How to turn plastic waste into diesel fuel cheaply

[mjohnson1]

because im interested to make some unit/units that can convert all domestic waste. Having a zero waste household.

Anyway I have another concern. I was wondering what would be the most optimal way to ddesign a reactor so least possible heat escapes. In other word -how to construct the reactor so the maximum of the heat is being used and not dispersed?

Here on the picture i designed what I was thinking about. What do you think of it? How do you perceive it ? Do you know of more convenient ways to build optimat heat absobtion reactor ?


what about inner heating source - what is the best heater for inner heating and will it make enought temperature - 450 - 500c ??

The most efficient way that i've came across is copying an electric kiln design. With electric heating coils you don't have to worry about oxygen for a fire and you'll be able to close it all up. The bad part is electricity is more expensive (at least here it is) than natural gas or LPG.

If you use the alumina firebricks for holding the electric coils you won't have to worry about it melting the fiberglass.

Personally, I would only use electricity for small testing retorts under 4L in capacity.

[lowriderzzz]

The most efficient way that i've came across is copying an electric kiln design. With electric heating coils you don't have to worry about oxygen for a fire and you'll be able to close it all up. The bad part is electricity is more expensive (at least here it is) than natural gas or LPG.

If you use the alumina firebricks for holding the electric coils you won't have to worry about it melting the fiberglass.

Personally, I would only use electricity for small testing retorts under 4L in capacity.

what about bigger units. what would you use for heating lets say 20,30, 50 Litters ?

[imakebiodiesel]

Im using a kerosene burner of the type used here commonly for house heating . They are cheap and reliable and allow me to use my own fuel.
At the moment I just use it for heating the retort but the waste flue gases could also heat the reflux column and the first condenser. The off gases could also be used but its difficult to combine a continuous gas flame with a cycling on and off kerosene flame. Difficult but not impossible.
To see details of the kerosene burner do a search for "Riello series 40 burner".
I will shortly post a video to utube of my latest processor. watch this space.

IMB Biodiesel Processors

[mjohnson1]

what about bigger units. what would you use for heating lets say 20,30, 50 Litters ?

I use LPG right now for my test unit and larger unit. I have a LPG tank with a high pressure regulator hooked up to a high BTU cast iron cooking stove which sits under the retort and heats it.

Natural gas would be ideal here in the USA since it's fairly inexpensive but it's more hassle than it's worth to save a bit of $$.

[imakebiodiesel]

Lpg or natural gas is very easy to control and its an easy matter to feed the off gas back into this type of heater. I used LPG for my first small unit and I couls control the cracking temperature to within 3 degrees. However natural gas is not available here and LPG is too expensive for a larger processor.

[imakebiodiesel]

You may want to watch this video describing my latest processor and showing it in action.

Waste plastic to kerosene fuel - YouTube

IMB Biodiesel Processors

[Excalibur]

You may want to watch this video describing my latest processor and showing it in action.

Nice video, thanks for sharing

[mjohnson1]

You may want to watch this video describing my latest processor and showing it in action.

Waste plastic to kerosene fuel - YouTube

IMB Biodiesel Processors

Very well done video & your rig looks great.

[fibuslitero]

Thanks for sharing

You may want to watch this video describing my latest processor and showing it in action.

Waste plastic to kerosene fuel - YouTube

IMB Biodiesel Processors

[fibuslitero]

Hi Imakebiodiesel:
When you fill the reactor at 2:25 I can see the upper part.
Is the circular joint built in or is it an external graphite joint?.
In this case how many runs does it last?.
Thank you very much.

You may want to watch this video describing my latest processor and showing it in action.

Waste plastic to kerosene fuel - YouTube

IMB Biodiesel Processors

[imakebiodiesel]

The flange seal is a separate graphite and stainless steel gasket rated at 1000c @100bar. It cost me 6 euro to have it made and so far I have used it for 6 batches with no leakage.
The trick with seals of this kind is to rub a little graphite powder or talc on the top surface so that the lid does not stick to the seal. That way you do not tear it apart when removing the lid. With care I should think Ill get 10 - 20 batches per gasket.

[fibuslitero]

Thank you very much for the information
Using powder is a very interesting trick...

The flange seal is a separate graphite and stainless steel gasket rated at 1000c @100bar. It cost me 6 euro to have it made and so far I have used it for 6 batches with no leakage.
The trick with seals of this kind is to rub a little graphite powder or talc on the top surface so that the lid does not stick to the seal. That way you do not tear it apart when removing the lid. With care I should think Ill get 10 - 20 batches per gasket.

[jonathan]

retort catalyst

Blest Company: Plastic into Oil - buildaroo.com - YouTube what about this machine? l mean id doesnt have catalyst?

[imakebiodiesel]

The Blest company dont give any information about their process so I really dont know. I have however examined their price list and their prices are frankly ridiculous.
It would be possible to assemble a processor like mine for around 1000 euro.

[imakebiodiesel]

Some one emailed me to say that the link to the video on the last page did not work for him. Here it is again , I hope its ok this time.

Waste plastic to kerosene fuel - YouTube

IMB Biodiesel Processors