biodieselpictures.com

producer · Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Illinois

The two photos were taken of two separate reactions. One photo shows 2 - 2 liter beakers with a mixture of unwashed biodiesel and soap. The rear beaker clearly shows the biodiesel which contains a large amount of soap. The soap looks like large fluffy clouds or cotton balls or whispy, stringy material. A layer of soap can also be seen at the surface. The second photos shows similar material after it has settled for several days.

In both cases the reaction consisted of soybean oil, sodium catalyst, and about 25% methanol (to start). In both cases the reaction started normally, but the reactions took place in unsealed vessels at elevated temperature. the temperature reached 75C in the 2-2l reaction. The other reaction was held to 63C-65C. As the reactions progressed the excess methanol evaporated prior to the completion of the reaction. The result in both cases was the formation of large amounts of soap late in the reaction.