Galvanized pipe is ok ???? - Diesel Forum

DIESELMIESTER · 01-01-2006, 10:41 PM

Hi everyone and happy new year. I have been looking at reactor and water wash plans for Bio- Diesel and they suggest the use of black or galvinized pipe. I have always known for example that you cant put diesel in the older metal gas or jerry cans if galv inside because the zinc gets into the fuel and ends up hurting the injector nozzles. Am I crazy and completely wrong?,Or Is BD different so this isnt an issue? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

Spencnaz · 01-01-2006, 10:53 PM

I would recommend against galvanized pipe for a biodiesel reactor, all my research on the subject says to stay away from it.

You seriously would not want zinc accumulating on your injectors.

ToddT · 01-02-2006, 08:40 AM

Or, when they get gunked up... sell them on eBay as 'zinc enriched injectors.' Yeah, that's the ticket! They've been 'fortified' with zinc.

Spencnaz · 01-02-2006, 12:43 PM

At least the injectors won't get the flu since they come with their own Zicam.

ak_cowboy · 01-02-2006, 01:53 PM

You can use zinc, just have to put a torch to it until it changes color thus burning the galvanization off. That is what I use on my reactor.

tpendergraft · 01-02-2006, 05:37 PM

The only 3/4" hose barbs I can find at Lowes/Home Depot are galvanized but I used black iron everywhere I could except for the brass ball valves. I guess that is OK.

tpendergraft · 01-02-2006, 07:13 PM

So is it OK...? I have similar concerns about using galvanized materials in the biodiesel process.

BlueMule · 01-02-2006, 07:27 PM

If you're concerned about the zinc on the hose barbs you can use muriatic acid to dissolve it.

I know diesel will dissolve it but I have never seen where biodiesel will.

Just out of curiosity I just put a galvanized steel pipe nipple in a jar of B99 to see what it does.

rcdallas · 01-02-2006, 08:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The only 3/4" hose barbs I can find at Lowes/Home Depot are galvanized but I used black iron everywhere I could except for the brass ball valves. I guess that is OK.

[/ QUOTE ]

At my local Lowe's in a different aisle from the ball valves and such, they have a dark grey plastic 3/4" hose barb. I have plenty of them and work great. I've also picked some at Tractor Supply as well.

frobozz · 01-03-2006, 10:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
You can use zinc, just have to put a torch to it until it changes color thus burning the galvanization off. That is what I use on my reactor.

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe you would want to be upwind of that operation at the time, though. Seriously, those would be some viciously harmful fumes coming off of there.

Duncan

Spencnaz · 01-03-2006, 11:45 AM

Either that or a self contained breathing apparatus so that you dont breathe those zinc fumes.

I just steer clear of galvanizing when methanol or a hydroxide compound is circulating through the system.