Tom, what is the name of the "
slow dry, soft set, pipe thread sealant" you use? We are still getting small leaks... Thomas Kelly wrote: >Charles, > As Mikw Weaver pointed out, 1" Clearwater pumps are not self-priming. >Another way to avoid priming each time is to: > Position the pump so that it is level with the bottom of the WVO source >and the bottom of the reactor. This allows it to prime by gravity. I pump >WVO from a plastic barrel that is on a small platform ~ 16 inches high. My >pump and reactor are on platforms the same height. I used JB Weld to attach >a plastic nipple about 2 inches from the bottom of the WVO barrel ----> >line to the pump. > > Air leaks do impair the pump's ability. I'd recommend threaded barbs w. >hose clamps for any hoses ... (rather than using pipe nipples to hoses). >Also check on a regular basis to make sure clamps are tight. > While teflon tape works great for water lines, it is not recommended >for fuel/solvents lines. The fittings will eventually leak and the tape >turns to goo. I was advised to use a slow dry, soft set, pipe thread sealant >when plumbing fittings in my reactor. After 8 months, no leaks. The fittings >are also very easy to disassemble for processor maintenance. > Best of luck, > Tom >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Mike Weaver" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <biofuel@sustainablelists.org> >Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:44 AM >Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Pump choice > > > > >>We're using a clearwater with good results - but be careful to leave a >>little oil in it for priming purposes and when you plumb it >>use tape - any air leaks really impair its ability... >> >>Charles List wrote: >> >> >> >>>Hi All >>> >>>Thanks to all who have advised me this last few months, I am now a >>>biofueller! 105l batches, good product. Unfortunately, after 10 good >>>batches, my pump has started spraying out of the back of the impeller >>>housing. So I took it apart and the impeller has broken up and the >>>housing has been eaten through at the back, around the mechanical >>>seal. It was 30 years old or so, free and a plastic spa pump, so I'm >>>not too distressed, but I obviously don't want it happening again. >>> >>>I notice that the clearwater pump used by JtF is made of cast iron, >>>so should my next pump be made of metal? Also, is the impeller in the >>>clearwater pump plastic? As I know you can get some with stainless >>>steel blades, I wonder my impeller break-up was due to age or chemicals. >>> >>>Thanks >>> >>>Charles List >>> >>> >>> >>> >>_______________________________________________ >>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/ >> >> >> >> >> > > > >_______________________________________________ >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/ > > > _______________________________________________ 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/
