[Biodiesel In Utah] Washing process

[nmentzer at comcast.net]

Hey Jason,

I have been only at this for a year or so, but I'll take a stab at it. I have learned to reduce emulsion problems by the following:
Good separation between glycerine and biodiesel (only wash the bio)
Warm bio and warm water (warmer is better)
Mist / gentle spray (nothing violent - very light mist)
Adequate distance between sprayer and bio (I use the 55 gallon standpipe washtank method, but I cut a 15 gallon drum in half and use that as extra height - like a "cap" or "raised lid" to the 55 gallon drum)
Complete reaction - pass 3/27 test
Dry oil, dry methanol (water creates more soap)

Does this help?

Nathan



-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Jason Kawakami" <jkkawakami at optellabs.com> 

> So, I have successfully processed two batches of bio through my processor 
> and both have been quite successful. Really happy about that. 
> 
> I promptly emulsified my first batch into 100 liters of glop and will try to 
> break it using the byproduct method from the web when the temp increases 
> this summer. 
> 
> My second batch was going down the same route when I stopped the 2nd wash 
> after a couple of hours. Only seemed to have lost about a gallon of bio from 
> that batch. Ran a third wash for about 4 hours and that seemed ok but I am 
> stressing about the washing process. 
> 
> My question really is; What am I doing wrong in the processing that is 
> making the washing process so dicey? 
> 
> My oil is titration to between 2.5 and 3 and I am using KOH as catalyst. 
> 
> jason 
> 
> 
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