Finally got the cost down below the $1.00 / gal. mark this last batch (batch # 11) using bulk KOH and recovered methanol. Is somewhat of a guess as to kwh used, but still Diesel here is $2.71 / gal, so can't complain. Thanks again to all who have helped to make this all possible!!!

 

Nice job. I'm still wrestling with my condensor. I haven't had time to do much but I was thinking of trying the large condensor you find on the back of a refrigerator. That has probably 40 ft of small tubing . I'll try blowing air across it and see what happens. I still don't get much of anything in my recovery. My last batch I heated to 170F and ran it through the condensor cooled with 52F water. Very little methanol.
Tom D

 

That's strange, once you go pass 150, it should be rolling off. I usually get over a gallon off the bio. Use 5 gallons a batch of "new" methanol after pre treatment with 1st round glycerol... Still need to make something to recover the methanol off of the 2nd round glycerine, where most of the Methanol is I've been told.