Welcome to the DYNADROIT INC biodiesel page!
 
Biodiesel
Numerous individuals have been processing waste vegetable oil (WVO) into biodiesel for many years. This processing has been so successful that several companies are now making large processors for fueling fleets and even more companies are making BD out of straight vegetable oil (SVO) from farmer's crops for public sales. The processing methods for biodiesel are explained on many websites and acceptable for use with the Dynadroit Biodiesel Processing Kit.

Product Description
These processors are a commercial grade product designed to be long lasting, reliable, and capable of processing routinely regardless of changes in ambient temperature, time of the year, or location. Each kit contains two epoxy coated steel tanks and a pump/electrical stand. We presently manufacture 40 and 100 gallon processor kits (see the pictures at the top). Design is constantly on-going so it is likely the next kits will be even better. If you have suggestions or something specific for you kit, please feel free to contact us so we can discuss you interests!

Tank Fabrication
The early fabrication is shown in this picture. It is still done by the same firm which has been in the sheet metal business for more than 35 years. This tank (first 100 gallon processor tank), and all of them are made from 16 gauge steel, angle iron flanges, rods, nipples and couplings. The drilling, bending, and welding is done by a very experienced sheet metal fabricator. The tanks were pressure tested to verify that the tank is sealed even though there is very little pressure involved in the processing actions. The steel is used for tanks because they will last indefinitely and can handle heat necessary for various processes.

Note: Base on early experimentation we ran into some problems with the HDPE tanks. Our problems were not as bad as this one! The WVO, methanol, and biodiesel can leak from one of these tanks and once they catch on fire it is a disaster!
Check this forum thread.
We wanted to make a reliable and safe product and one that could handle the heat that is needed for several processes (dewatering, processing, drying, methanol recovery.) That is why our tanks are steel.

Coating
The coating is a red, blue or green oxide color of Fusion Bond Epoxy. The color appears a little different  depending on the brightness and direction of the light. All tanks are coated inside and out, including nipples and couplings. The coating was tested with samples submerged in biodiesel and un-distilled by-product for a long time. There was no loss of sample weight at the end of the test. The color and surface did not change either. The coating prevents rust and corrosion of components. If avoided scraping the oxide off or use heat too higher for many, many hours (a very good original customer did some new testing and did heating for 16 hours!) the costing will last .

Gaskets
Buna-Nitrlle gaskets were custom designed and made to seal the top of the cylinder tank flanges. They are bolted together (10-15 ft lb) and successfully seal the tanks. The tanks use 8 or 12 bolts to hold the gaskets on the mixer tank, and 6 knobs on the processor tanks, to hold the gaskets between the flanges. Using Permatex "Ultamate Gasket Maker" on the bottom side of the gasket, and some oil on the top side, makes taking the caps off less hard.

Processing Tank
The processing tank is designed for dewatering WVO, processing WVO with catalyst to make BD, washing biodiesel, drying bio diesel, and condensing distilled methanol from byproduct. This tank now has one site glass windows which shows the proper level of WVO (40 gallons) for processing.  The cap comes off for dewatering.  The washing connector tube and sprayer will also take some air spray into the tank to help move water steam out the top. The grey thermostat, just above the leg flange, controls the temperature for dewatering, processing and drying. It shuts the heater off once the temperature gets up to the level set in the thermostat. 

The valve at the conical bottom is for removing the byproduct after processing settling is done. It also will move the byproduct back to the mixer/distillation tank (for methanol recovery), for removing the soap/water after BD washing, and finally removing the BD.

There is a gauge above the thermostat for viewing various temperatures (30 to 240 degrees Fahrenheit). On the back side of the conical bottom is a heater element (two on a 100 gallon processor) with an electrical cord for connection to the control box. Above the Dynadroit Diesel decal, on the front center of the tank is a connection to a garden hose which controls the misting of water for biodiesel washing (also takes air spray hose.)   A pressure relief valve is located to the left of the cap. On the right side of the tank is a copper tube for methanol distillation from the catalyst/distillation tank. The coiled copper tube inside the tank exits at the lower side of the conical bottom which drains condensed methanol out of the system into a storage tank for methanol for future use

Dewatering
WVO usually contains water and free fatty acid (FFA) as well as leftover food scraps from frying. This tank contains a heating element and a thermostat which will control temperature between 100 and 240 degrees Fahrenheit. This will dewater so a titration can be conducted with the same dewatered WVO that will be processed. The tank cover should be removed for dewatering to ensure that the steam does not condense on the cover and fall back into the WVO. Circulating heated WVO will remove steam pockets which will remove the risk of poor titration to provide an accurate catalyst. The last picture shows a method of fanning the dewatering BD circulation.

Washing
Once the biodiesel processing is completed, the by-product is transferred from the processor tank back to the small tank, the BD can be washed. Washing is used to remove any remaining soap/glycerin. Washing is done by adding misting water through the tank cover.  There are a few  methods for washing and it is suggested customers check out various biodiesel wesites with biodiesel instructions.

Drying
Once washing is completed and the BD and soap/water is removed, heat up the BD and circulate it from the bottom of the tank and back into the top, using the fanning method.  Hook up an air compressor hose, at low psi to help move the air steam out.

Tank Valves
The³/4 inch bronze ball valves on the tanks are necessary to vew EVERY time you turn on the pump!  The QD couplings for hoses for going in and out of the kit are on the front and rear of the pump pipe.  It is suggested that hoses always be connected and sent into tanks so fluid does not escape!  For customers, an installation manual is provided that will explain the use of the valves. 

Mixer/Distillation Tank
Using a coated steel tank for catalyst mixing and by-product distillation has several advantages. With a smooth conical bottom, unlike the HDPE tanks, this one will allow better circulation of any liquid and it will be much easier to clean the tanks. The center couplings on each of these tank covers can be used to mist the inside of the tank for cleaning after it is used. The mixer tank has the same valves as the processor tank. The site glass window is used for identifying the amount of methanol to be used (22% of 40 gallons = 8.8 gallons of methanol, 22% of 100 gallons = 22 gallons methanol). It has a pressure relief valve and a temperature gauge like the other tank. The center coupling on the cover is used for collecting steamed methanol and transferring it to the processor tank for condensation. The 3/4" ball valve is used for dropping in the methanol and hydroxide.  The pressure relief valve should have a plug on it when recovering the methonal, but otherwise, a hose running out of your show to keep the methanol fume out of the shop.  Methanol fume in the shop is not only bad for your lungs, but too much fume near the motor could cause a fire/explosion.  It is suggested that a small fan be pointed at the pump motor when using the methonal, until it gets moved into the WVO in the processor tank.

The heater element in the Mixer/Distillation Tank is run at your determined temperature to separate the methanol from the by-product. Again, a fan would be wise.  Once there is no more methanol flowing out (about an hour) the heater is shut off and the by-product is drained out and stored in buckets until it is ready for disposal or other usage. The distilled methanol passes through the coil in the processor tank and is cooled and then condensed by water which has been pumped into the processor tank.

When doing by-product distillation, the center coupling on the cover has a copper tube connected to collect the methanol vapor and transfer it through cooling water in the processor tank to condense the vapor and drain it into a methanol storage tank.  When you become a customer I will share you some information for improving this process.

Condensation
In order to condense the vaporized methanol, it needs to be transferred through a tank that can cool the tube the vapor is passing through to turn the steam into liquid so it can flow into a storage tank. The processor tank contains a long coiled copper tube from the top to the bottom where it exits thru a bulkhead connector into a clear polyethylene tube which runs into a storage tank. A garden hose is used to run cold water into the tank. Once the distillation is complete the water can be pumped into another tank and be used again for washing or condensation.

Electrical/Pump Control Box
This picture shows the electrical controls, pump and motor on the kit. The control box holds the pump, pump connectors, switches, timer and thermostat controls.

The pump can handle 350 degree oil temperature (much more than you need to use) and can also pump the catalyst. The timer is used for safety and for reducing the time needed during each process. The thermostat and switches run on 24v electrical power. The pump and heater element runs on 220v.

The heater elements need power and control so that each separate process can be controlled correctly. The control box holds components that controls the connectors, switches, timers, and thermostat, rely, etc. for controlling the heating element of each tank depending on what process they are conducting. The temperature range should run between 100*F and 212*F depending on what process it is being used for. The single plug is provided to fit into the shop connector plug for 220V. The panel box on your wall needs to have a 220/240V - 30 amp breaker switch.  Heating time depends on which process, ambient temperature, and quality of liquid being heated.

Product Ordering
The tank pictures on the left side are a 40 gallon kit and 100 gallon kit. For shipping the 40 gallon processor is about 365 pounds. The 100 gallon processor is about 475 pounds.  These kits are redesigned since the last once manufactured (check the older pictures here. ). Since we are constantly making improvements and trying to keep your cost from increasing (steel and copper prices increase almost every year) while maintaining our excellent product, it likely takes a few weeks to get your order shipped. However, we will stay in constant touch with you and let you know ahead of time how and when it will be shipped. As mentioned above, some requested modifications can be accepted. Shipping cost for the 40 gallon processor is $400-550 depending on location and diesel fuel cost changes.  The 100 gallon processor will cost $500-$800 shipping.  The shipping costs depend on your location, current diesel fuel cost for shipping, and heaving packing for ocean shipping.  If you wish to come pick it up you can.  As of July 2008 the price for the 40 gallon processor is $5,350USD.  The 100 gallon processor sells for $6,850USD.  Current costs are changing due to increase of metal components.    Call if you are interested.

If you are interested in some old pictures check this thread:

Download Processing Kit Pictures Here.

Background
Diesel fuel was once less expensive than gasoline but it has always contained more debris due to the minimal diesel refining process. For many years a number of diesel fanatics have been processing their own biodiesel fuel to save money, produce cleaner fuel, and keep their diesel engines running much longer. Unfortunately, for individual usage, there has never been a very professional biodiesel processor system available. DYNADROIT INC has created this biodiesel processing kit for diesel enthusiasts in need of a long lasting and reliable product that will produce economical fuel all year around, regardless of where you live in the winter. This kit will also recover much of the methanol from the by-product for re-use, reducing fuel costs even more. All of the components of this kit are high quality items provided by experienced suppliers who have been in business for a long time.

Dynadroit Inc.
12650 W. 64th Ave. #E407
Arvada, CO 80004
303-882-2181 sales@dynadroit.com