Quote:
Originally Posted by Qwarla  OMG!!!! 
Just think what can create an emolsion in the first place????? 
I know, lets pump the bio and a small part of the byproduct into the wash tank. Add a heap of water and bubble away.
Great we now have a big whitish marsh mellow. 
Daniel try it on a small scale. 50 ml bio 500 ml water and a teaspoon of byproduct in a coke bottle and shake. That should make a nice emolsion.
Now try adding more byproduct and see if you can get it to break that way. I am sure it will not. |
Quarla,
This technique does work!
While I have not researched the information I am recalling from about 5 - 6 years ago, I believe it is functionally correct. It was pioneered by HCII who is a member of this forum.
When an emulsion forms, usually a small amount of byproduct or soap in the biodiesel and the wash water, along with vigorous agitation, which is the cause.
Usually people use up to 50% water in each wash stage. Many use as little as 20% water by volume, some use up to 100% in each stage.
By adding back the total amount of byproduct which came from the batch process & stirring gently, you will break the emulsion. Less may also break the emulsion. It has been reported that 10% byproduct by volume, was sufficient for one biodiesel maker. Others will need to test the amount required for their particular emulsions. The amount of water in the mix is a variable which affects the effectiveness.
The disadvantages are that you now have a lot of watery byproduct and you need to start washing all over again.
This is a small price to pay for recovering a potential loss of all of the biodiesel from the batch.
Any attempt at emulsion breaking, or any other failure recovery method, should be tested on a small sample to determine the impact of the proposed remedy, on the emulsion. Not good to try adding 100 litres of water to a 100 litre batch if it is going to make things worse. Test first and be sure of the outcome.
Regards,
Tony