BioDiesel

[BMFScout]

I filter it in stages from 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, and 2 microns before it even goes into the truck...the fuel filter in the truck is nominally rated for 10 microns so its filtered cleaner than the truck would before it even goes into the fuel system

...and yes, i know i could just turn it off, but with a little one in the truck sometimes the climate control is required when idling

what does the filtration set up look like?

[rockfrawg]

before i begin to process the oil is heated to 150* which is the thermostatic limit of my water heater. I circulate it at that temp with the element engaged to hopefully remove as much water might've been in the oil from sitting in the collection tanks, but i havent had any problems w/ too much water content yet.

adding water the first time while processing (before moving to settling tank) stops the reaction and helps remove some of the soap that would have been suspended in the biodiesel. it settles out w/ the glycerol and makes the washing process a bit easier. the second time adding water is the "washing" phase...mixing removes any more soaps which can clog the filters. after the wash phase when it is recirculated and sprayed thru the air it "dries" the biodiesel and lets any remaining water evaporate.

i've got plenty of glycerol sitting around. i've been in contact with the village creek water processing plant and am hoping to dispose of it there in their anaerobic digester...its the only "proper" method of disposal i can find that is environmentally sound. I'm not all that interested in making soap, but i can definitely speak for the awesome degreasing properties it has (its pulled up whatever coating was on my garage floor before i bought this place).

I ordered some more bag filters today, including a two stage 5/1 micron filter to make the stuff even cleaner.

and no...havent destroyed any more gas meters in a while...actually cant remember the last time i was involved in any reckless destruction...hmmm...

[rockfrawg]

what does the filtration set up look like?

the filters on the pump, Goldenrod 10 micron canister filter, and a Wix 2 micron spin on


the bag filters look like this...the one you see is the 25 micron, theres a 50 micron inside it. before it goes into this tank it goes thru the 200 and 100 stacked as such.

[robertf03]

How many batches do the filters handle?

Have you looked into filtering used engine oil and adding it to the mix?

[rockfrawg]

The two micron spin on will do about 100 gallons, the 10 micron cartridge filter does more, but i havent officially clogged it up yet. the bag filters are washable, turn 'em inside out and backflush with water and ajax and every couple of times throw 'em in the washing machine. The bag filters i just ordered are me trying to deal with clogging the 2 micron spin on so often. I really want to get everything out before it goes thru those two and just have them as a safety catchall on the way to the truck and not have to use them for actual cleaning.

i've seen some wives tales of mixes of something like 20% gasoline, 5% diesel and 75% used engine oil...or something like that...I dunno what it would do but I havent seen any reliable information. doesnt sound like anything i'd wanna put in my `06.