<http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_vehicle.html#whatdo>http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_vehicle.html#whatdo
What should you do if your fuel doesn't pass the wash-test?
Well, for one thing I'm certainly not giving up. Just stumped.
I've licked carburetor problems, idling issues, helped rebuild transmissions, and above all I'm paying my own way through engineering school. I'm not letting a simple transesterification process kick my butt. ^.~
It is though, isn't it?
"Make sure you measure your Lye very carefully, I found I added to much
the first time and smoked a blender but it was this and several other
blunders that have made it easier to get along with now."
Mmm... I should post pictures of what the blender looks like now. I smoked it pretty badly, on closer inspection. Cracked/melted part of the blender drum, ate away the seal (Seriously, does methanol/methoxide attack silicone parts?), started to do something funky to the blender blade; I'm going to guess it's an aluminum blade?
Anywho, thank you for your suggestions; I'm swapping, since I'm on a bit of a tight budget, from a scale/mass based measuring system for hydroxide to a volumetric one. I have small measures and cylinders abounding all around me, and very little in the way of scales. Calibrate up a couple of different measuring devices, and do everything by volume instead of mass. Density of NaOH is 2.1 g/cm3 right? Makes this whole thing easy and quicker for me.
Might seem to at first but it won't. Accurate scales will make it easier and quicker for you.
I've dewatered some of my fresh oil (Got to love Wal-Mart quality, it had measurable water in it.),
Why risk wasting your time? People are trying to tell you about removing the variables, not adding more of them. Get some virgin oil that doesn't have water in it.
and I'm going to plan on making up a batch in a small jar, about 300mL total size for conservation purposes.
How will you mix it and keep it hot?
Tight budget and all that.
I'll keep you all posted, if you'd like; have a couple of ideas for tinkering once I have the basic process down pat.
First things first. And then the wash-test:
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_vehicle.html#quality
Good luck
Keith
-K
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