Summary - BD reactor using UK water heater

This is the reactor as it is today. Still looking for a better filter drum on left. A 45 gallon heated drum is what I'm planning to add next. In the cold weather, the simple HDPE drum is too weedy and I'm reluctant to add much heat for fear of it deforming and dumping a load of roast-beef drippings all over the place.




Here is how I secure the tank into the frame. 40mm webbing, screwed in place with 40mm x 40mm x 40mm brackets. 4 screws, 50mm drywall types.




To prevent loss of methanol, I have a 1m long 15mm dia copper tube coming out the top of the tank. Any methanol escaping will condense and fall back into the reactor. Also keeps methanol fumes to a minimum. I may add a flexible hose to the top, to vent outside, for extra safety.

I added a branch-off which goes to the methanol/NaOH tank as a pressure equaliser.


Here's a list of parts I've bought for the reactor. I'll make a cross reference for screw-fix.co.uk, which seems to offer most parts via web shopping basket, which is good for those who aren't near a Wickes or B&Q

See also my recent modification to improve regulation of Meth flow into the oil stream.

I'm planning to replumb the wash tank like this ...



Also plan to get a few 'bendable' 3kW heater elements, 2.44m long, to experiment with, as they should have appreciably lower tendency to scorch the oil. Have a look at http://rswww.com and find the search box at the top of the page. Enter 200-1285 and click GO.

They also do some handy thermometers for our needs. No need to fit into the pipework, these thermometers clip onto the pipe and are less than a tenner each. Make sure you put some HMP grease on the pipe at the point the thermometer touches it, to get good heat transfer.



Again, go to http://rswww.com and search for part number 431-5621.


Another nice little item they do, which I find much better than my old balance scale is a little electronic scale, 0-200.0 grams in 0.1 gram increments.



Go to http://rswww.com and search for part number 478-4459. Only £38.00 !!

Here's a document on biodiesel by the US Dept. of Energy which makes fascinating reading. Loads of useful info on blends and physical properties, especially useful during winter.

Graham


You can email me at grahamlaming at hotmail dot com


Posted Dec 29 2005, updated 31 Dec 2005