Condensor Problem
#1
06-02-2009, 07:50 PM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near the ocean
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Condensor Problem
Well here we go again. Still having trouble pulling methanol from my BD and Glycerol.
Phydeaux, you suspect a bad condensor and I agree. I will give you specs on mine and maybe you can tell me what's wrong.
1. Outer container is 3"x24" PVC pipe with caps on both ends.
2. 5/16 Cu approx 10ft long coiled using a 1 1/4 pipe to coil it.
2. Cold water enters bottom of condensor and leaves top. (62F)
3. I pulled vacuum on line leaving condensor.
4. Condensor is vertical and located 4" below my evaporator.
5. I put small amount of BD or Glycerol in shallow pan and attempt to set fire to it. No luck which tells me the methanol is gone but where is it?
6. I have checked for leaks in the vaporizer.
7. Vapor enters top of condensor and exits? bottom.
I don't dare try to light vapor or whatever is leaving bottom of condensor.
Should I build new condensor or what?
Anyone with any credible suggestions are welcome.
Thankyou in advance Tom
Phydeaux, you suspect a bad condensor and I agree. I will give you specs on mine and maybe you can tell me what's wrong.
1. Outer container is 3"x24" PVC pipe with caps on both ends.
2. 5/16 Cu approx 10ft long coiled using a 1 1/4 pipe to coil it.
2. Cold water enters bottom of condensor and leaves top. (62F)
3. I pulled vacuum on line leaving condensor.
4. Condensor is vertical and located 4" below my evaporator.
5. I put small amount of BD or Glycerol in shallow pan and attempt to set fire to it. No luck which tells me the methanol is gone but where is it?
6. I have checked for leaks in the vaporizer.
7. Vapor enters top of condensor and exits? bottom.
I don't dare try to light vapor or whatever is leaving bottom of condensor.
Should I build new condensor or what?
Anyone with any credible suggestions are welcome.
Thankyou in advance Tom
#2
06-03-2009, 10:46 AM
Posting Guru
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: South Texas Coast
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From an earlier thread
Are you still doing initial heating in a vented drum?
If you are that is where your MeOH is going.
It boils at approx 150 degrees, heating to 180 degrees assures all MeOH has been vaporized and gone up the vent.
If you are worried about pressure install a pressure relief valve but close that vent.
If you are that is where your MeOH is going.
It boils at approx 150 degrees, heating to 180 degrees assures all MeOH has been vaporized and gone up the vent.
If you are worried about pressure install a pressure relief valve but close that vent.
#3
06-03-2009, 03:51 PM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near the ocean
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#4
06-03-2009, 05:59 PM
Post Fiend
I did not heat past 140F. Actually I sprayed it into a chamber at about 100F and vacuumed through the condensor. The last time I heated to 180F and did the same thing. Surely the fuel is vaporizing at that point.
Hey Don(Fabman) help me out explaining this will you. Thanks Tom
Hey Don(Fabman) help me out explaining this will you. Thanks Tom
#5
06-03-2009, 06:57 PM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near the ocean
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#6
06-03-2009, 07:04 PM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near the ocean
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From an earlier thread
Are you still doing initial heating in a vented drum?
If you are that is where your MeOH is going.
It boils at approx 150 degrees, heating to 180 degrees assures all MeOH has been vaporized and gone up the vent.
If you are worried about pressure install a pressure relief valve but close that vent.
Are you still doing initial heating in a vented drum?
If you are that is where your MeOH is going.
It boils at approx 150 degrees, heating to 180 degrees assures all MeOH has been vaporized and gone up the vent.
If you are worried about pressure install a pressure relief valve but close that vent.
#7
06-03-2009, 09:32 PM
Posting Guru
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: South Texas Coast
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tom
your condenser sounds fine.
My only change would be to orient it at 45 degrees, they seem to work better like that, altho not always. I do not understand the need for applying vacuum thru the condenser, the overpressure in the vapori chamber should be all you need. The vacuum may be counter productive.
Condensers are fairly simple systems but require strict attention to some basic physical laws. If you want to test your condenser boil some water in the chamber and see how much you recover.
To maximize efficiency the only route of egress for vapors must be thru the condenser.
If you are concerned about pressure install a saftey valve.
Do all of your heating in the vapor chamber because MeOH boils at 148.4 degrees, at sea level, thus as elevation increases BP drops.
While BP is 148 that doesn't mean vaporization begins at that temp. Just as water evaporates, vaporizes, from a pan at normal room temp MeOH will vaporize at temps far below the BP. As temp increases the rate of vaporization increases.
If you really want maximum recovery store your Glycerin and BD in a covered container before trying to recover the MeOH
your condenser sounds fine.
My only change would be to orient it at 45 degrees, they seem to work better like that, altho not always. I do not understand the need for applying vacuum thru the condenser, the overpressure in the vapori chamber should be all you need. The vacuum may be counter productive.
Condensers are fairly simple systems but require strict attention to some basic physical laws. If you want to test your condenser boil some water in the chamber and see how much you recover.
To maximize efficiency the only route of egress for vapors must be thru the condenser.
If you are concerned about pressure install a saftey valve.
Do all of your heating in the vapor chamber because MeOH boils at 148.4 degrees, at sea level, thus as elevation increases BP drops.
While BP is 148 that doesn't mean vaporization begins at that temp. Just as water evaporates, vaporizes, from a pan at normal room temp MeOH will vaporize at temps far below the BP. As temp increases the rate of vaporization increases.
If you really want maximum recovery store your Glycerin and BD in a covered container before trying to recover the MeOH
Trending Topics
#8
06-20-2009, 06:11 PM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near the ocean
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#9
06-21-2009, 09:04 AM
#10
06-22-2009, 09:29 PM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near the ocean
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#11
06-24-2009, 10:34 AM
Post Fiend
#13
07-06-2009, 08:06 PM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near the ocean
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#14
07-06-2009, 08:09 PM
Post Fiend
#15
07-07-2009, 09:40 AM
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Near the ocean
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
