Plastic and Bio Diesel
 

Im getting ready to build my processor. I have some HDPE 55 gal drums that I plan on using for the the processor. My question is this, what kind of ball valves and piping can i use to make my connections. Is PVC ok? I know that some plastics dont play well with some of the chemicals used in Bio Diesel, but cant find which ones.

Plastic is not a very good choice for a processor. HDPE is only good to 140 deg, and since your temps are going to be close to this temp the plastic will deteriorate over time. PVC can be used for piping, but not CPVC. Most PVC valves are crap, and won't hold up. Your much better off using steel tanks, steel piping, and brass valves. I'm telling you this from experience. When I started over 4 years ago I used some PVC for piping, but soon decided that there was just to much risk involved.

I have not had any problems w/ my plastic tanks at all, but I do notice my plastic ball valves getting harder to set. I would go with brass ball valves. I have prossessed at least 500 gallons w/ no problems. The only car we use here is my 2006 f250. It has become the family car for everything.

The biggest danger with plastic is fire. We had a terrible fire in Salem a couple of years ago that started as a small paper fire in the guys shed. It was relatively small, but it melted a small hole in his plastic tank, and burned a PVC pipe in two. the release of 200+ gallons of bio fueled the fire, which destroyed his 2 car garage, and damn near burned his house down! If we are to continue brewing bio in a home environment without excessive regulation we must all try and work as safely as possible.

Use old propane tanks. I have two 125 gallon tanks. One to react and one to settle.

I have been making fuel in a plastic tank and havent had any problems

But then you haven't had a fire.
Plastic will burn or melt releasing any BD it contains and adding to a fire. Metal will contain the BD unless it gets very very hot.

the oil is only 120 degrees when you put it in the machine so I doubt it will start on fire at that temp

Pay attention to what they are telling you. The problem is not with the OPERATING temperature of the bio causing a fire, it is if SOMETHING GOES WRONG like a motor that overheats, an outside source of fire, an electrical short circuit, etc. The steel plumbing and tanks will prevent the bio from leaking out and becoming a fuel for a VERY large fire. As Fabmandelux said, we need to be safe with our processors or the govt will ban them and we will ALL be SOL. Tom

The main thing to take away from all this is SAFETY first