner said he was going to give it to his brother. I had been in weekly for months and now no oil. Just a little I've picked up in the last year here and there.



I was told that experience is the best teacher. I'm making plenty of mistakes so I'm learning a lot.

I've used the GL process as well. If I opened my reactor before I distilled the methanol out...it practically knocked me over with the vapors. After recovering the methanol as advertised, when I open the reactor, the fumes are not nearly as bad ...just noticeable. My bio would then be full of soap and other stuff in suspension. I poured mine into cubies and let stand. It took quite some time but it eventually settles out and there is a pure white mostly soap powdery substance in the bottom of the cubie. I siphon the bio off the top with a pump and put in vehicle ...never had any problems other than settling time defeated the purpose of a one day method. I hate paying for filters...tried using denim ...it worked ok. Still too much effort ...settling is best for me. Plan ahead and it's the cheapest way.

I had one strange experience where my batch went bad somewhere with the GL method. My guess is I "cooked" it too long while recovering methanol ... I made a mess. I stopped using the methanol recovery and went back to water washing. It was more predictable for me. I have started using the glycerine byproduct from the batch before as a prewash for the next batch. I've cut my methanol down to 17% and I am passing the 27/3 test. I think the excess methanol from the byproduct becomes diffused through the wvo so even though I am adding less methanol, I am picking up some methanol from the byproduct so I am probably still getting 20%+/- in the recipe using this method...and my titration is improved by doing this. Sorry ...a little off topic...I get typing and before I know it ...here I am.

I'm currently building appleseed, now considering the GL 1day. How long did it take to complete the GL 1day. Which does anyone recommend for a newbie? thanks in advance..

custom: I don't know exactly where to find GL's drywash imstructions, I stumbled across them I think late 06 but you should be able to do a search. The color does not mean anything dif oils or blends, age, how it was used and who knows what else[maybe 2 deg and 5 min of processing] could make a difference in color.clarity is probably the single most important indicator of good fuel,if you are not testing it. [3-27, soap test ect. or lab testing.