Heating Elements

[pacebm]

Just another in a long list of questions I will be asking as I setup my WMO system:

I am going to heat the oil before I filter it but I am not sure what size water heater elements to get. How are you guys sizing your heating elements? I was planning on running two elements at about 1/3 and 2/3 up the side of a 55 gallon drum. Also, are you just sticking the element into the oil or is it inside a thermowell so it doesn't touch the oil. I have clean new drums that I plan to weld in bungs for the elements.

 

[southdave]

FYI they make drum heater, but to answer, mine are exposed to the directly. at one time I used an ol water heater

 

[Ferroequinologist]

You have to submerge the elements in a liquid- otherwise they burn out in short order.

An old electric water heater works dang near perfect. I would flip it so you have the dome at the bottom, to act as a better drain than what's on a water heater normally. Look for one with the safety in the middle of the top.

 

[russ132]

What type of filtration do you plan on using?

 

[juddspaintballs]

I just removed a 60 gallon electric water heater that was in perfect working order. Maybe I should hang on to it...

 

[pacebm]

My plans are to heat and let it settle, then go through several levels of filtration. The filtration will be an assortment of oil and water filters that get it down to at least 5 micron. If the WMO works well, I will get a centrifuge.

 

[pacebm]

I will be on the lookout for a used water heater! I looked over the Wolverine site and was trying to make sure that I could heat the oil up to 160 if/when I go to the centrifuge. I saw some pretty slick drum heaters, but just didn't see any in my price range for a test setup like I am running. If this turns into a long term operation I will definitely get an adjustable drum heater.