WVO Water RemovalWater removal is an important step when working with WVO. Serious problems can occur when 'wet' oil is used to make biodiesel - such as it becoming one big gloppy mess, among many others. Below are several methods used to remove water from WVO.
Water can exist in oil as 'free water' (which, if left to sit will settle to the bottom), or as 'suspended droplets' (which MAY settle to the bottom if the oil is heated and then allowed to sit). Heat the oil to 60°C (140°F) for 15 minutes, and then let it settle from 24 hours to 2 weeks. Pump the top 90% of the oil off the top to use. The last 10% can be re-settled for water removal.
Probably the most widely used method is to boil the water out by heating the oil above 100°C or 212°F (water's boiling point). A mixer should be used to prevent dangerous steam pockets from forming. When the boiling has slowed, increase the heat to 130°C (265°F) for 10 minutes or so. Allow the oil to cool.
Quik 'n' Dri is a product that is put in a tower. The oil is run through it and it absorbs the water out in minutes. It can be dried and re-used many times. Only one pound of this stuff can remove up to 12 gallons of water before it needs to be regenerated!
Some sprinkle Magnesol over the oil and then agitate it for a bit. The magnesol attracts water to itself. It will need to be filtered out after this has been done.
Always check the results of whatever method you use by making a 1-liter test batch BEFORE making a whole batch of biodiesel.
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