Processing batch. Pulled sample for 3/27 and it skins over at the surface almost immediately. Little string forms as drips from test port come out. Like an icicle. I'll try to post pics. Haven't yet done 3/27. Sample too hot. Visible fallout.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Sounds like soap to me. As the methanol dissipates, the soap falls out of solution. As long as it doesn't form several inches of skin you should be okay. If you break up the skin, it will settle to the bottom.

Follow up. 3/27 passes. 5/27 passes too. Very Clear, no fallout. This batch is a re-process from a previous batch where I didn't dissolve the caustic well enough. No way to tell how much didn't make it into the original process but it was a lot.

Had processor running while setting up cooling of 3/27 sample. When I went back out to the garage I noticed the hoses were very clear. I think I pushed the process too far. I'll let it sit over night and see if there is any separation. God I hope so. I'm tiring of screwed up batches.

The good news is that my pickup is running great on the first batch I managed to get into the tank last week. Can't wait to get this figured out so I can get a good flow going.

Still don't know what's up with the skin forming on the top of the sample. It happens almost instantly.

Thanks Euro.

So the soap will form on the top?

That is what I have observed. When you first dump a batch out of the processor, it will skin over in a few minutes. If you have added too much catalyst, it will skin over quickly and deeply. You want to avoid that.

I usually let my BD settle for a couple of weeks before dry washing and each day a little bit of skin is at the top of the barrel. I break it loose with a stick and lightly stir the top portion. I am pretty sure soap falls out of solution at different levels in the settling tank. You can only see what happens on top unless you have a clear settling tank. That would actually be kind of neat to be able to see.

Interesting. I think you've nailed it. I added a little more catalyst than the test batch indicated I would need because I really want to get this batch out of the processor. I'm eager to get a fresh batch started as I have a better understanding of how things ought to progress.

I'll let it settle for a while then it's into the wash tank. If I need to I will force separation as it seems to not be separating very well.

Thanks for the response.