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So we have read and read and worked and finally built our processor out of a water heater and a standpipe tank for washing. We made our first batch this last weekend and everything seemed to go well. We did a 3/27 test and it looked like there was a tiny amount of perfectly clear oil in the bottom (it looked like storebought canola oil or something). So my first question is does that mean we have to much monoglycerides and such to use this batch?

The second question and big problem we have right now is that we started mist washing (1gpm head from utah supply, as is the kit for the processor etc.) however, now we have a barrel full of diluted biodiesel. We let it sit overnight last night to see if it would start to seperate and this morning, the same thing no seperation. It doesn't look like the pics I have seen of emulsification, just diluted fuel. What did we do wrong? Are we missing something?
We used 5gr/litre + the titration amount of NaOH. We went by the formula for the methanol. We got about 10% of the mix out as glycerin that looked just like when we did a small test batch a few weeks ago. Only thing is, the washing doesn't seem to be right.

Any help would be greatly appreciated since we are complete noobs with this!
 
Registered: 08 December 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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Ok, A. when we did the 3/27 test it was pretty damn cold (about 40 degF or so, hey it's FL thats cold for me) so it may have been a false positive. We will test it again after we are done washing.

B. The water seperated out but the fuel looked kinda of different. From what we understand this is normal on the first pass of mist washing and should clear up after the next few washes. We are going to mist wash a few more times and then bubblewash. We will see how it comes out.
 
Registered: 08 December 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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if it was a clear pass on the 3/27 at 40 degrees, you have great conversion. If you any fallout at 40 degrees, retest it at 68.
The bio will change colors throughout the wash phases..its normal. You will know youre getting close to being done washing when the fuel goes dark on its own once settled.
A good indication of incomplete conversion is if you are having washing problems. Emulsions are easier, and its seems to be harder to get soaps out if it is not good conversion fuel.
Rerun the 3/27 on a dry sample at 68 and see what you have
 
Registered: 13 May 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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if you only got 10 percent of the mix as glycerin than you probily have an incomplete reaction. you sould get close to what you used for meth out as glycerin and in some cases more. i would stop washing and dry really really good do a 27/3 at 68f if you dont pass dry some more (h20 meth and lie = soap- soap and more soap) and reprocess
 
Location: angeir nc | Registered: 11 August 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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