I've let the BD separate for over 24 hours, which I thought should be enough time. My method for separating could be suspect. I'm decanting out of a settling bottle and tried to be careful, but it is possible that some glycerine sneaked past. I think getting a better set up going is going to make it a lot easier to be consistent.
I just put my third batch through the methanol and wash tests and this time I've got some settling in the methanol so I think I'm going to reprocess it. The wash test turned out the same. Here's a link to a picture: https://picasaweb.google.com/ianandjubilee/Biodiesel?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNSD4sbwsfyjYA&feat=directlink I also was wondering it our water softener could have an effect. Could softened water create more of a problem? Thanks for the help, Ian On Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 8:44 AM, Jan Warnqvist < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello C Pinelli. Did you check the FFA and water contents on your raw > material before processing ? FFA levels above 5 mg KOH/g (2,5%) will > produce > a lot of soaps, making the processing bad and the separation even worse. > The > water content will promote the soap production and will also compete with > the methanol. The highest acceptable water content is around 1,5% and the > lower the better. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "C Pinelli" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <sustainablelorgbiofuel@sustainablelists.org> > Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2011 3:26 PM > Subject: Re: [Biofuel] How do I get the paper thin white layer > > > > > > I am having a similar problem, I have experience making ethanol > > successfully, but I'm new to biodiesel. > > I've been trying to get it right for some time with many many test > > batches, without too much success. > > I've followed the instructions as closely as possible, but still can't > > quite get it right. I use 90% KOH Flakes, > > a scale thats accurate to the hundreth of a gram, and am incredibly > > meticulous in my measurements. > > I've had mixed (but mostly good)results with the methanol test, but have > > never consistantly passed the > > wash test. Sometimes I get a very thick separation line between the two, > > sometimes I get clear water on > > the bottom with a yellowy mayo like substance on top. Sometimes it seems > > to have the reverse result, > > where it appears to be clear biodiesel on top, with very murky white > water > > underneath. > > > > I've tried various amount of KOH and methanol, and varying my processing > > times, but I can't seem to get it > > down. As soon as my schedule permits, I'm going to try to get some new > > chemicals, because im worried > > that my lye might be water contaminated. > > > > Any help deciphering these results would be really appreciated. > > > > > >> Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 12:51:30 -0500 > >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org > >> Subject: [Biofuel] How do I get the paper thin white layer > >> > >> Hello to all. I've made two test batches of biodiesel using new oil > using > >> the instructions on the JTF site, which I've read and re-read, along > with > >> many of the mailing list posts. I'm enjoying everything I'm learning, > but > >> still have a ton to learn. I also have a question. In both my test > >> batches > >> I've performed the quality tests recommended. The fuel passes the > >> methanol > >> test fine, with no glycerine settling out. When I come to the wash test, > >> I > >> have perhaps an eighth of an inch of white foam between the water and > the > >> biodiesel. It separates quite well though. I've tried to follow all > >> instructions to the letter and I ordered my chemicals from DudaDiesel, > so > >> I > >> assume they are a good quality. I assume the foam is soap. It could be > >> that > >> my measurements aren't precise enough, but if they aren't it's because > of > >> my > >> instruments. I have been very meticulous in my measurements. > >> > >> I've gone ahead and washed the biodiesel from both batches, and they > also > >> have a lot of white foam, although they also separate very quickly. With > >> both batches I've just kept washing until there's no more white junk and > >> the > >> water is clear. Does this take care of the soap (if that's what it is), > >> or > >> is there still something to be concerned about? Also, any suggestions on > >> how > >> to get that "paper thin" white layer instead of the thicker one I have > >> now? > >> I'm using new oil, what I think are quality chemicals, and I'm being as > >> meticulous as I know how to be. As far as I know, I'm following your > >> instructions to the letter. > >> > >> I thank you for your help, > >> > >> Ian > >> -------------- next part -------------- > >> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > >> URL: /pipermail/attachments/20110907/565c4278/attachment.html > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Biofuel mailing list > >> Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > >> http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel > >> > >> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > >> http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > >> > >> Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (70,000 > >> messages): > >> http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > > URL: /pipermail/attachments/20110910/ac803a3f/attachment.html > > _______________________________________________ > > Biofuel mailing list > > Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > > http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel > > > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > > > Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (70,000 > > messages): > > http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > > _______________________________________________ > Biofuel mailing list > Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (70,000 > messages): > http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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