>I know I have read this somewhere, but where exactly escapes me at >the moment. >Using sodium hydroxide as a catalyst will encourage the glycerine >to "harden" at under 100F right? Does this mean that while >processing I should be sure to keep the temperature ABOVE 100F and >then drain it off about an hour after I have stopped mixing ?
"Encourage" is the right word, though it won't necessarily happen at all. Whether it hardens and at what temp depends on a few things. More info here: How much glycerine? Why isn't it solid? http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make2.html#howmuchglyc As I recall (it's been awhile), when it solidifies it takes a while and it doesn't happen evenly, it gets lumpy first. Mostly it didn't set, apart from a few lump sometimes. Using KOH we've never had it solidify. I think your 100F would be a bit high, melting temp should probably be lower than that, not quite sure of that though. I've got some solid stuff, I could melt it and let it set again, check the melting point, but it'll take me awhile to get round to it. >I am building Girl Mark's Fumeless Processor using a water heater >(30 gal capacity), and it would seem that that (100F) would be the >way to go, although I am still not 100% certain about the draining >the glycerine so soon after stopping the mixing. >Any pointers ? You're talking about the acid-base process, right? It's an optional step (as is removing glyc during the 2nd stage), so if you're not happy with it you could try it first without. Your processing temp for the 2nd stage should be 55 deg C (130F); one hour after processing (depending on the weather) it should still be above 100F. Most, but not quite all, the glycerine by-product will have settled by then, but you'll be settling it properly and draining it all later anyway. HTH Best Keith ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/