| Absolute Centrifuge > FAQs | |
Answers- 1. How many times must I process my waste vegetable oil (WVO) until it is clean?
- Unlike many other centrifuge systems and filtering products only one time is needed with the ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE. Please see performance results for associated flow rates and temperature readings.
- 2. How clean will my oil be after using the ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE?
- The ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE will remove impurities down to 1 micron in size, but the answer really depends on the application for which you are using it. Most vehicle fuel filters are ≥5 microns in size, so any impurities smaller than this will not clog your fuel filter or pose a problem to your engine. Removing water from waste vegetable oil (WVO) occurs simultaneously with the removal of the food debris (performance). If cleaning anything other than WVO, we suggest sending a 4 oz. sample to R&G Labs (http://www.randglabs.com/) for a Karl Fischer water analysis and/or a particle count analysis.
- 3. Have you conducted a particle count analysis, and if so what were the results?
- We analyzed the same samples used to provide the water concentration results (performance) and subjected them to a particle count analysis (R&G labs), but we were unable to achieve conclusive results because of particle contamination due to the partially hydrogenated oil (PHO) and/or fats present in the centrifuged waste vegetable oil (WVO). If processed with heat the PHO and/or fats will dissolve in the WVO thus resisting removal by the centrifuge. After being processed, the PHO and/or fats will separate from the WVO and settle out at room temperature resulting in false (positive) particle readings. By processing without heat most of the PHO and/or fats will be removed from the WVO but a small percentage will be left in solution also resulting in false (positive) particle readings (we are dealing with particles smaller than the eye can see). These issues were realized in the particle count analysis performed by R and G labs. We are currently exploring alternative methods for removing PHO and/or fats from oil samples to achieve accurate particle count analysis, and should have these results posted shortly.
- 4. Will my vehicle be adversly affected by the PHO and/or fats present in centrifuged WVO?
- If you have a two tank conversion, the answer is simply NO. This is due to an in-tank heater in the WVO tank that will melt the PHO and/or fats. This mixture of heated oil and melted PHO/fats will flow freely from the WVO tank to the engine without any problems. If you have a single tank conversion in your vehicle, the removal of PHO and/or fats is thought to be an important step in processing your WVO because they can restrict fuel flow from the fuel tank to the fuel filter. In single tank systems a heated fuel filter is standard, so once the PHO and/or fats reach the filter they will melt and not result in any additional problems. Completely removing all the PHO and/or fats is extremely difficult, but if you can reduce them to a negligible amount then they will not pose a threat to your fuel system. The ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE will significantly reduce the amount of PHO and/or fats present in WVO only if processed without heat, making it a safe choice for your single tank vehicle (please read next question for information pertaining to flow rates).
- 5. How fast does the ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE clean oil?
- This is dependent on how dirty your WVO is, as well as what type of conversion (single tank vs. two tank) system is installed in your vehicle (PHO and/or fats are thought to have detrimental effects on single tank systems). If your oil is really dirty and you have a two tank conversion, we recommend processing your oil at a flow rate of 10 gallons per hour (GPH) at a temperature of ~110ºF (this allows you to process oil at a faster rate because PHO/fats are not a concern) (Picture: bowl - fats). If you have a single-tank conversion, we recommend processing your oil unheated at a flow rate of 2 GPH so most of the PHO and/or fats will be removed as well as water and food debris (Picture: Bowl + fats). If you are not sure what flow rate is adequate for your system, we suggest centrifuging your oil a second time and visually inspecting how much waste is present in the centrifuge bowl; if there is little to no debris, your flow rate is most likely adequate, but if there is a large amount of debris present in the bowl, we strongly suggest slowing down the flow rate and repeating the above steps.
- 6. How do I raise the oil temperature while processing oil (for a two tank system only)?
- We recommend using a hot water heating element, this can be purchased at your local hardware store for ~$15. The hot water heating element is threaded into a 1" metal tee so that the oil comes into contact with and flows past the heating element and into the centrifuge thus raising the temperature of the oil (Installation). Temperature of the oil is dependent on what type (wattage) of a hot water heating element is used. By using a candy thermometer you can measure the temperature of the oil after it passes the heating element and a thermostat can be used to keep the oil at this temperature. Once you figure out your desired temperature then determine your flow rate because oil becomes less viscous as the temperature increases which means the flow rate will change along with it.
- 7. How do I regulate the oil flow rate into the centrifuge?
- We recommend using a gate valve (~$10) found at your local hardware store. While running the centrifuge with either unheated or heated oil, measure the volume of oil that is dispensed out of the centrifuge and mark the gate valve accordingly, this will give you a reference for future centrifuge cycles (remember, the same amount of oil that goes into the centrifuge will exit the centrifuge).
- 8. Do I have to let my WVO settle?
- NO, although we do recommend discarding visible water and/or impurities located at the bottom of your collection container before pouring it into a "holding tank". If you have oil that is highly contaminated with water, it is a good idea to pass this oil through the centrifuge an additional time to ensure clean results.
- 9. How does the ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE keep the cleaned oil separate from the dirty oil?
- The clean oil is kept separate by a barrier located between the centrifuge bowl and the rest of the unit, this oil is then channeled away by an exit hole (unit - bowl). The only dirty oil that will be present is the oil left in the bowl upon shut down, and this is channeled to a separate location by a different exit hole (unit - bowl). The bulk of the impurities will be found against the inside of the bowl (dirty bowl w/ dirt, dirty bowl w/ fats) and will need to be removed by a silicone scraper (included with purchase).
- 10. How often do I need to clean the centrifuge bowl?
- It is difficult to answer this question, because it is really dependent upon how dirty your oil is. Also, if you are concerned with removing partially hydrogenated oil (PHO) and/or fats from your WVO then we recommend running the centrifuge at a flow rate of 2 gallons per hour (GPH) unheated, this will ensure separation of fats, PHO, water, and food debris from the cleaned WVO. Centrifuging WVO unheated will also require more frequent bowl cleaning due to more debris in the form of PHO and/or fats in addition to the water and the food debris. We recommend processing 15 gallons of heated WVO or 10 gallons of unheated WVO and then visually inspecting to see how much debris is present in the centrifuge bowl. If not much is present, then it is a good indication that you can process a lot more without worrying about cleaning out the bowl. We always recommend that you clean the centrifuge bowl with a silicone scraper after you are finished processing your oil.
- 11. Can the ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE clean other types of oils?
- YES. Many other types of oils can be cleaned such as lube oils, synthetic motor oils, hydraulic oils, transmission oils, gear oils etc... Temperature and flow rate are the two most crucial variables in removing impurities from any oil. If you are uncertain, centrifuge a 4 oz. sample of oil and send it to R&G Labs (http://www.randglabs.com/) for particle count and Karl Fischer water analysis and/or a particle count analysis.
- 12. Where do I get spare parts if the centrifuge breaks?
- The aluminum bowl and sheet metal will not break or bend unless they are both subjected to large amounts of force or pressure. We have found motor failure is uncommon (motors still functioning after 2+ years of use) while all of the other parts (bolts, washers, slinger, PVC piping and elbows, and the ball valve) are standard and available at any local hardware store. An 18 month manufacturer's warranty exists on the motor if failure occurs within that time period.
- 13. How noisy is the ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE?
- The ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE is remarkably quiet even though it rotates with such a high velocity. You can install this unit in your garage or outside of your house without it causing a major distraction!
- 14. How much G-force does THE ABSOLUTE CENTRIFUGE generate?
- The amount of constant G-force produced is 1,404 g's (this is independent of oil flow rate, oil pressure, and/or oil temperature). Other centrifuge systems' G-force is dependent on oil pressure driving their centrifuge which is ultimately produced from a pump. If any malfunction should occur, such as a clogged or crimped hose, or motor failure, the amount of G-force is compromised as well as your garage floor. These centrifuge systems also recommend processing the same WVO multiple times before you attain clean oil.
| | LIMITED TIME FREE SHIPPING, please call toll free (866) 403-1320 for details. |