Fwd from the [Biodiesel] list. >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >From: "Appal Energy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 14:26:55 -0500 >Subject: Re: [Biodiesel] Advise for creating my 1st Biodiesel setup > >TJ, > >HDPE tanks can be used. They may tend to warp if you use temps above 120*F >in anything less than the 1.9 sg rated models. > >I believe you'll find that the cost of the tanks and especially the stands >are not at all that much different from each other, with stands no different >in price whether they be for a 30 gallon or 110 gallon tanks. > >Should you go the route of US plastics, the best use of your dollar would be >to buy a 70 gallon tank and stand, rather than starting with something as >small as 17 gallon. Your 70 gallon tank can still be used for small volumes, >whether you use a pump or mechanical mixer. > >You'll also find that a 70 gallon tank will only produce a final yield of >~58 gallons . This means that you will need a wash tank of ~110 gallon >volume. You can't wash a 58 gallon batch in a 70 gallon tank unless you >split the fuel into two batches and wash each separately, at least not if >you use standard wash methods. > >[The idea of using a mist washer and discarding the waste water after it >passes only once through the fuel is a preposterously wasteful concept, both >in water consumption and dollars, as the water doesn't absorb its full waste >load that quickly.] > >The suggestion would be to maximize your dollars and get a reasonably sized >tank that will meet some of your future needs, rather than just those >immediate. > >Yes, a 17 gallon conical bottom would be perfectly sized as a methoxide >mixer for a future 70 gallon tank. But look at the cost.and take a look at >how frequently you'll be making fuel. A 5 gallon HDPE carboy would suffice >quite well for methoxide mixing at a cost of ~$5.00. (You can mix your >catalyst in 5 gallons and then add the remainder of alcohol required >straight into the reactor.) > >www.journeytoforever.org describes an easy methoxide mixing method called >"methoxide the easy way." Thinking a few hours in advance with every batch >will save you $225.00. Using KOH makes mixing even easier and quicker. Even >if shaking the carboy by hand, KOH takes only three or four 15 second cycles >of agitation over a 5-10 minute period before it is dissolved. > >As for explosion proof mixers? TEFC (Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled) motors >will suffice, whether they be attached to mechanical stirrers (impellers) or >pumps. You will still want to vent your tank so that no spark sources from >switches, plugs, etc. can ignite any fumes. > >Todd Swearingen > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "TJ Ferreira" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 12:40 PM >Subject: [Biodiesel] Advise for creating my 1st Biodiesel setup > > > > I just purchased my first diesel mobile and wanted to build a small > > home biodiesel setup. One that I can start small and build onto as I > > get more funds. I like the idea of using a conical tank so have found > > US Plastics Company in Ohio sells chemical mixing tanks that are > > conical and I can also buy a stand from them. Eventually I will make > > this a dual tank setup but for now, will start with a one tank setup > > and later, expand to a two tank setup. > > > > So, US Plastics offers 3 sizes in conical tanks, 15, 30, and 70 > > gallon. Eventually my plan is to have a dual tank setup where I have > > a 15 gallon pre-mix tank and then a 70 gallon reactor. So, I am ready > > to buy right now the 15 gallon tank and stand so I can make small > > batches of biodiesel so I can learn the process. Then later, this 15 > > gallon tank will become the pre-mix tank when I go dual tank later on > > and buy that big 70 gallon tank. For now though, is the 15 gallon > > single tank OK. Am I correct that a 15 gallon tank would make about > > 10 to 12 gallons of biodiesel? I would connect a open/shut valve on > > the bottom of the tank to drain the glycerin and then use that same > > valve to easily fill small gallon jugs with biodiesel. Plan is to > > basically go B20 so will use 80% petrol diesel and 20% biodiesel to > > see how it works in my vanagon. Then over time when I replace the > > hoses with Viton, make larger batches with a dual tank setup and go B100. > > > > 2nd question, what mixer can I buy for a small 15 gallon conical tank > > that is "explosion proof". US Plastics said non of their mixers are > > considered "explosion proof". So, what are my options? > > > > Thomas
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