I am getting fed up....all the postings on the internet and forums make doing a 1L test-batch with new veg oil seem so easy, but I have made two now and they have both been unsucessful.
I am using the 'Dr. Pepper' method.
I am using new Canola oil and KOH.
I measure out 5.5g of KOH (90% purity) and add to 200mL of methanol in a HDPE old 2L milk container (cleaned and dried) and mix until all of the KOH is dissolved. I heat the oil to 55C and pour into another 2L HDPE juice container. I then add the methoxide to the oil and shake vigorously for a minute or so over a half hour period (the first batch) or just for 30 seconds (the second batch). I then leave to settle for 24 hours. After I get a clear seperation that appears good. BUT when I do the quality-test as posted on J2F (adding 150mL of water to 150mL of unwashed biodiesel, shake violently for 10 seconds, and watch for separation), I fail miserably. Both times after shaking it turned to a mayoinasse looking substance and failed to separate completely in under 30 minutes as it should. In fact, the only separation that occurs in 30 minutes is about a centimetre of yellow looking oil with white foamy floaties, sitting on a large layer of white creamy stuff.
So, yeah, I am dismayed.
The J2F website suggests 5 possible reasons:
1) better titration - I'm using new oil so no titration was done or needed
2) try more methanol - I don't see this as mattering too much bc some people say to use 200ml/L oil and some say 250ml/L oil.
3) Better agitation - I shake violently and appear to VERY thoroughly mix the liquids
4) longer processing time - the inventor of the Dr. Pepper method only says to shake for 10s, whereas J2F says to process for an hour. I have done both and neither works
5) better temperature control - I heat the oil to 55C and use it right away, I don't see this as being the issue either
One thing that I can think of, is that the inventor of the Dr. Pepper method mentioned that when mixing the oil and methoxide there should be no noticeable pressure produced, but mine has both times. Maybe I'm doing something really wrong?
I know this was a long post and if you read it all, thank you, I would really appreciate any advice as I am DYING to get on with it and make 15L batches!
Dave
I am using the 'Dr. Pepper' method.
I am using new Canola oil and KOH.
I measure out 5.5g of KOH (90% purity) and add to 200mL of methanol in a HDPE old 2L milk container (cleaned and dried) and mix until all of the KOH is dissolved. I heat the oil to 55C and pour into another 2L HDPE juice container. I then add the methoxide to the oil and shake vigorously for a minute or so over a half hour period (the first batch) or just for 30 seconds (the second batch). I then leave to settle for 24 hours. After I get a clear seperation that appears good. BUT when I do the quality-test as posted on J2F (adding 150mL of water to 150mL of unwashed biodiesel, shake violently for 10 seconds, and watch for separation), I fail miserably. Both times after shaking it turned to a mayoinasse looking substance and failed to separate completely in under 30 minutes as it should. In fact, the only separation that occurs in 30 minutes is about a centimetre of yellow looking oil with white foamy floaties, sitting on a large layer of white creamy stuff.
So, yeah, I am dismayed.
The J2F website suggests 5 possible reasons:
1) better titration - I'm using new oil so no titration was done or needed
2) try more methanol - I don't see this as mattering too much bc some people say to use 200ml/L oil and some say 250ml/L oil.
3) Better agitation - I shake violently and appear to VERY thoroughly mix the liquids
4) longer processing time - the inventor of the Dr. Pepper method only says to shake for 10s, whereas J2F says to process for an hour. I have done both and neither works
5) better temperature control - I heat the oil to 55C and use it right away, I don't see this as being the issue either
One thing that I can think of, is that the inventor of the Dr. Pepper method mentioned that when mixing the oil and methoxide there should be no noticeable pressure produced, but mine has both times. Maybe I'm doing something really wrong?
I know this was a long post and if you read it all, thank you, I would really appreciate any advice as I am DYING to get on with it and make 15L batches!
Dave
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