If you have not yet mounted the immersion heater, then why not just mount it low enough right from the start? (heat rises)Only thing to watch out for there is not to mount it so low that it will burn the bottom of your poly tank, then a better solution would be to get a metal one (about the same size if space is a factor) and then have someone competent (you?) weld a flange into the side and then simply screw in your heater into it. This later is what I have done for my pre-heat tank and it works very well. I also have a spout at the very bottom for draining. Converting this pre-heat tank to a small batch processor is also do- able by locating a suitable top for it and making the required holes for the drill/paint stirrer and the thermometer. A riskier way to do it (due to the methanol) is to do it in an open can although that should never be undertaken indoors as the fumes are dangerous and could cause serious harm, but it will do as little as 20 liters (I have done it). You then can wash in the same tank using the paint stirrer as a "pump" after you have drained off the glycerine. I did the small batch as a learning curve thing and was happy that I did, although for the time involved I won't be doing that again, opting rather for full batches in the large processor and then washing via pump in a "Standpipe" tank; http://www.veggieavenger.com/avengerboard/viewtopic.php?t=333) The hose coming out of the "water" side gets attached to the pump and the return is either a hose clamped to the side of the tank or flanged through the side of it. The other "exit" from the "standpipe" is for BD only after it's final wash and can also be hooked up to a drill-pump to fascilitate draining. Thr drill-pumps I have work well with processed BD once the glycerine is removed.
L. --- In biofuel@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > What does one need to watch out for when trying a small batch in a large processor? > > The things that i can think of are: > 1. The resistance, heater should never get in contact with air, or it will over heat, explosion. > One has to calculate the volume in the pump and hoses aswell. > > 2. The pump has to have liquid up to its entry, or it will not work because it cant suck air. > > The resistance is a washing machine resistance, and the pump is also a 60w washing machine pump. > > The processor is a 110 l plastic drum. > > I havent built the processor yet. I have just gathered all the parts. > > I have 2 heaters, maby i could mount one lower for smaller batches and the other at the normal level for full capacity. > > Or am i being dangerously lazy. > > Am i missing something? ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/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/
