Need Help Making BioDiesel

[CrewCabDiesel]

I have been producing biodiesel now for about 2 months using a version of the Appleseed processor and my output of finished product is low and costing me around 1. 50 to 1. 60 per gallon to make. I am mixing methanol at . 22%, and mist washing and bubbling in a 60 gallon cone tank.



1st, for example if I start with 30 gallons of raw (dewatered and filtered to 100 micron) used veggie oil I am lucky to end up with 19 gallons of finished product.



2nd, I am having a terrible time trying to get the fuel to clear up; finish product is cloudy even after 10 micron filtering and bubbling.



3rd my best time from start to finish is 5 days. How can I make biodiesel faster?



4th how are others able to make biodiesel @ 85 cents a gallon when the best price I can find for methanol is 3. 61 gallon when buying 54 gallons?



Lastly, I have been told that the fuel lines that came with my FASS 150 ARE NOT biodiesel compatible, is this true?



Also anyone out there make a biodiesel sticker that says "Biodiesel Powered" and a picture of an oil derrick being struck out?



Thanks

Kyle

 

[PhatB]

Wouldn't advertise that you are running bio, many guys have been getting busted for not paying road tax on home brew, and some states it is not legal to home brew at all.



As for your low yeild and other problems, sounds like you are making too much soap.



Now, here is my disclaimer:



Although I have not yet produced any biodiesel myself, I do have 19yrs experience making coconut methyl esters which the process is nearly identical, along with its pitfalls of excess soap and emulsions.



Now, here is my advice: (only advice, try it or take it with a grain of salt, your choice... lol)



Providing your oil is dewatered as low as needed, then is sounds like you are using too much lye.



Make sure your titrations are as accurate as possible and you are getting a good reaction.



What temps are you reacting at? You should be at about 130*F, this make for a better reaction, and speedier



With a good reaction, you should be able to do agressive washes instead of the weak bubble/mist method.



Agressive wash is 1/3 of your batch weight in hot hater added to unwashed bio (your unwashed bio should be at 130-140*F), agressive mix for 15 minutes, allow to split for 2 hours, then decant wash water, repeat for a total of three washes.



Again, all this is for not if you are not getting good titrations and using too much or too little lye.



Hope this info helps you, good luck... .

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Well this last batch came out much better, I started out with 20 gallons of well filtered/dewatered oil and only needed to use 608 grams of lye and 4. 4 gallons of methanal, end result is about 19 gallons of really good and clear biodiesel. My reaction temp starts out at 125 degrees and climbs to 130 as I add the meth/lye mix and stays at 130 degrees for the 2 hours that I mix it for.

I did try misting and mixing the biodiesel during the wash which cleared up the biodiesel much faster. I have two 1/2 inch jets mounted in the top of my cone 60 gallon tank @ 180 degrees apart which creates a vortex at the bottom of the tank when I run my pump to mix in the 60 gallon cone tank. I also have 15 Mist heads mounted in the top of same tank.

As a final drying I bubbled the biodiesel for 4 hours and then pumped it into my tank! .

If I get my camera working I will try to post some photos if anyone is interested.

Please keep bringing on the suggestions

Thanks

Kyle

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Hi Kyle,

If you're asking for advice, you're gonna get opinions. Here's mine.

I have been producing biodiesel now for about 2 months using a version of the Appleseed processor and my output of finished product is low and costing me around 1. 50 to 1. 60 per gallon to make. I am mixing methanol at . 22%, and mist washing and bubbling in a 60 gallon cone tank.



you mean 22% right? you only need 20%.



1st, for example if I start with 30 gallons of raw (dewatered and filtered to 100 micron) used veggie oil I am lucky to end up with 19 gallons of finished product.



your yield should be 80% if you do it right. If your yield is off, then you're reaction is having problems. Maybe water in the oil, maybe the incorrect amount of lye. Maybe you're forming a lot of soap during the wash process.



2nd, I am having a terrible time trying to get the fuel to clear up; finish product is cloudy even after 10 micron filtering and bubbling.



Stop washing. Do a careful titration, and use DRY oil. Filter it good and use it. Washing creates as many problems as it solves. If you're worried about every little impurity in your fuel, go back to ULSD. (not trying to sound like a jerk... but you're running fuel that you're making in your garage. It's not a perfect fuel)



3rd my best time from start to finish is 5 days. How can I make biodiesel faster?



Stop washing.



4th how are others able to make biodiesel @ 85 cents a gallon when the best price I can find for methanol is 3. 61 gallon when buying 54 gallons?



Get your yield up where it should be. that should help.

Joe