You've had some good replies.
Hello biofuels people,
I am about to start making my first batch of biodiesel and I have a
whole bunch of questions.
in much of the literature it says that it is important that your
reacting vessel be sealed to keep the fumes in but the logistics of
how to do that while simultaneously stirring and measuring
temperature aren't very well covered until you get into building a
complicated reactor (probably not worth it for my 1L test batch) I
want to make a jarful, does anyone have any good suggestions for
fume management. I saw some mention of using a blender but it is not
immediately apparent how one would maintain temperature while
blending.
I saw people throw out their price per gallon as being in the 40-75
cent range, what are people paying for methanol to be getting those
prices? what portion of the methanol is reclaimed? I got my methanol
from mcmaster carr for $43/5 gal, they haven't told me yet what it
is going to cost to ship even though they promise to ship it today,
I am expecting that it will be expensive because it is flammable and
toxic.
Lots of information on methanol in the list archives.
http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/
Here's a previous message:
Contact any bulk, liquid fuels distributor for 55 gallon lots or
better. Any bulk propane distributorship should be willing to tell
you where they get their methanol from. It's used as a carrier for
water, aka a "drying agent."
For smaller lots speak with the management of any speed shop. Their
customer base is largely dependant upon methanol availability. As
well, if you know anyone who races, they may be willing to part with
small quantities.
Also look on the net for distributors of Sunoco Race Fuels. These
distributors have access to unblended methanol in all quantities.
Todd Swearingen
Here's another:
http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/BIOFUEL/36249/
I was looking for an electric immersion heater but I couldn't find
one for less than 5 gallons (too big to fit in a jar) should I do
some sort of a double boiler on a hot plate???
Fishtank heaters are small enough, but the link Denis gave you is a
better idea.
what kind of a return should I expect, if I start with 1L of oil and
250mL of methanol and 6.25g of lye (planning on doing the 2-stage
recipe) how much of each of the products should I expect?
Not the place to start. It says at the top of that page:
"The two-stage processes are advanced methods, not for novices --
learn the basics thoroughly first. The single-stage base method is
the place to start. Start here."
"Here" being here:
"Where do I start?"
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html#start
Not for novices:
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make2.html#whystart
If all you want to do is avoid having to learn how to do titration,
you're cheating yourself. You need to know that, no matter what
method you use.
Best wishes
Keith
Thanks in advance for all of your help!! this is a great list!
John Guttridge
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