>Hi all, > >I am sure this question has been asked a few time You're right, hundreds of finds in the list archives, it's dealt with four or five times at the JtF website because people ask it so often.
>but I just wanted a bit more clarification for peace of mind. > >I did my first test batch last weekend, and aside from a few >equipment hiccups all seemed to go Ok. I let the solution settle >for a few days and then did a quality test last night. > >The test seemed to go alright, with the majority of water separating >in about 30mins. However, the biodiesel at the top was still >cloudy. I have checked the JTF site and it states that the liquid >should be an amber colour, and clear???? "The biodiesel should separate from the water in half an hour or less, with amber biodiesel on top and milky water below. This is quality fuel, a completed product with minimal contaminants. Wash it, dry it and use it with confidence." -- Biodiesel and your vehicle > Quality testing > Wash test http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_vehicle.html#quality Nothing about clear. >I am assuming that the cloudiness I have indicates that my process >isn't fully complete and I should have another crack. Would that be >correct? Wrong. "When it's clear (not colourless but translucent) it's dry and ready to use. It might clear quickly, or it might take a few days or up to a week. If you're in a hurry, heat it gently to 48 deg C (120 deg F) and allow to cool." -- Make your own biodiesel http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html Also: Drying the fuel When the fuel is clear -- not colourless but translucent, you can see through it, there's no haze or cloudiness -- then it's dry. Actually it's never dry: despite what the standards say, it always absorbs some water from the atmosphere, between 1,200 and 1,500 ppm, but this is dissolved water, which is harmless, unlike suspended water. It should clear by itself in anything from a day or so to a week after you separate the final batch of wash-water. Leaving it in the sun will help, or heat it to 45-50 deg C (113-122 deg F) and let it cool in a vented container. If it goes cloudy again on cooling you probably haven't washed it thoroughly enough. Give it another wash. If you're in a hurry heating it to 45-50 deg C a second time might clear it. -- Washing http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_bubblewash.html#dry Etc. Best Keith >Thanks > >Darryl _______________________________________________ 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/
