Melbourne. Bio Diesel Plant, Explosion, Roof Blown Off. « Alternative Technology Assn Forums

Melbourne. Bio Diesel Plant, Explosion, Roof Blown Off.

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franks
Member

The pitfalls of Bio Diesel production
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/explosion-lifts-roof-off-factory-20101006-1675c.html
maybe mixed nitric acid and glycerine (nitro-glycerine ??)

Posted Wednesday 6 Oct 2010 @ 3:54:15 am from IP #
sun2steam
Member

Nitro-glycerin? No way. There is no need for nitric acid in bio-diesel production. Normally in bio-diesel production the chemical molecule of bio oil consisting of three units of fatty acid and one unit of glycerin is reacted with methanol to create molecules consisting of an ester of fatty acid and methanol. This is normally done by heating the oil with methanol and a bit of acid as catalyst (usually sulfuric acid). The glycerin as a by product stays behind.

I think the fire was just what can happen in chemical industry or in distillation of fuels. Nothing to to with bio diesel as such.

Posted Wednesday 6 Oct 2010 @ 4:06:04 am from IP #
Andy Chee
Member

If the explosion was caused by the chemicals used and produced during the making of biodiesel, then it was probably caused by alcohol, ether or hydrogen ignition. The biodiesel fuel product is hard (but not impossible!) to ignite.

Posted Thursday 7 Oct 2010 @ 1:18:12 am from IP #