Can this be fixed?

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Apr 27, 2009 | 08:08 PM

Rushmore X

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From: Rapid City SD

Can this be fixed?

My partner was experimenting with water washing, and formed an emulsion. (I'm dry washing mine!) Anyway, we pumped out the reactor into a few smaller drums and let it settle out. Ended up recovering about 25 gallons of bio out of about 35. The recomended proceedure for dealing with this bio was to put it back in the reactor, heat it up, and let the water settle out. the water didn't seperate as was claimed it would do, was rather creamy. So the next recommendation was to break the emusion and get the water out by reintroducing glycerine from previous batches, heating it up, and draining the glycerine off.
As the reactor ran, and the temp went up, the mixture got thicker, to the point wher the venturi wouldn't work and I believe the pump is no longer drawing fluid. I shut the whole thing down down and am hoping that the heavier stuff will again seperate out and the pump will again work. Since our processor will run about 40 gallon batches, would it be advisable to try and add 5 more gallons of bio to the mixture in order to thin it? How about methanol?

Apr 27, 2009 | 09:37 PM

blieux1

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From: Bastrop, LA

Try adding some vineger to the mixture after draining the glycerine off.

Apr 28, 2009 | 06:53 AM

Rushmore X

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From: Rapid City SD

about how much? There is about 30 gallons of glop in the processor...

Apr 28, 2009 | 05:16 PM

blieux1

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From: Bastrop, LA

NOt for sure just add until it breaks up you can rewash and it will be ok

Apr 28, 2009 | 06:51 PM

Rushmore X

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From: Rapid City SD

I think I lucked out. After adding Glycerine it appears to be seperating. I will leave it alone overnight, then hopefully drain out the glycerine and be left with bio again.
Now I am waiting for Dallas group to get back to me on Magnesol prices...

May 4, 2009 | 09:09 PM

SkySkiJason

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From: N.GA Mountains

A little late on this, but I have broken some nasty emulsions putting 2/3 emulsion and 1/3 glycerin into cubies and almost watching it seperate after shaking it up. Also used salt water with good results. Warming it up should speed up the seperation.