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How to turn plastic waste into diesel fuel cheaply
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jonathan
I think you should:
1/. check there is no blockage
2/. Remedy the sensor leak
3/. Fit a thermocouple to reflux
4/. Ensure bubbler is operational after last condenser
5/. Waste oil as feedstock while you diagnose
Start the heat. Look for bubbles @bubbler. Any water in the oil will turn to steam and bubble around 100*C and could be vigorous. Then a period of calm in bubbler before gases come. Aim for 400*C in retort, 300*C in reflux. Bubbles indicate gas flow. Heat in reflux and pipework indicate gas flow.
Bring heat up slow and steady. Avoid rapid increases in temperature.
The figures given are approximate so tweak from there.
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retort problem
thanks excalibur l have digital tempreture controller but l have proplem with sensor it leaks gas l will upload pics so for my pyrolysis system did you think my proplem was from heat? reflux tower was so hot after 1 hour but the top of reflux and pipe that exit to first condensor was normal l leave my hand on it so if you can help me did l want to have pipe from top reflux to first condensor to hot let say 260 degrees celsius? thanksAttached Files
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martijn0001
BB is probably referring to Anti galling compound, an anti-seize product often used on threads. I'm not able to recommend the types: Loctite nickel antiseize or Copr Kote for the task. On each occasion both have migrated out of the thread causing leakage. Both become "runny" with heat.
jonathan
Thanks for the photo. You've put in a lot of work!
Insulation would greatly improve the efficiency.
Temperature monitoring is the key. The retort really needs a thermocouple. At a pinch, for the reflux you could use an old oven gauge from a coal range which are simple bimetallic. Other places where temps are much lower, cheap digital gauges are useful.
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Originally posted by Beyond Biodiesel View PostAnti-gal compound on a tapered thread fitting has been known to work up to 1200F (650c). Sodium Silicate is good to about 1200F (650c) also. Otherwise, I agree with Excalibur flanged fittings with graphite composite seals, or metal-to-metal seals, are best. Brass fittings will work up to about 700F (370c), above that steel or stainless steel is best.
For my "door" to the reator i have a 6" flange with a stainless steel/graphite seal that should be good to 500°C.
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Originally posted by martijn0001 View Posthi all,
1st, thanks everybody for sharing this kwowledge; it's inspiring!!
i have been preparing and reading for a while, read the 1st 6 pages of the forum from a to z and randomly a lot as well; cant find what to use to seal the threads; teflon tape loctite 5770?? thanks
got my bubbler, 1st condenser and coolpipe ready, i attached a pic
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Welcome martijn0001
Threads, like pipe threads at the retort and reflux area don't seal with Teflon tape or Loctite 5 series. There's too much heat for those. They deteriorate quickly and leak gas and condensate. This poses fire risk plus strong, objectionable smell.
I don't use pipe threaded fittings in the 200*C+ hot areas now in favor of flanges with taper seal or solid copper gasket. Also welded-on mac unions work OK.
I looked for the thread seal ideas from members posts and there's been a number of posts especially in recent times. I couldn't find any but memory says some kind of furnace cement and sodium silicate aka water glass are known to hold up ok.
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thread seal
hi all,
1st, thanks everybody for sharing this kwowledge; it's inspiring!!
i have been preparing and reading for a while, read the 1st 6 pages of the forum from a to z and randomly a lot as well; cant find what to use to seal the threads; teflon tape loctite 5770?? thanks
got my bubbler, 1st condenser and coolpipe ready, i attached a picAttached FilesLast edited by martijn0001; 10-27-2013, 07:24 PM.
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retort problem
thanks so much excalibur my vapor from retort to condensor is downstream l notice that bubbler was not bubbling and when l open my condensor tap l hear some air presure and no smoke come out so l dont think it my retort was blocked l will upload photos maybe my pipe from reflux to condensor doesnt be hot enough maybe 120 degrees c l am very sad
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Originally posted by jonathan View Postl try my pyrolysis yesterday l have retort,empty reflux,and 2 condensors l fire my oil burner it was too hot that after 15 minutes first condensor was very hot and the other condensor was hot too that you dont keep your hand.after that 15 minutes l have problem in burner and stop it. after my system cools l find about 200 ml oil it burn easily and smell like resin.today l try my system with gas burner but after 1 and half hour l dont find any oil l notice that my retort was so hot and reflux but the pipe from reflux to first condensor was little hot that l leave my hands on it. l dont know whats going on?
Originally posted by rozier56 View PostThank you yo Beyond and Excalibur for those helpful ideas.It all makes good sense and i will be trying all your suggestions.You are right about the time factor as i have been trying to improve this area by changing my burners to suit my retort and have drastically reduced the time to get up to temp. But this makes down the line temp control a bit more difficult, but am getting there, as the condenser temp control is a bit tempermental,
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mtrozier56
Thank you yo Beyond and Excalibur for those helpful ideas.It all makes good sense and i will be trying all your suggestions.You are right about the time factor as i have been trying to improve this area by changing my burners to suit my retort and have drastically reduced the time to get up to temp. But this makes down the line temp control a bit more difficult, but am getting there, as the condenser temp control is a bit tempermental,
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retort problem
l try my pyrolysis yesterday l have retort,empty reflux,and 2 condensors l fire my oil burner it was too hot that after 15 minutes first condensor was very hot and the other condensor was hot too that you dont keep your hand.after that 15 minutes l have problem in burner and stop it. after my system cools l find about 200 ml oil it burn easily and smell like resin.today l try my system with gas burner but after 1 and half hour l dont find any oil l notice that my retort was so hot and reflux but the pipe from reflux to first condensor was little hot that l leave my hands on it. l dont know whats going on?
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Originally posted by rozier56 View PostThks Beyound,do you suggest that my reflux column is to efficient or should be shorter to allow easier flow through to the condenser stage.As it was my belief that diesel is made before petrol/gasoline.
However, you could build several condenser traps that operate at successively cooler temperatures starting at 300c and working down in 100c stages to 0c. That way you trap the fractions in separate traps. This is what I have in my WMO distillation unit.
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