G'day ive been making a few half litre batches of bio and getting quite confident and am about to go bigger.
Just a few questions regarding larger set ups. Ive tried searching and all the rest so i thought id ask.

1) Is using a electric stirrer to mix the WVO with methoxide dangerous? (ive attached a photo of the set up in question.)
If it is how else should i mix the brew?

2) How important is it to heat the oil when mixing in the methoxide?
If so what does everyone use to do this and how do you maintain a steady temperature.

3) Im finding it difficult doin the blank titration, the fluid does not seem to go pink instead more yellow then a dark red. (using phenyl red) When should i stop adding titration fluid?

4) Also can i store the titration fluid in a plastic bottle so i dont have to mix up another lot everytime?


Thanks, any help will be much appreciated.
Cheers CHris

Attached Thumbnails

 

Hey Big
IMHO I would propable try to get my hands on an old hot water heater (electric) as it has the heat element, has a reacting cylinder, is sealed, insulated and there is minimal risk of anything ignighting the meth. I am currently making it the same as your picture except it is in a 20L drum, but the mixer I run is on a pully with the electric motor well away from the drum. I have wraped up the drm is ac duct insulation to keep the heat in. This setup is only temp as I have a 80L electric HWS and am preparing to build an appleseed/ GL1 day processor. These reactors are easy to build and reasonably safe, besides why build one from a drum when you can get a HWS that is almost complete? Here is what I am building:
GL's Eco-System state diagram
This guy know his stuff. There is alot of good info here.
Cheers
Chaos

In theory there is a risk of the sparks from the drill igniting the methanol fumes, but I believe it is a very slight risk, which can be minimised by good ventilation and/or a fan blowing the fumes away while it is operating.

In my opinion as long as you are fully aware of the potential dangers and do as much as you can to reduce them (in your operating procedures as well as your design) you will be fine.

However every time safety concerns are raised in this forum there are one or two people who pipe up and love to paint a picture of doom and gloom. It's certainly the case that a majority of home made setups would not pass commercial OH&S regs, but as long as you take full responsibility of your safety and those around you, I believe the dangers are somewhat overstated.

__________________
Sean

Thanks for the quick replys guys.

I think i will use this setup carefully for now but after doing some research i think i'll go down the The "GL Eco-System" road thanks NO1CHAOS for the link.
And i will use that drum in the photo as a settling drum.

I think i will use a HWS but how does a HWS have a cone shaped buttom tho?
I cant see it.

Cheers Chris

turn it upside down

__________________
Cheers
Nick.

Roidio 2001 Holden Rodeo 4x4 2.8L TD. 2.5" Straight through exhaust sytem, heat exchanger shower system. 2" Body Lift,
And lots of fruit, B100 for 25,000 no problems.

Elsa 1983 Mercedes-Benz W123 300D. The Fastest Merc in Oz, Loving B100 Burgers