1st try...

[lawman349]

back to the drawing board...

my first attempt was a 20 gallon batch. i got glycerin separation, but the bio wasn't that much lighter than the glycerin. the bio was really cloudy, too.

i took a sample and put it in a mason jar with about 20% water and SLOWLY tumbled it to "wash" it. I think i should've go some separation. But I ended up with peanut butter.

anyone have any idea what might have gone wrong/? the oil titrated to 4.2 and i titrated it at about 65 degreesF.

i'll be trying again sunday. the first batch is now weed killer.

[mako314]

you got a incomplete reaction. you need to measure out you lye almost perfect when making your titrant solution. and you must use distilled water. it's either a problem with the amount of catlyst or the mixing time wasn't long enough.

[lawman349]

thats kinda what i figured. I must've goofed the catalyst.

My 7000g scale wasn't delivered yet and I was chompin at the bit to make a batch, so I used a small scale and weighed my catalyst (KOH) in segments, then added it up.

I thought I did it ok, but I guess not. It was only a 20 gallon batch and I let it mix for about 2 hours, so it should've been okay there...ya think?

[mako314]

what are you using for your base with the KOH I used 7 grams as a base with KOH and added the titrant # from there. some people even go as high as a base 9 gr. the KOH reaction is so much slower that making lots of soap from extra catlyst isn't much of an issue.

[lawman349]

i use a base of 5g. I suppose I could go a bit higher, but I was trying to aviod using too much.

[250downunder]

Do a 3/27 test on your Bio before washing. If you have unreacted oil, react again with about 20% of your original methoxide. You should also look into the 80/20 base/base reaction method. It results in much better reactions and subsequently easier washing.

[lawman349]

Originally Posted by 250downunder

Do a 3/27 test on your Bio before washing. If you have unreacted oil, react again with about 20% of your original methoxide. You should also look into the 80/20 base/base reaction method. It results in much better reactions and subsequently easier washing.

ah ha! a 3/37 before washing IS a good idea! I wish I would've thought of that!

got any infor on that 80/20 base/base reaction meathod? I don't believe I have heard of that one.

[tubular031]

Dont worry. this will not be your last batch of peanut butter snot ish milkshake

Some good info on how to break the snot down
Breaking Emulsions - Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial Website

dont waste your 20 gal. It can be reprocessed.
Make sure you measure well and also that your wvo is DRY BEFORE adding the methoxide. Trust me, water + methoxide = not fun! When you think your wvo is dry, keep drying! better to be safe then sorry.

also during processing, make sure your heat stays between 130 and 140. If it cools down too much, it takes a long time for the reaction to finish.

And like the others said, 3/27. if you fail the 3/27 you will have lots of troubles washing.

[250downunder]

Originally Posted by lawman349

ah ha! a 3/37 before washing IS a good idea! I wish I would've thought of that!

got any infor on that 80/20 base/base reaction meathod? I don't believe I have heard of that one.

Here you go!
Base/Base Two Stage Processing - Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial

[sea71]

You guys correct me if I am wrong, but I also use the base of 7 with koh. BUT, that number is iused IF the koh is 100%. I was led to take the base of 7, divide by the strength of koh 90%(.90) which is 7.78. Add the titration to that number to achieve the amount of lye per liter. Graydon Blair led me to do that and I have been using it ever since. May seem like only decimal points but might be enough of a difference to short yourself just enough to have an incomplete reaction.