http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=123307&d=1304290741

I'm so excited... Almost finished!!!

U running bio on ur dmax? What ratio u gonna run it at? I found anything over 40% bio and u loose a ton of power. But it cleans ur fuel system.

Good pictures, but how does it work? I have a 55 gal drum, how do I make one out of it.

Good pictures, but how does it work? I have a 55 gal drum, how do I make one out of it.

My design is based on the commonly used Appleseed Processor. http://www.brevardbiodiesel.org/EV/ev.html

What you can't really tell from the photo is that the drum is coned on the bottom (thanks to some heavy iron pipes and some patience).

In the side of the processor (pictured on the right) is a 5500w 240v water heater element that I'll run at 120v (1375watts).

The brass fitting in the photo is where a cheap automotive water temperature gauge goes.

The clear poly tubing is simply used as a site gauge.

The electrical "box" on the left side is a cheap water heater themostat to maintain 140F degrees in the tank.

The horizontal fittings in the bottom are 1. Air in from a fish tank bubbler, and 2. Finished fuel out which leads to a Holley fuel pump pushing fuel into a 10 micron diesel filter.

The vertical valve is to drain off glycerin and water.

The concept I'm going to use is pretty straight forward.

1. Heat oil to 140F degrees
2. Air mix oil for 15 minutes
3. Titrate oil
4. In a carboy, add 25% of total oil volume in drum and add in KOH per titration (Methoxide)
5. Slowly mix in Methoxide into the oil while the oil is at an air “roil.” Process should take about 30 minutes to introduce.
6. Air mix oil at a roil for 2 hours at 140F
7. Turn off heat and air mixer and allow oil to sit for 24 hours
8. Slowly drain off Glycerin
8a. Give Glycerin to auto buddies for parts cleaner
9. Slowly add in 2 gallons of fresh water and do not air mix for an hour and allow to sit for a bit. (The first wash will have the most soap, you need to be gentle. Use hot water; it will minimize the chance of emulsion. You don’t need to let it sit long, it will pick up soap right away, you can drain immediately)
10. Slowly drain off water.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 two more times.
12. Now let it sit for 24 hours, drain, then dry the fuel.
13. Using fuel pump, pump biodiesel into 5-gallon containers to transfer to truck.
14. Enjoy thumbing your nose at the big oil companies!


MY processor will work using this method. A 55 gallon drum probably won't work, as the volume of fuel is so much greater. It doesn't scale up well.

Here's the "roil" I created with the Fish Tank Air Bubbler: YouTube - ROIL2.MOV

It'll take about 2 hours to mix the oil properly with the methoxide... Then about 24 hours and I can pour off the glycerin.

Adjusted the water heater thermostat to maintain 135F (not hot in video).

Should be making my first batch Wednesday night!

U running bio on ur dmax? What ratio u gonna run it at? I found anything over 40% bio and u loose a ton of power. But it cleans ur fuel system.
I'm just curious about your statement about you loosing a ton of power if you run more than 40% of biodiesel. I notice hardly any power loss at all when I run B100 in my 2007 LBZ Duramax. I've been running biodiesel since the truck was brand new.

I'm just curious about your statement about you loosing a ton of power if you run more than 40% of biodiesel. I notice hardly any power loss at all when I run B100 in my 2007 LBZ Duramax. I've been running biodiesel since the truck was brand new.

I ignored his comment as I've run B100 from the filling station without power loss as well.

Sounds like he got some bad fuel or bad information somewhere and continues to pass it on.

I only notice power loss in my 5 cylinder Mercedes Sprinter especially towing the work trailer (14 ft cargo). The D'Max loves it as well as the 6.7 Cummins.

Let me know how your setup works out! It looks like it needs better agitation or mixing but I can only go off of what I've seen for the last 4 years. I have a soap test kit and will test it for you if you wish.

Awesome! You are on the right track.
Make sure your oil stock is dry (not a bunch of water in it)
I assume you will turn off the heater when processing? (I have debated the merits of this for years) I deliberately blew up a drum with an element failing. However, the element was in "dry air". Not in a solution.
Will your bubbler provide enough mixing?
Do you know about the 3/27 test?
I guess thats it. Wash, wash, then wash. Dry, filter and run it.

I have a slight mpg decrease on bio. Maybe 1 to 2 mpg. Tough to really tell. This is oh high blends. I ain't buying the huge power loss when running high concentrations.

Keep us posted.
Wags

Wags, there's an awesome Yahoo message group called "1earth" you should join. Great people sharing information on BD processing.

Yeah, I'm shutting off the heat at 135F.

I've attached a Word document outlining my process which Rick Bouvier helped me with.

Also attached is a spreadsheet outlining costs and weights based on titration.

Wags, there's an awesome Yahoo message group called "1earth" you should join. Great people sharing information on BD processing.

Yeah, I'm shutting off the heat at 135F.

I've attached a Word document outlining my process which Rick Bouvier helped me with.

Also attached is a spreadsheet outlining costs and weights based on titration.
They aren't a bunch of total tree huggers are they? Those type piss me off. LOL
Wags

Not at all. Very good information. Ask and ye shall receive. They all like to share knowledge.

Made my first mini batch tonight...

250ml WVO, 50ml Meth, 2.2g of KOH

Separation in 10 mins, this is a photo after 2 hours or so.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb199/onebadgmc/Biodiesel/IMG_0228.jpg

Woohoo, made my first batch in the drum.

8 Gallons of WVO that titrated to 3ml... 25% methanol (2 gallons) and 326g of KOH... 24 hours later and viola, we have fuel and glycerin!

Did a 3/27 test and it didn't emulsify or have any oil drop from suspension. Sample taken from the top of the drum.

Now, I'm thinkin I should pour off the glycerin and check a sample from the bottom before I start washing it.

Kick ass. Looks like you are on the right track. 3/27 test, wash and go! Enjoy the benefits of less than 1.00 fuel.
I like to say the first gallon cost almost 1k. Only .80 a gallon aftert that. ROFL.
Wags

I never took a top and botttom sample for the 3/27. I actually drain a cup or so while processing. Let it sit about 5 minutes and take the 3/27 sample from what I just took from the processor. Hope that makes sense.
That way I know my sample is reflective of what I have going on during processing.
Wags

Fortunately, my little 16 gallon processor, including all the initial gear and consumables, has stayed below 350.00 total start up cost.

I took the top/bottom samples 3 days ago. Both came out perfectly. Still in the process of washing it.

Fortunately, my little 16 gallon processor, including all the initial gear and consumables, has stayed below 350.00 total start up cost.

I took the top/bottom samples 3 days ago. Both came out perfectly. Still in the process of washing it.
AWESOME!
So, you make 10 gal of fuel. Heck, that is 1/3 tank. or right now 40 bucks!
Keep us posted.
Wags

If you make the same amount of biodiesel everytime,do you have to do the "chemistry" for every batch?

Yes, because you don't know how many heat cycles are on the oil or pounds of fish they made that week. Thus you don't know how 'used up' it is without doing the titration.

Well, how is progress going? Running on bio yet?
Wags