Test Results and plans for fuel production

Sorry I have been out of touch. I've begun working (for pay) and have  
little time for anything else.. Here is the task list from our  
meeting on Sunday. If your name is on the list of tasks, please  
contact me so we can coordinate your availability. If you are unable  
to complete a task assigned, let me know.

Zan and I completed table top tests last week. We spent a total of  
around 8-10 hours carefully running specific tests to identify our  
problems. I will send a separate email with those results. The  
findings from those tests are as follows:

1. Our KOH on-site is good.
2. The reasons for the last three problem fuel batches have been found:
	a) mayonnaise was caused by deficit of lye in a batch; incomplete  
lye = incomplete reaction
	b) incomplete reactions caused not enough methanol AND high amounts  
of water in oil
3. We have confirmed the correct proportions to get good results on  
the table top. This includes 7.78 as our base amount for lye; 22%  
methanol per volume of oil
4. heat of reaction is not as critical as water content of oil
5. Ambient heat during the settling period after reaction is not  
critical.
6. water content in oil has been our CHIEF culprit since the weather  
cooled; significantly less amounts of water have settled to bottom of  
our oil totes. We MUST get this water out of the oil before reacting.

Here is the current plan:

1. Finish preparations this week for a test batch on Saturday
2. React a batch this Saturday. Heat and drain water from oil before- 
hand.
	a) We're going to react 45.5 gallons of oil with 10 gallons of  
methanol (this gives us 22% meth./oil)
	b) we will not be doing a prewash
	c) we need to ensure we are mixing methoxide slowly and thoroughly  
to maximize the reaction.
3. Meet sometime to discuss attacking the water issue long-term.

(Names in parentheses are meeting attendees responsible for getting  
task assigned)

Steps to prepare for this weekend:

Make new KOH solution - Tamar (Zac)
Purchase air compressor for 30 psi pump - Karen
Add mark on reactor site glass for 45.5 gallons/ 47.5 gallons (for  
water injection level) - volunteer (Pete)
Check methoxide mixer capacity for 11 gallons - volunteer (Pete)
Fit reactor with valve for injecting water - Greg R. (Zac)
Finish 1st settle tote plumbing - Felix (Zac)
Finish wash/dryer plumping - Greg/Felix (Zac)
Add thermometer to reactor - Felix (Zac)
Test heating elements oil heater #2 - Zan (Zac)

– Felix indicated that he will install thermometer this Saturday.
– I tested the heating elements in both oil heaters #1 and #2. Both  
measured a low resistance. Need to have Zan test voltage across them,  
but we are set to heat oil in heater #1 for now.
– We need a way to measure and introduce our 5% prewash water into  
the reactor. For this weekend, however, I recommend that we DONT do a  
prewash. Let's let the reaction take as long as it can. We will  
reintroduce the prewash after we've made some good fuel. It is not a  
critical step and may be hurting us with cold ambient temperatures.
– Pete: We have pots on site and a hot plate. I checked Sunday  
afternoon after you left.

On Feb 19, 2007, at 8:18 AM, Kramer, Peter wrote:

> Zac,
>
>
>
> Since I have a hard time remembering things like photo-copying your  
> notes, I get to test my memory on items I was responsible for.   
> Here goes:
>
>
>
> I am primary for securing a small (~1 qt) pot for oil/water boiling  
> test
> I am to send an e-mail out to get coop involvement to get/do:
> Get an air compr to handle a 30 psi air pump
> Ask Greg R to pick up thermometer from Felix and install?.. (not  
> sure about this one)
> Finish valving at oil heaters inside Konex? (not sure about this one)
> Get a 1” to 3/4” threaded fitting for water pre-wash into processor
> Calibrate processor for a 45.5 gal line, tape it and label it
>
>
> Are we saying we want all of these things done before next Sat?..   
> Just want to make sure I properly request.  Let me know if I mis- 
> wrote something or missed anything else I was responsible for.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Pete
>
>
>
>
>
> Peter Kramer, LEED® AP
>
>
>
> BAS Sales Engineer
>
> TRANEOREGON
>
> 503-620-8031
>
> DIR 503-431-2541 | FAX 503-639-1454
>
> [email protected]
>
>
>
> www.TraneOregon.com <http://www.TraneOregon.com>
>
>
>
>

_______________________________________________
mixmasters mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.gobiodiesel.org/mailman/listinfo/mixmasters