What are the benefits of using seperate wash and dry tanks?

Starting to put together my processor and I don't see much benefit from having seperate wash and dry tanks other than the ability to wash a batch and dry another batch at the same time.

 

i was just going to put the finished by in my storage tank after I was done washing. of course I have a filter and water separator on that tank.

dry washing would be the better way to go. this is the route I am going.

 

I don't really want to dry wash, but I guess I should atleast check it out.

Figure I can do the wash and dry in the same tank.

 

I used to water wash, but decided to give the dry wash a chance and try it. did a pretty basic redneck filtering system and setup and I can honestly tell you it's faster, and even though takes a little setup it's cheaper by FAR and the quality of my fuel has vastly improved. the faster part is the best I can wash a batch of fuel from taking it out of the settling tank to into my truck in under 2hrs instead of a week with water wash. (or more if it didn't go well)

 

So dry washing will make higher quality fuel then?

I am not too worried about the time issue. I do want to make the highest quality fuel I can though.

Not sure what you mean by cheaper. Cheaper on setup?

 

OK, Let's check it out. Water-washing: If I follow most published directions I need to wash a MINIUM of 3 times with 30% water each time. If I want to make 90 gallons of bio I also now have 90 gallons of methanol contaminated water to dispose of. If everything doesn't work just right I now have an emulsion to deal with. If everything does go right with the wash I still have to heat the bio to drive off the suspended water.


Dry-washing with Magnesol: Drain glycerol, Mix in Magnesol for 30 min, Filter out Magnesol 1-2 hours, Use fuel.


We have learned to remove as much water before processing, why would you add water back into the fuel?

Water washing will ONLY remove water soluble compounds. It will not remove FFA's, or Glycerol.

Water-washing requires more time, energy, and disposal problems.


Magnesol is quick, economical, simple, and produces a WATER FREE FUEL.


Sorry...........It's a no brainer for me.

 

Ok, starting to see that dry washing is the better way to go.

So does the Magnesol remove excess methanol also?

Guess I better start searching about dry washing before I finish up my processor.

 

Yes Magnesol will remove methanol, but most find that if you remove the methanol first, the soap can be filtered out, and it takes half as much Magnesol.

More info: The Dallas Group of America, Inc.
Biodiesel Fuel Online-Using Magnesol For Biodiesel Processing


I posted a link to a You-Tube video that shows how it works here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6257105

 

thanks again guys, the scary thing is the fog is beginning to clear and this is starting to make sense.

 

What do you do with the filtered out Magnesol? Can it be recycled to use again?

 

It's non-hazardous waste and can be put in the garbage. I through mine on my compost pile, the garden loves it................and no it can't be recycled.