Has anyone tried using ultrasonic sound to make ethyl biodiesel?
According to http://www.hielscher.com/ultrasonics/biodiesel_transesterification_01.htm it speeds up the whole process.
Will it increase yield?
Will it make it easier, considering that the separation process is sometimes tricky?

It's been discussed a few times. I am quite interested, but have been a bit concerned about the power consumption and capital cost.

click here to view threads where it has been discussed before:
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=search&reqWord...Type=1&search=Search

From what I have read, there is no point in using ultra sound unless you are a commercial producer with a largew through-put. It is best suited to continuous production, rather than the batch production we use.

I've used an ultrasonicator to make methyl esters before. It worked really well... infact too well. We had a slight bit of water in our NaOH apparently and it made biodiesel fine really quickly then we let it go for a while and then basically it formed this big layer of soap that decided to spill out of our container everywhere and made a big mess. For the most part, unless you're super rich these things are too expensive.

Hielscher does have a good plan now though, you can essentially lease to own it. You pay 1000 bucks a month for 10 months and then you own the thing. The 1000 watt one anyways.

Hi,

I'm Aires working in Hangzhou Success ultrasonic equipment Co., Ltd.

The ultrasonic used in biodiesel production plant can save more cost.

We have sold it to many customers. Moreover, they informed us there are many advangtages after use the ultrasonic.
1.less chemical
2.less methanol
3.lower processing temps(last batch about 30 Degrees celcuis)
4.less mixing time (50% less mixing time)


If you have any questions, pls don't hesitate to contact us.

quote:

Originally posted by yaric:
I've used an ultrasonicator to make methyl esters before. It worked really well... infact too well. We had a slight bit of water in our NaOH apparently and it made biodiesel fine really quickly then we let it go for a while and then basically it formed this big layer of soap that decided to spill out of our container, cargo liners, everywhere and made a big mess. For the most part, unless you're super rich these things are too expensive.

Hielscher does have a good plan now though, you can essentially lease to own it. You pay 1000 bucks a month for 10 months and then you own the thing. The 1000 watt one anyways.

Even I got the money right now, I don't think I would splurge my bucks for that. I never heard using ultrasonic before.

$10,000 for a kW ultrasonic mixer?
Wow, that's quite some money for making a smoothie!

I have no doubt that it's marvellous stuff and out of reach for just about everybody.
I also have no idea why they are so expensive, but that's because I don't really know how they work.
I can put a 1 kW amplifier that produces 20 kHz for a lot less than that.
But something tells me I'm missing something.

Most people look at things like this, because they don't want to be cooped up in the garage every other weekend making Biodiesel.
I don't blame them.
Most folks that know their process (and oil) very well can achieve amazing amounts of automation with very simple materials like PID's, thermostats and timers.
If you build in all kinds of (fairly simple) safety measures everybody should have anyway, you can go a long way.

But as soon as I win the lottery, I go ultrasonic.
Come to think about it, I always wanted to drive a Porsche as well!

but what frequency are they using...
I seem to remember reading about 3,000 Khz or put another way 3MHZ..it'll cost a bunch more to get/make a 1KW amp for that frequency. what about the transducer?

just some idle thoughts

-dkenny

Ya. Here T our shop we have been looki g at the german we site in regards to the ultrasonic. Quite interesting. They are also creating a head pressure of 15-45 psi before their mixing chamber. Anyone know why? We just set up a gl 1 day.

Along the ultrasonic goes, we were considering having a daulphine in the shop next to the processor!