Pump help.

[Tom Hogan]

I need an electronic pump for a biodiesel reactor I am making. I need some input. The pump must be able to attack to PVC pipe, and must not clog when oil (very viscous I might add) flows through it. I've been looking at pool pumps, but I don't know exactly where to start. I've also looked at spa pumps, which seem much simpler, and easier to use.

Thanks.

[ramses]

I think this belongs more in Theopia, but whatever. I have no real experience with this, but you could try aquarium pumps. What is this pump going to be doing? did you think about using a syphon? nothing can really be suggested unless we know what function the pump plays, or we are into Biodiesel.

I love your avatar.

[Tom Hogan]

Thanks.

The pump will be pumping oil from the bottom of the reactor, to the top, helping mix the base with the oil.

Could you elaborate on the syphon? I'm pretty new to this stuff.

[psycix]

Mixing liquid?
Dont use a pump. Use a stirrer.

Just any random electric motor on top of the reactor with a stick going down into the liquid. On the end of the stick, you should attach something like fan blades to stir it all up.

the pump must be able to attack to PVC pipe,

The pump general yells to his army: Attack the land of PVC pipes! Take no prisoners!

[dudeman508]

[/quote]Quote: the pump must be able to attack to PVC pipe, [quote]


I think he meant attach

[Gippeto]

Try here

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/ ... 8541078231


If you're looking for a mixing pump, watch for chemical compatability with any plastic parts.

I know from experience, sodium methoxide and nylon do not get along. The mix literally dissolved/melted our little pump.

Kind of like un-intentional solvent welding.

[psycix]

Quote: the pump must be able to attack to PVC pipe,

I think he meant attach

I know he did, but I took the opportunity to make a joke.

If you're looking for a mixing pump, watch for chemical compatability with any plastic parts.

Hmm didnt think about that yet.

Tom, what is the size of the reservoir to be mixed?

You could avoid plastic parts completely by using the stick and rotor idea.
A metal rod and a metal rotor, possibly homemade by using metal sheet from a soda can or something like that.

[ramses]

stick and propeller work very well, I have mixed thick, separated paint with them(in a drill).

A siphon only works when moving from top to bottom, so it is irrelevant.

[Tom Hogan]

Right now, we are debating the reservoir size. It will probably be a cylinder about 1.5 meters high and .75 meters diameter. We are also debating whether to use 1 tank for mixing, and one tank for heating, or combining them. Even if we don't mix with the pump we will need it for circulation. Stick and propeller is definitely an option.

Any ideas on what to use as a heating element? We were thinking calrod, but other ideas are welcome (especially since calrods are expensive.

[Gippeto]

Run the oil through some 1 inch steel pipe. Put an element from an electric hot water heater in the 1 " piping via a tee. Insulate the tank and piping.

Something along these lines.

http://www.xyzworks.com/centrifuge.htm

You can buy centrifugal pumps with metal innards for mixing/transferring.