Holding fuel in an automobile tank is a lot different than making biodiesel.
The photo I posted was caused by a malfunction with the pump being used to circulate the liquid. The pump over-heated, caused an electrical problem and apparently generated a spark or something.
Even a melted power wire or other object will catch a plastic processor on fire.
I am a 20 year industrial process engineer. I've designed, operated and trained more people and systems than I can remember.
I am telling you, from an engineering and safety perspective, ANYONE WHO USES A PLASTIC TANK TO REACT BIODIESEL IS BEING A FOOL AND HAS NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
Its the first sign when you look at a company selling processing equipment. If their reaction tank is plastic, that company has no idea what they are doing. They've taken a very simple process and tried to build equipment for it using off the shelf parts to make a profit.
Most of these companies don't even make biodiesel and the people working at them probably have never made more than a few batches.
Now, I should qualify all this.. again, from an engineers perspective and a safety perspective. If you set up a piece of junk like a fuel meister in a shed that could burn to the ground without causing any other damage, then that is fine with me.
I know a few people who do this. They built a $500 wood shed far away from their home and they place their biodiesel reactor in there. If it burns down they loose their equipment and $500 worth of wood while looking like a fool in front of their neighbors. (not a high price for a major accident like that)
But most people don't do that.. Most people have a very valuable out-building like a pole barn or 2nd garage.. Many people even put their processors in their garage.. (not the best idea).
I hope you now understand why plastic processors are dangerous..
Anyone who disagrees with me on this point is either to dang stubborn to admit simple logic to themselves or is a seller or pusher of these systems in for a profit and they don't care if you burn your property down.
To be honest, again I am speaking from long experience, it is usually negligence. Most people would not sell you something they think is going to burn your home down. But if you are paying to learn from them, and they are not qualified to teach you, it is a recipe for disaster.
I call it the "fool meister"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony From West Oz  Yes, I have seen many plastic fuel tanks for both petrol and diesel. They are accepted by the Australian Design Regulations and there are no cases of them having to be removed from cars which are sold in Australia. I believe that many of these cars are sold in USA, Asia and Europe, with the same tanks fitted. While the plastic used is not the same as the plastic available for biodiesel reactors, you have not specified which plastics you object to, just "plastic", so I presume that you oppose all plastic tanks and reactors.
While you have posted a photo, you do not give any information on the fire cause or the heating configuration for the oil. That fire could have been caused by anything and while they look like biodiesel processors, they could have been holding anything. The photo's file name indicates that the units were fuelmeister reactors, which IIRC have electric heating elements in them. I have dealt with the safety aspects of electric heating in plastic reaction vessels in my last post.
Regards,
Tony |