The big oil companies are pushing for higher standards for Biodiesel. They are trying (successfully) to put the little man out of buisness. How do I get my monoglyceride on the gc down? I guess I don't understand the science behind it. Any help would be great! Thanks. Luke.

Luke
-I hear from a biodiesel chemist that monos can be washed out. I have no way of confirming this,(no GC) but he say's thats what they do at the plant he operates. Mono's are either from the unreacted tryglycerid, or caused by the reverse reaction from processing or washhing at too high a temp. he say's never process or wash above 50C to ensure no reverse reaction occurs. Tom

quote:

Originally posted by lwcooper:
The big oil companies are pushing for higher standards for Biodiesel. They are trying (successfully) to put the little man out of buisness.

In what way are they trying to "put the little man out of business". The little man is just as capable of making high quality product (if not higher) as a large commercial producer. If you consistantly make ASTM quality then you should not be worried about being pushed out of business. If you can't make ASTM fuel then should a business be selling it anyway.

quote:

How do I get my monoglyceride on the gc down? I guess I don't understand the science behind it. Any help would be great! Thanks. Luke.

Drive your reaction further towards completion. I believe it is possible to "wash" a tiny amount out as Biotom says but I don't think it is much.

quote:

How do I get my monoglyceride on the gc down?

As Fuzznag says, anything you can do to do to drive the reaction further will lower MGs. Do you already do two base stages? If not, this helps lots. Also, once the conditions are good for the reaction, long run times should help lower MGs as well.

Also, like Tom says, water washing can help some.

HTH.

Mono's have low solubility in water. In other words they are not easily washed out.

Using more methanol is one option to reduce mono's. Another is doing a two-stage reaction. If you are doing methanol recovery then your issues become more complex.

If you are a commercial producer and would like help with this problem beyond the advice I have given please contact me directly.

quote:

Mono's have low solubility in water. In other words they are not easily washed out.

Yes. Surprisingly, water washing does remove some.

I suppose the big question is....

WHY???

One can make a goal of isolating pure methyl ester.
Then take steps towards refining pure methyl ester.

But, the question is whether it is truly necessary.

For example, "Detergent Oils" have been popular for years. So, what do small amounts of "soap" do to fuels?

If large amounts of soaps are bad....
Is there a point where small amounts would be beneficial?

And, what are the likely failures? Time? Distance?