methanol usage
 

I know the standard 1/5 ratio of methanol to WVO. Has anybody ever tried varying amounts of methanol? Methanol is about $7-8 gallon where I am and I wondered if anybody has had decent results with using less methanol.
I get incredible quality WVO from a vegetarian resturant. Stuff is honey colored and gorgeous. Sometimes I feel like stripping down and soaking in the stuff its so good.

but I digress

Been getting good results with the 1/5 and not really *****ing. Just curious if anybody tried using less methanol and the same amount of lye.

alcohol should never be used in a diesel. if I was blending fuels I would use a petroleum based solvent. Use that methanol to make biodiesel.


edit: Ohhh i thought you were blending. I just read the word lye and realized.


There is no guesswork involed in making biodiesel. You have to titrate each sample of vegetable oil and add the corresponding amount of lye and methanol (sodium methoxide). it varies from batch to batch.

The least you can use with good results is 18%. Are you buying by the 55 gallon drum? You dont say where you are located but I can get it here for $250 per 55 gallon drum, slightly under $5.00. A race track should have methanol at under $6 as well. Shop around, I think you can do better. If you are near a large city, look for chemical companies.

Getting it under $200 for 55 gallons right now. Also try methanol recovery to get some back and reuse it

I paid $273 with a $45 drum deposit in VT