I am looking at building a BD processing unit?
What metals does BD react with?
What happens if galvanised steel is used in the reaction tank or pipes?
What about copper.?

Thanks
CR

Carlos,
Welcome to the forum.
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Regards,
Tony

Hi Carlos,

I am not an expert when it comes to BD. But I have read it in different places that Gal steel reacts to BD.

My BD friends are using hot water system, plastic or 44 galon steel drums.

Good luck with your search.

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Fitian
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Hi Carlos,
There is no problem with biodiesel reacting with the metals you mention but there might just be a problem with the methanol/caustic soda mix used in the reaction attacking them. There is no problem with a steel reaction vessel (processer) in my experience and my pipe fittings are brass - again, no visible reaction. I would recommend a plastic vessel for making your methanol/caustic soda (or Potassium Hydroxide if you are planning to use that) rather than a metal container made from anything other than stainless steel.
Have fun!
Richard

I have read copper is not recommended for Biodiesel as it affects the "Oxidation Stability" of Biodiesel.

Regards,

Arie

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I have had a bad experience with using galvanised steel for a fuel tank in my first veggie conversion. The oil reacted with the zinc over a long period of time and caused excessive filter blockages.

It was not a biodiesel reactor and oil was in the tank for over 3 months before issues developed.
I am not saying that it is OK to use Galvaniased steel as it can cause issues.

I know of many people using reaction vessels made from copper to make their biodiesel.
Many other people are using 200L drums as their biodiesel processors. I have not heard of any problems with fuel made in [rocessors made of either metal.
There may be long term storage issues with biodiesel made in these processors, but most home made fuel is used rapidly.

The ideal reaction vessel should be made from non-reactive and stable material.
Stainless Steel is probably the best for a "Rolls Royce" reactor, with a HDPE cone bottom tank more likely to be affordable.


I hope this helps,
Tony

The bio will do the same thing and strip it off of the metal and settle in the bottom of the tank into a grey sludge. My old trucks galvenized fuel tank did that after the about 5 or 6 tanks of b100 in a

Hi Guys,

I suspect your supposed stripped off galvanizing inside your truck fuel tank is more likely to be cleaned off gunge from years of petro diesel. Vehicle fuel tanks which are actually made from metal are generally zincanneal (electroplated zinc, as opposed to hot dipped into zinc as for galvanizing). I have been using B100 in three of our vehicles for years (47,000k's in the Cressida diesel over a 19 month period with not even so much as a fuel filter change in that time, and about 60,000k's in the coaster bus with only one change of fuel filter about 500km from when I started using bio). Bio is a great cleaner, especially if the fuel is processed but not washed to clear it of excess caustic soda.

Have a good day.

Spanner

I would have normally said yes you are correct. However, I had run several tanks through it and the gunk that came out at first was brownish black(not glycerin) and then about a year later the tank had to be pulled and a silvery sludge was in the bottom of the tank. One of the tanks actually needed to be replaced because I couldn't get all of the crap out of it at one time.

I believe that diesel also reacts with metallic zinc, so OEM fuel tanks are unlikely to be galvanised.

I have had a problem with WVO in a home made fuel tank made of galvanised iron. The fuel filter blocked repeatedly with a grey, "sago pudding" consistency substance. It was explained that the oil, a weak organic acid was reacting with the metallic zinc, forming a salt of the Zinc and triglycerides.

I drained the tank, washed with petrol and then acid washed the tank to remove the zinc. Hey presto, no more problems.

Regards,
Tony