as title says

Hi there, I believe 50C is typical. Have looked up basic methods? Where about in Canada - I'm an ex-pat? Cheers, Paul

Good grief - I just read a couple of your other posts - didn't know I was responding to a "Biodiesel engineer" question. Just ignore my reply. If you are already producing such huge quantitites of biodiesel I reckon you must already have a handle on reaction temps etc...

Most people run the reaction between 50 - 60o C.

The usual optium aim is 55o C. for me

Most people who post on this forum make biodiesel in batch processes at temperatures between 40°C and 60°C.
Is this the information you were seeking?

Tony

yeah, i was just curious to see what others are reacting at

im in british columbia

A few of my own observations:

At 55-60 degrees I've notice that methanol will start evaporating. It seems to evaporate well before it boils. This poses a inhalation risk.

Conversely if the temperature is too low, it will drop in temp when you add the methoxide and the temp will drop more over the reaction time if the vessel insn't properly insulated.

For safety's sake if the temp drops after you have added the methanol, just react for a little longer.

Rule of thumb is react for twice as long for every drop of 10 degrees C.

EG at 40C react for 1h 30m - 2hrs, at 30C - react for up to 4 hours

Dont try reheating.

__________________
Joe Morgan
Brisbane Biodiesel Site Admin
http://www.brisbanebiodiesel.com

Searching tips using Google - SVO Dual tank systems
SVO, Common Rail and Direct Injection - Vehicles converted to Used Cooking Oil

I heat to 60 degrees C in a separate drum to my reactor, then pump it over. It drops about 5 degrees as I mix it for a couple of minutes before adding the methoxide. The reaction temperature then lies somewhere between 50 and 55. Works for me.

what temps are you pumping in methoxide? you should be seeing an exothermic reaction after adding your catalyst. due to quantity, our methoxide can reach temps close to 55C

methanol has a flash point of 11C which means unless you keep it below 10C it will always be evaporating. At roughly 64C methanol will boil posing health hazard and fire hazard. 40,000ppm to 50,000ppm in air is easy to achive with boiling meth.....beware these concentrations are fatal. MSDS limits safe working limits to 200ppm in open air for no more than 8 hours a day. 250ppm for not more than 1 hour a day.