Keith, Thanks for this answer and all the other information/answers you seem to find the time to provide everyone (how did you manage to get 36 hour days to get done all that you seem to accomplish?). You hit the nail on the head, I wasn't picturing 2 tanks for the methanol process. Here goes the setup and hopefully with success on this something a little more permanent.
Regards, John > Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 22:33:09 +0900 > From: Keith Addison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Methanol handling tips needed > To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" > > Hello John > > >Greetings, > > > >I'm finally finding the time to make a processor, but find myself > >hanging on a couple of points. First off I'm just going with > >something that resembles the 5gal processor listed on JTF to start. > >The problem is that I'm not grasping the process in handling the > >methanol and lye properly. The idea of forcing air into the methoxide > >tank thus forcing methoxide out other tube into processor makes sence. > > I just dont see where/how the methanol and lye are measured and > >placed into mixing container to begin with. > > Use translucent HDPE containers for mixing methanol and mark them at > the required volume. Use the air pump to pump methanol out of the > container it comes in into the mixing container to the required > volume. Weight out the lye (or KOH), we measure it out into plastic > bags on the scales (adjusted for the weight of the bag) so that > there's minimal exposure to the air and moisture in the air. Then add > it to the methanol mixing container. Opening the lid for this purpose > won't expose you to fumes as the methanol is at room temperature and > it's not being agitated. We use a funnel made from the top of a > 2-litre PET bottle (the kind you buy water in) to pour the KOH in > from its plastic bag. Mix it this way: Methoxide the easy way > http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_aleksnew.html#easymeth > > Then pump it into the processor with the air-pump. > > >So, I'm looking for > >pointers on how others measure and handle these to get them into mix > >tank. Additonally, I'm not sure what to use for heating element > >(electric at this point) so would appreciate any insight on this as > >well. > > With the 5-gal processor type you're more or less confined to > electric heating, those cans don't last very long with an open flame > under them. You can only use an open heat source for pre-heating the > oil anyway - no more open flames as soon as there's any methanol > involved. Maybe a heat exchanger would do, but that would probably be > a bit of a hassle in only a 5-gal can. Get a submersion heating > element, stainless steel, about 1.5 kw should do or maybe less. Try > to get one that fits (unlike ours!). > > Best wishes > > Keith > > > >Thanks, > >John > > > > _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
