3 layers

[slboson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slboson]

I just tried koh for the first time. I used oil from kfc and it had a low titration about 1.4. I also tried to use a device to mix my catalyst. I look bad now that I am thinking about it you should only try one new thing at a time. Well any way I have 3 layers in tank the tope one smells like methanol the middle is cloudy and the bottom looks to be glycerin or dark BD. Is there any way to recover this it is about 40 gallons?

[Tony From West Oz Vice Chairperson of WARFA Find all posts View Profile Close Tony From West Oz]

Re: 3 layers

I just tried koh for the first time. I used oil from kfc and it had a low titration about 1.4. I also tried to use a device to mix my catalyst. I look bad now that I am thinking about it you should only try one new thing at a time. Well any way I have 3 layers in tank the tope one smells like methanol the middle is cloudy and the bottom looks to be glycerin or dark BD. Is there any way to recover this it is about 40 gallons?

Keep it covered in the meantime to reduce methanol loss through evaporation.

What was the total amount of KOH you used, per litre of oil? I would expect that, for >90% purity, you should use 7.7g/l as the catalyst amount, + titration amount of 1.4 = 9.1 g/l.
What was the Methanol %? I recommend that, for high conversion, 20 - 25% should be used.
What was the mixing temperature? Each 10°C rise in reaction temperature halves the reaction time. At 50°C, I have read that the reaction takes less than 20 minutes.
If you have followed these guidelines, try re-mixing it thoroughly for an hour or so at 50°C.

[slboson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slboson]

Re: 3 layers

I use 20% methanol and 5 g/l koh I think your right I need more koh. but how do I add should I dissolve in methanol the add or just add the flake and it will dissolve while mixing

[pangit Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close pangit]

Re: 3 layers

You definitely didn't use enough KOH. It requires more than NaOH as Tony says, but it's nicer to work with.

I would definitely mix it with methanol first. I don't think it will work if you try to add it directly to the half reacted WVO. If you are trying to salvage the same batch it might be a good idea to drain off as much glycerin as you can, mix the rest all up again, do another titration then another full reaction with 22% methanol and 7.7g/l KOH + titration.

[slboson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slboson]

Re: 3 layers

thanks for all the help i recovered all 40gallons thanks agian