Bad Batch
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From: Near the ocean
Bad Batch
I guess it happens from time to time. 
I think it was several things that caused it.
1. I failed to maintain 140 deg while mixing (it was exceptionally cold out)
2. I reused some recovered methanol and think I used too much of a ratio to new methanol. (5 gal recovered/ 21/2 gal new).
The bio looked like brown mud what should have been black glycerin.
I plan to mix it again. Should I use the same amount of methanol and KOH or should I use a reduced amount because I did it once already?
I am mixing 40 gallons.
Thanks
Tom D
I think it was several things that caused it.1. I failed to maintain 140 deg while mixing (it was exceptionally cold out)
2. I reused some recovered methanol and think I used too much of a ratio to new methanol. (5 gal recovered/ 21/2 gal new).
The bio looked like brown mud what should have been black glycerin.
I plan to mix it again. Should I use the same amount of methanol and KOH or should I use a reduced amount because I did it once already?
I am mixing 40 gallons.
Thanks
Tom D
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Chippewa Falls
The reaction will still happen at liwer temps. It will just need longer mixing time. I have processed Fuel at 120 F. How long did you mix for. With recoved methanol you should use 30% versus 20% or 22% like some people. When you recoverd the methanol did you keep the temp under 212 F to reduce water. If you still have the same oil in a container take another titration of it just to make sure you did it right. I made Glop before that I could not fix. We just burnt it in our furnace. You may want to put it in a Barrel and let it settle for a wile.
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Elder User
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From: Near the ocean
The reaction will still happen at liwer temps. It will just need longer mixing time. I have processed Fuel at 120 F. How long did you mix for. With recoved methanol you should use 30% versus 20% or 22% like some people. When you recoverd the methanol did you keep the temp under 212 F to reduce water. If you still have the same oil in a container take another titration of it just to make sure you did it right. I made Glop before that I could not fix. We just burnt it in our furnace. You may want to put it in a Barrel and let it settle for a wile.
I will titrate what I have and see what I get. My question is, after I titrate and determine how much KOH I need, do I still have to use the same amount of methanol? (7 1/2 gal) There should be SOME methanol in the mix right now even though some of it is not virgin. I don't know what will happen if I use too much methanol.
Thanks Tom
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From: Chippewa Falls
Here is a more acurate way. From what ive been reading is You need 1.4 grams koh to 35 ml methanol per litre of un washed fuel. Or 1.4 grams of koh to 50 ml of methanol to washed and dryed fuel. Heat the unreacted fuel up to 130f and add methoxide. Mix again for 1-2 hours. That should be it. Let us know
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Thanks to all for your input. I re-ran the mix today. I used 1 gal of new methanol and 1/2 lb of KOH mixed at 140 deg F for one hour and it came out fine. These instructions were given to me by Fabman after I called him. I was lucky enough to have a "open mixer" so I could watch the mix and add more KOH if need be.
According to Fabman, the recovered methanol I used had water in it and caused the batch an incomplete transesterfication. "After recovering methanol from glycerin, it is always best to heat the methanol to approx 195F and run through a condenser to burn off the water."
Tom
According to Fabman, the recovered methanol I used had water in it and caused the batch an incomplete transesterfication. "After recovering methanol from glycerin, it is always best to heat the methanol to approx 195F and run through a condenser to burn off the water."
Tom
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Paradise Found!
Thanks to all for your input. I re-ran the mix today. I used 1 gal of new methanol and 1/2 lb of KOH mixed at 140 deg F for one hour and it came out fine. These instructions were given to me by Fabman after I called him. I was lucky enough to have a "open mixer" so I could watch the mix and add more KOH if need be.
According to Fabman, the recovered methanol I used had water in it and caused the batch an incomplete transesterfication.
"After recovering methanol from glycerin, it is always best to heat the methanol to approx 195F and run through a condenser to burn off the water."
Not what I said Tom........
"After recovering Methanol from Glycerol, it is always best to heat the Methanol to 150-160 F and rerun through your condenser to Purify the Methanol.............
Tom
According to Fabman, the recovered methanol I used had water in it and caused the batch an incomplete transesterfication.
"After recovering methanol from glycerin, it is always best to heat the methanol to approx 195F and run through a condenser to burn off the water."
Not what I said Tom........
"After recovering Methanol from Glycerol, it is always best to heat the Methanol to 150-160 F and rerun through your condenser to Purify the Methanol.............
Tom
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From: Near the ocean
Regards Tom
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Tom
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From: Chippewa Falls
Here is a more acurate way. From what ive been reading is You need 1.4 grams koh to 35 ml methanol per litre of un washed fuel. Or 1.4 grams of koh to 50 ml of methanol to washed and dryed fuel. Heat the unreacted fuel up to 130f and add methoxide. Mix again for 1-2 hours. That should be it. Let us know
This is what I was Told. Now that you tried to fix it already I dont know.
