HDPE conical bottom tanks won't take much heat over the long term before warping. Maybe 110*F on a continual basis without problems. That should be enough to keep most fats liquid during transesterification.
Still have to heat and filter the oil, put the glycerin layer somewhere, mix the alcohol catalyst, recover the alcohol, wash the fuel and treat the gray water. On top of this, you can only run a half batch if the end game includes using the reactor as the wash vessel. This effectively shuts a 15 gallon reactor down to 7.5 gallons. All these things need to be overcome. Todd Swearingen ----- Original Message ----- From: Keith Addison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <biofuels-biz@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 3:45 PM Subject: Re: [biofuels-biz] A processor question... > >Bill and all, > > > >Please excuse me if I offend anyone's sensibilities, but why > >would anyone pay $500 for a processor 1/3 the size of what they > >can create themselves for $50.00? > > Plus "Heating Option: $100". > > There are bigger ones, 30, 40, 60, 80, 110 gallons ($850). > > >Besides, having a reactor is one thing. What about the rest of > >the process? I kinda' doubt that these units take into > >consideration washing, waste water treatment, catalyst > >recover/neutralization, etc. > > > >All of that "stuff" is part of the "process" and should be > >included in the cost of a system. > > > >Sorry. There were no colorful pictures or spec sheets from which > >to gather a more informed opinion. > > If you go here: > http://www.biodieselgear.com/equipment/index.htm > > ... and click on the [more info] buttons, there are pictures, but > only of the small unit, and it's not very clear - it talks about a > separate container for the meth but it's not pictured and it doesn't > say if it's included. "Washing is done in the processor using your > favorite wash method." > > Anyway, I agree - do it yourself. There are quite a few good options > for that here: > http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_processor.html > > Simon Wells' processor is a basic unit, very simple. Aleks Kac has a > nice design there, Ian's vacuum biodiesel processor and Chuck Ranum's > batch processor are both excellent set-ups. > > Okay, not everyone's into building stuff and salvaging, they may not > have a workshop or the tools or the know-how. In that case I'd > suggest contacting Mike Pelly. His processor will be more expensive > than these Biodieselgear ones, but it's had some enthusiastic reports > already, from experienced biodieselers. By all accounts Mike's done a > really good job. > Mike Pelly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > On the other hand, if you want to wait a bit, not very long I think, > there's a new design on the way for a basic 55-gallon drum processor > you can easily assemble yourself, no welding, minimal tools, and all > the parts, stirrers, motors, pumps, everything, will be sourced so > you can simply order them. This processor is designed to be cheap, > easy, effective and rugged, based on long experience of the designer. > US-based. > > I'll announce that here and elsewhere when it's ready. > > Best > > Keith > > > >Todd Swearingen > > > >----- Original Message ----- > >From: wmchellis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: <biofuels-biz@yahoogroups.com> > >Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2002 12:50 AM > >Subject: [biofuels-biz] A processor question... > > > > > > > Hi all, > > > > > > Has anyone here tried the Biodieselgear.com processors? > > > If so, what can you tell me about them? Are they worth the > >money? > > > > > > > > > Thanks, -Bill Chellis > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> > 4 DVDs Free +s&p Join Now > http://us.click.yahoo.com/pt6YBB/NXiEAA/RN.GAA/9bTolB/TM > --------------------------------------------------------------- ------~-> > > Biofuels at Journey to Forever > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > Biofuel at WebConX > http://www.webconx.dns2go.com/2000/biofuel/biofuel.htm > List messages are archived at the Info-Archive at NNYTech: > http://archive.nnytech.net/ > 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/ > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> 4 DVDs Free +s&p Join Now http://us.click.yahoo.com/pt6YBB/NXiEAA/RN.GAA/9bTolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuels at Journey to Forever http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuel at WebConX http://www.webconx.dns2go.com/2000/biofuel/biofuel.htm List messages are archived at the Info-Archive at NNYTech: http://archive.nnytech.net/ 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/
