This is a link for an episode of Trucks on Spike! Very useful info!

 

I made a test batch of bio using a 5 gallon metal pail and an $8 water heating element (1500 watt) from lowes. My first 16 liter batch I dropped the heating element into the oil(oil does not conduct electricity) and brought the temp up to 160F. Then removed the element and set the 5 gallon bucket on my drill press table, set the drill press to the lowest speed and used a paint bucket stirrer to stir the oil. In a one gallon container I added 200ml of meth for each liter of oil and after testing the oil I added something like 4 grams of koa per liter. Once mixed- this produces a lot of heat and be careful of the fumes. I slowely added the meth mix to the wvo which produced even more heat while the wvo was stiring. After adding the meth I stired it for 30 mins then let it settle over night. Next day I poured off the bio diesel from the glyserion, mix the bio with 1/3 the amout of water and stirred it for 30 minutes. It was completly seperated in 30 minutes so I washed the bio 2 more time or untill the wash water was clear. My setup now is an open 55 gallon drum and a big dewalt drill. A good place for info is journey to forever.org. I follow their directions and for a starter kit look at duda diesel.com. The two most important things I learned from making bio is: wear gloved and DO NOT expose yourself to the KOA,METH, and the fumes. The second is tritrate your wvo 3 times to get and accurate ph. Very accurate measurements are the key in making bio. Hope this helps. I can post some pics of my test setup if it will help.

 

Do you test your PH levels of your oil before you even start?

 

ya, I got really good oil. I think I had to add only one gram of KOH per liter of WVO in addition to the 5.5 grams used to lower the ph of unused oil. My last 14 liter batch was 2.8 liter of meth and 112 grams of KOH. Slightly higher level of PH but I have been reading about glycerine washing and I'm going to give it a try when my bigger processer is complete. Hopefully Ill do a 30 gallon batch this weekend.

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yes, you have to. the amout of KOH you need to add is the base amout per liter(this depends on how pure your KOH is) added to the additional amount you have tested your oil for.
Since we know the ph of NEW oil. We take at amount (say 5.5grams) and add it to the results you get by runing a tritration test.

 

Sounds good! I know some guys that get WVO they can't even use for bio because the PH level is so high, it just costs so much in chemicals to get it where it needs to be it's almost not even worth it. I quickly ****** it up from them haha.

 

I was also reading about high PH levels in WVO. I saw an article that said something about using the glycerin from a prior batch of bio to lower the PH. If I find the link I'll post it here. Anyone else heard about this method of lower the PH?

 

I have never heard of that, but I have heard of an acid method for really high ph readings. Since the bio making process is an equlibrium I would think it would lower the yield unless maybe using an 80/20 method. This wouldn't work if you use a 5% pre wash.
Personally I have made bio from high ph oil and it yeilds less and produces more soap, just a regular pain in the butt.