Need help with pan test for water

[rabidsnowmobiler]

Just finished up my V3 install last weekend and started filtering/dewatering my 1st batch of oil. I tried to do a pan test last night but I'm not confident in my results. I heated a frying pan on the stove, and proceded to dump about an 1/8" film. I had quite a few bubbles form, but they just sat at the bottom of the pan. If I had water present, shouldn't the bubbles have risen to the surface and created a crackle?

I went ahead and dumped the batch of oil in my truck as after my heat/cool settling cycle, I had zero water or milky looking oil when I drained from the bottom of my drum. However, I'm starting to have second thoughts I'm still learning the ropes on this WVO thing.

Thanks for your help!
Eric

[Marv]

Eric, what temp did you heat the pan to for the test? Also, can you tell us a bit more about your filtration setup?

From what you told us, it sounds like you'll be okay. There are a number of "standards" out there for acceptable oil when it comes to water. Some folks say no bubbles are the only way to go, while others say a few bubbles in a quarter sized spot are acceptable. My oil usually has some bubbles in it when I test it, but they go away rather quickly. It never crackles by the way...

Crackling of the oil will tell you that there is a lot (excessive) of water present in the oil. But, you can still have water in the oil (emulsified) and pass the crackle test.

While many folks have debated it back and forth, I feel the Donaldson on board filter will block some amount of water. Also, as Clay was discussing in another post, it's possible that any remaining water present in the oil will vaporize due to high temps before it makes it to the injector.

Hope this helps. I'm no expert, so I'm still learning as I go as well.

Thanks!

[Marv]

By the way, Clay or CHenry here on the board, will be a good one to talk to as well. Much more experience in this than myself....matter of fact, I've been following his footsteps exactly for the most part...LOL.

Good luck!

[rabidsnowmobiler]

Not sure of the temperature of the pan as I don't have a thermometer yet. I just put it on the stove on high for 4-5 minutes until I thought it was good and hot. When I dumped the oil in, it did smell like it was cooking and it put off a little smoke, but never crackled.

I more or less followed sunwizard's set up from another board, but I put my heating elements in the drum rather than in an iron case. So, my final filtration takes place in a 50 gal drum with two heating elements, with a carbonator gear motor feeding an OC-20 centrifuge. I wanted to have the heating elements in the drum so I can do a heat/cool/settle cycle prior to running the centrifuge. My drum is tilted so that everything settles towards the drain.

Eric

[Marv]

Not sure of the temperature of the pan as I don't have a thermometer yet. I just put it on the stove on high for 4-5 minutes until I thought it was good and hot. When I dumped the oil in, it did smell like it was cooking and it put off a little smoke, but never crackled.

I more or less followed sunwizard's set up from another board, but I put my heating elements in the drum rather than in an iron case. So, my final filtration takes place in a 50 gal drum with two heating elements, with a carbonator gear motor feeding an OC-20 centrifuge. I wanted to have the heating elements in the drum so I can do a heat/cool/settle cycle prior to running the centrifuge. My drum is tilted so that everything settles towards the drain.

Eric

Oh ok, I got ya.

Sounds like you're following the same basic principle as what I'm doing. My setup is actually based off the Frybrid setup (same as Clay's as well).

Check the stickies for Clay's setup and you'll see more of what I'm talking about. He's got a good write up on his still. Works pretty good so far.

[Clay]

Not sure of the temperature of the pan as I don't have a thermometer yet. I just put it on the stove on high for 4-5 minutes until I thought it was good and hot. When I dumped the oil in, it did smell like it was cooking and it put off a little smoke, but never crackled.

I more or less followed sunwizard's set up from another board, but I put my heating elements in the drum rather than in an iron case. So, my final filtration takes place in a 50 gal drum with two heating elements, with a carbonator gear motor feeding an OC-20 centrifuge. I wanted to have the heating elements in the drum so I can do a heat/cool/settle cycle prior to running the centrifuge. My drum is tilted so that everything settles towards the drain.

Eric

Get some oil on your finger and smear it across the pan (before its hot ) and when you see the smear start to smoke, its time to pour your sample in. Only a quarter sized sample...10 tiny bubbles or thereabouts, and i would say your fine. 10-30 bubbles is not good. Crackling sound is terrible.
As i understad centifuges, you shouldn't have any bubbles when you HPT it. I don't have much experience with them so i really don't know.
Sunwizard knows what hes doing so if your following his example, you should be okay.
Marv on the other hand is following me and has no idea i sleep walk into walls sometimes...

[Marv]

Marv on the other hand is following me and has no idea i sleep walk into walls sometimes...

LOL...oh great...now he tells me this!!

I've read enough of your posts and talked with you enough on the phone to know that you know what's up when it comes to WVO.