Bio Fuels Forums  

Go Back   Bio Fuels Forums > Australian Biodiesel > Making Biodiesel
Register FAQDonate Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Biodiesel Finder

Making Biodiesel This is the place to discuss any aspects of making biodiesel. Tips, techniques, equipment, supplies, storage, etc.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 3rd August 2008, 05:43 PM
Biofuels Forum Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3
hazza is an unknown quantity at this point
Newbie questions on BD conversion

I have a few questions that I did a search on and could not find the answers about BD conversion. I have tried to put them in some sort of order:
  1. Are there restrictions/recommendations on buying, transporting and storing the methanol?
  2. Where do you source WVO from? The local fish'n'chip shop?
  3. What is the conversion rate of WVO to BD? 50%? 75%? 90%?
  4. What are ALL the steps in converting WVO to BD? From pick up to filling the tank.
  5. Do you filter the WVO first? What with?
  6. Do you HAVE to heat the WVO or is it just to speed/aid the reaction?
  7. How you do dispose of the waste glycerine? At the local tip? Down the drain? On the lawn?
  8. What do you do with the water that you use to wash the BD? Down the drain? On the lawn? On the neighbours lawn?
  9. Do you convert a small amount of WVO to work out the right amounts of chemicals first? If so how much? 300ml? 1l? 5l?
  10. Do you convert in small batches or do it all in one large amount?
  11. How much? 10l? 50l? 200l?
  12. Once converted do you drain the BD from your conversion system?
  13. If you do, what do you store the BD in? jerry cans? plastic bottles?
  14. How much doe sit cost for the various conversion systems. I have been thinking about starting small and once I get more experience/confidence going larger.
  15. Once setup how much does it cost to produce BD?
  16. Does BD go 'bad'? If so how long can you store it?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 4th August 2008, 01:40 AM
Tony From West Oz's Avatar
Secretary of WA Renewable Fuels Asn
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: WA
Posts: 1,840
Tony From West Oz has been in the biodiesel scene for agesTony From West Oz has been in the biodiesel scene for agesTony From West Oz has been in the biodiesel scene for agesTony From West Oz has been in the biodiesel scene for agesTony From West Oz has been in the biodiesel scene for agesTony From West Oz has been in the biodiesel scene for ages
Send a message via Skype™ to Tony From West Oz
Re: Newbie questions on BD conversion

Hazza,
You have a lot of questions there.
You may find the answers faster by using the search facility on this forum, or by using Google to search within this forum (Advanced Search, put site URL into the "Search in Domain" field, then add your search criteria - search for phrase, and/or/not terms can be added too)

Here is one answer for you.
5. No, just strain out the big bits of food and any rodents which have drowned in the oil. You can use flywire to achieve this. Any other contaminants should be settled out into the byproduct layer when the conversion is complete.

Have fun getting greasy,
Tony
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 4th August 2008, 09:56 AM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 25
benjy is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Newbie questions on BD conversion

You will find a lot of answers here:

Welcome - Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial Website
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 4th August 2008, 11:38 AM
pangit's Avatar
Administrator
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 654
pangit is well known in biodiesel circlespangit is well known in biodiesel circlespangit is well known in biodiesel circlespangit is well known in biodiesel circles
Re: Newbie questions on BD conversion

Here we go again! Oh well, I'm in a good mood and I'm bored this morning so I'll give it a go. Just excuse the sarcasm in my responses to some of your dafter questions....
Quote:
Are there restrictions/recommendations on buying, transporting and storing the methanol?
Yes as it's a hazardous/flammable substance. It's usually printed on the side of the drums. I haven't heard of anyone being stopped from buying/transporting it though.
Quote:
Where do you source WVO from? The local fish'n'chip shop?
I get mine from my local post office.
Quote:
What is the conversion rate of WVO to BD? 50%? 75%? 90%?
About 80-90%
Quote:
What are ALL the steps in converting WVO to BD? From pick up to filling the tank.
Pick up WVO, wave magic wand, fill tank with pure perfect biodiesel.
Quote:
Do you filter the WVO first? What with?
Like he ^ said
Quote:
Do you HAVE to heat the WVO or is it just to speed/aid the reaction?
No but it makes it much quicker.
Quote:
How you do dispose of the waste glycerine? At the local tip? Down the drain? On the lawn?
Make lots and lots of soap!
Quote:
What do you do with the water that you use to wash the BD? Down the drain? On the lawn? On the neighbours lawn?
Down the drain for 1st couple of washes, then side of the house or stormwater drain for subsequent ones.
Quote:
Do you convert a small amount of WVO to work out the right amounts of chemicals first? If so how much? 300ml? 1l? 5l?
No I just titrate
Quote:
Do you convert in small batches or do it all in one large amount?
How much? 10l? 50l? 200l?
120L batches
Quote:
Once converted do you drain the BD from your conversion system?
If you do, what do you store the BD in? jerry cans? plastic bottles?
I use jam jars. I've built up a collection of over 3000 of them, and believe me it's a real pain filling them all up individually, but it's worth it as they look pretty all stacked up and don't do my back in when filling up the car.

I'm sick of all that jam though....
Quote:
How much doe sit cost for the various conversion systems. I have been thinking about starting small and once I get more experience/confidence going larger.
No point. Dimension it according to your fuel needs and space, and build your setup accordingly.
Quote:
Once setup how much does it cost to produce BD?
About $5/L if you take into account your own labour! (seriously)
Quote:
Does BD go 'bad'? If so how long can you store it?
Should be OK for well over a year. No reason you would want to store it that long as far as I can see.

As a general point Hazza, do your research and searching (not just on this forum, but other sites as well) before asking questions, then ask a few specific questions you are stuck on, rather than rattle off a list like that, most of which have already been answered numerous times already.

Otherwise you might find you get no responses except along the lines of "Google is your friend". I was just feeling particularly charitable this morning but normally I would not bother.
__________________
Sean
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 4th August 2008, 08:46 PM
maverick_sr71's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canberra, ACT, Australia
Posts: 134
maverick_sr71 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Newbie questions on BD conversion

What he said.
__________________
Maverick
Canberra
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 4th August 2008, 09:33 PM
Biofuels Forum Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Far North Queensland
Posts: 12
journeyman Mick is generally pretty helpful
Talking Re: Newbie questions on BD conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by hazza View Post
................If you do, what do you store the BD in? jerry cans? plastic bottles?.................
Quote:
Originally Posted by pangit View Post
....................I use jam jars. I've built up a collection of over 3000 of them, and believe me it's a real pain filling them all up individually, but it's worth it as they look pretty all stacked up and don't do my back in when filling up the car...................

I'm sick of all that jam though.....



Mick
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time now is 02:21 AM.



These biofuels forums are designed to service Australian Biofuel Users, but are also welcome to any groups, communities or individuals who wish to openly discuss biodiesel or bio fuels here.

This site has been created to promote biodiesel within Australia . Please also visit our other site - www.biofuel.org.au for further information on using biofuels in Australia.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC8