The B100-WH Reactor

You don't need fancy equipment to produce high quality biodiesel from virgin or waste/used vegetable oil (WVO/UCO) feedstock. What you need most of all is the desire to do it. Reactor/processors come in many shapes and sizes, and the best one is the one that works for you, that you have built yourself to give it that personal touch of individuality that cannot be found in any commercial product.

The size and dimension of your chosen reactor/processor will depend upon your needs, the volume that you foresee having to produce in order to sufficiently meet the demand for the vehicle(s) and/or engines that your efforts will power.

One very important factor in determining what kind of reactor/processor to build is whether or not it is "fumeless". Due to some toxic chemicals being used in the production of biodiesel it is only safe to have a reactor that is not open to the air as this will allow these toxic fumes to escape, and that could have a negative effect on your health and the health of those who will come in contact with the fumes during the processing of the biodiesel. Methanol is poisonous and lye is caustic, and their combination called methoxide is a caustic (corrosive), poisonous and flamable substance, so due precautions are necessary for the safe and pleasurable use of any biodiesel reactor.

We have chosen to use a "low boy" or "fat boy" type water heater as our reactor/processor. Water heaters make good fumeless reactors . We decided on a "stubby" type due to space limitations and this was the size that allowed us both the volume and size we were looking for. We make 80 liter batches with ours, but could go as high as 100 liters if so desired.

The original plumbing that came with the water heater was all removed, including the dip tube, anode rod and any other nipples or faucets/valves and were replaced by black iron fittings. Black iron because it is less likely to negatively react with the biodiesel in process.

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This is what we started with, not a pretty picture, but with a vision in mind things quickly started taking shape. Clicking on images will give the full size.

	Getting started with the new set up. A far cry better than the old one Much more room to work with. Right to Left : Reactor, Settling tank, Wash Tank, Drying tank

	Here are the electrical outlets. Everything is wired for 110V. The units using a water heater heating element are all connected using "twist lock" connectors. This is for safety purposes. Each tank has it own outlet and breaker switch.

	This is a stepped back view. On the right is the pre-heat tank. Followed by the methoxide carboy on the table. And then the reactor with the electrical outlets behind it. Notice the thermometer at the top "T".

	The drying tank. Pretty rustic, but functional. The biodiesel is pumped up from the StandPipe of the wash tank. And then it is dispersed by slits in the cross member hoses, and dried by the fan. The thermostatic control is for a titanium aquariuim heater that rides dead center to heat the biodiesel making drying easier.

	The plumbing for the drying tank. Once washed the biodiesel is sucked out of the StandPipe and up into the drying tank via a 1" clear water pump. When all transfered the pump then circulates the biodiesel, after being heated, to the upper section where the cross member slited hoses disperse the biodiesel and the fan can air dry it.

	The finished product. Some will have a more "yellow" tint but this will depend largely on the feedstock and method of processing

This is but one example of what can be done, even by someone with absolutely no experience whatsoever with many of the components, but properly motivated and with the generous help of the on-line biodiesel community, this has become a reality. A true collaborative effort, thanks to all who have freely shared their ideas and plans as well as advice on pitfalls and successes, it has made a big difference to the building on this unit.