Building a 55 gal processor

Zetan,

I still suggest a water heater.  They are very well insulated and they 
have the elements, stats, wiring already in them.

Before you do anything, buy girlMark's Biodiesel book from 
LocalB100.com.  Read it and understand it.  There is a lot of mythology 
in the biodiesel world.  It's your responsibility to learn the science 
and be able to see thru the fog. 

Now that the rant is done, we have 55 gal drum based reactors at the 
coop site.  Call me if you want to come see them some Saturday when I am 
there.  Plan on putting in a half day's work at the coop.

Here are some considerations;

1. You will need to insulate them if you expect to heat oil in them - 
hence water heaters.
2. any processor should have a vent to the outdoors in order to be safe 
and fill and drain properly, so there will be no pressure problem.
3. water heater elements have 1" MNPT threads, so weld a coupling into 
the drum and you're done.
4. a cone bottom is not necessary if you plan to settle your processed 
batch in another container.
5. Don't even start a large processor until your are getting 100% 
results on the table top.  learn about and use the 3/27 test.
6. Look at these lists for a while to learn more about biodiesel and 
processors.
    [email protected]  -- or  ---  
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=447609751
You will find out more about safety, proper size of heating elements, 
proper piping materials, etc.
7.  There was a lot of chatter on line about a poor fellow who blew up 
his barrel reactor.  Fortunately no one was injured and there was no 
spill or property damage.  It appeared that he forgot to turn off his 
element before he drained his processor and the methanol fumes ignited 
when his water heater elements overheated and arced. A safety device 
that disables the elements if the liquid level in the processor is too 
low is a must.

Research is the best thing to do to prevent creating a problem for 
yourself. 

HTH,

Felix Kersting  503-969-5996 (evenings only)
Siteplan/processor upgrade lead