How full to fill my appleseed? - Diesel Forum

mrmedic · 01-02-2008, 09:35 PM

My system will have 38 gallon short water heater. How much oil can I process at one time? 30 gallons of WVO + 6 gallons of methoxide = 36. Is the 2 gallon space left over enough to allow for expansion, foam, etc?

yaric008 · 01-02-2008, 11:43 PM

Sounds good to me. Only way to find out is to try [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif[/img]

You shouldn't get much foam or anything and expansion surely won't be 2 gallons. If you're going to do methanol recovery 2 gallons of space will likely be sufficient.

mrmedic · 01-03-2008, 01:13 AM

Methanol recovery by plumber's delight and vacuum is the plan. Key words "the plan". [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

Spencnaz · 01-03-2008, 12:49 PM

Here's an even better method.

You have a 30 gallon water heater right? You need as much head space above the fluid for good mixing. Since you don't have an in-tank agitator, you are going to have to rely on the circulation pump for mixing.

22.75 gallons of oil with 5 gallons of methoxide. This way you are certain you have the right amount of methanol by using 1 5 gallon can of methanol. That will give you 27.75 gallons total of liquid volume.

I've used this method for years with my smaller reactor and it works like a charm.

ToddT · 01-03-2008, 08:42 PM

I suggest filling the water heater and draining it out to find out exactly how many gallons it really holds. I had one that they told me was a 50 gallon tank but it didn't hold nearly that much. One way to find out... fill it and drain it into a container of known volume.

mrmedic · 01-03-2008, 08:48 PM

Spencnaz: Thanks for the idea on using a full can of methanol. If I adjust my metnanol lower, I'll adjust my oil to use 1 full 5 gallon can. Didn't even think of that, I have 5 gallon carboy. Adding 1 gllon to the mix would have been a pain.

Todd: good idea, better to find out now rather than after while its overflowing onto the floor.