"Kenny Dunn" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi all, > > I am sure this will be a highly redundant request to most - sorry. > > I hope to soon be a fellow bio-brewer. I have been doing a lot of research > and I am now prepared (mentally anyway) to begin refining test batch equipment > and procedures. After I get titration and test batch processing conquered, I > plan to use the Foolproof method and would like to try to develop a hands-off > system. The Supreme Commander requires that this be a low budget operation. > That said, the immediate stumbling block is that of a quality affordable > scale. Or maybe it's not. Any recommendations on scales?
I started with jeweller's scales. Works OK for small quantities, but finicky. They were cheap on ebay (under US$5 plus shipping). I have since acquired a triple beam balance scale (Ohaus), also on ebay. Had to be patient to find a reasonable deal on one. Watched several go by where I was outbid. Still, for the money, I recommend the Ohaus or similar. Much wider range of usability, less finicky, harder to knock over. > > >From much of the information that I've read, acids and bases and catalysts > >are > generally a hardware store type item for someone just starting out. Are there > other sources of these supplies that might reduce cost, packaging wastes and > trips to the Mega Hardware Hut and can provide these things on a scale > appropriate for me? Hardware stores work for me. Lye comes in various size containers, up to 2 litres, as stock items. Methanol (methyl hydrate) is sold as a paint thinner, again in various sizes, 4 litres is a commonly stocked item. What scale do you plan to operate on? Methanol can also be acquired in drums - try racing specialty shops. Drugstores are good for alcohol. Pool supply stores are a possibility for phenolphthalein. Aquarium supply houses are handy for items like low volume pumps and pH testers. Still, I acquired most of my equipment on ebay. Patience is definitely a virtue if you go that route. > > Once you've produced your first *quality* liter of biodiesel, what is your > test apparatus? I have contemplated renting a diesel generator for this > purpose. Is that a good idea? Are there other functional tests that can be > performed prior to subjecting an engine to my fuel? > I just gave my production to a friend who was quite happy to take some free fuel, fully aware of its pedigree and the research I had done prior to brewing. No issues, but this probably constituted a B10 blend in his tank. Check the biofuel archive for more on testing your fuel. > A bit of background (just a bit) - I live in Lancaster County, PA and would > like to tour an individual processor if someone is nearby. I plan to > eventually replace my heating oil with B100 and also fuel my car with the > same. I will be installing a solar hot water heater for DHW and radiant heat > later this year if anyone is interested in comparing notes for those sorts of > things. I have also contemplated solar hot water as my heat source during > biofuel processing. Has anyone successfully done this? I use solar heating for domestic hot water (batch in-line pre-heater) about six months of the year (when it doesn't regularly drop below freezing at night). I have not used it for heating the oil. > > Thanks, in advance, for the bandwidth for you time, > Ken -- Darryl McMahon http://www.econogics.com/ It's your planet. If you won't look after it, who will? _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://wwia.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuel archives at Infoarchive.net (searchable): http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/
