Hi,

I have been mixing some bio with a blend of liquid and animal fat, say 80:20. Now that it is colder weather I have been having some trouble washing - doesnt matter what method. What is happening is there is some emulsion in the water that I drain - so I am continually losing small amount of fuel. The water doesnt seem to get much clearer either with successive washes.

So then I tried washing with very warm water (not boiling). The water settled fast, and was quite clear, and the fuel on top seemed clearer already.

Just wondering whether there were negatives to the warm water in the wash? Seems a great way to go with the fats, if not all the time.

Farmy.

Last winter I also had problems with cold water washing my bio, which was made from canola and rice bran oil. Like you, I found that warm water worked quite nicely. Since switching to air bubble washing, I don't have any problems with emulsions.

Downsides? The only one I can see is the energy you use to heat the water. That being said, you gotta do what you gotta do...

Justin

Emolsions is probably not what's happening. More like the bio is starting to gel with the cold.

I use a fish tank heater in the wash tank when that happens. Turned up as far as it goes and plugged into the same timer as the air pump.

Thanks Guys

Yeh you are spot on Qwarla. It is not an emulsion, it is simply the fuel getting trapped with the water when it is cold. When I use warm water the drained water is clear (which is obvious as less fuel is suspended in the water now), and separates really well from the fuel.

The other thing I have noticed is that the fuel is much clearer after my final wash and seems to be staying clear through the cold nights. It also clears up much quicker.

A great way to go in winter, particularly with winter fats. I read somewhere on another site that warm water is preferred when dealing with fats particularly as it stops emulsions and also stops fuel getting suspended in the wash water.
Cheers
Farmy