Equipment & Gear > Power Equipment & RV
BioDiesel
gramps:
I have seen a couple comments about using biofuel or vegetable oil in a diesel and based on my experience, would offer a comment or two.
First, I have been making biodiesel for my own use from used vegetable cooking oil for 2 1/2 yrs.. There is no conversion necessary to run biodiesel in a diesel engine. Just make sure it is good quality and go for it. Actually, the first compression fired engine that Rudolph Diesel designed and built in Germany in the 1800's ran on peanut oil.
Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) is another matter entirely. There is an expensive conversion involved. Some people have used SVO in the new high pressure common rail fuel systems, but any savings on fuel will be offset and then some by the repair bills. The early '80 model Mercedes diesels are very popular for this conversion...they are bullet proof.
I became interested in the biodiesel thing from a low cost fuel standpoint. My out of pocket cost is about $1.10 per gallon, depending on methyl alcohol costs. However, my labor cost makes up for the difference. I built my reactor and I am rebuilding it again to stream line the operation to cut down on the time involved, but I am not there yet. It is a fun project.
There is a lot of missinformation out there and a lot of scams..so if anyone is interested, do your research. If interested, I can supply some websites that have excellent info. I am not connected to any of them in any way.
Moderator.....If this is not a proper subject....delete it, I won't be offended.
jackelope:
--- Quote ---Moderator.....If this is not a proper subject....delete it, I won't be offended.
--- End quote ---
i sure don't see anything wrong with it. i think it's cool as hell that you're making your own. does it stink as bad as the pump stuff? pretty much every diesel liberty that comes into my shop is burning it, and it stinks something awful.
cohoho:
Hmmm, let me think- A good way to bring the bears into camp and start licking the tail pipe, Hummm, ideal here for sure.... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: course some will state that is baiting and go into another thread all together about how bad and unethical that would be.....
Curious to the cost of making a "Reactor"? A $1.10 would be sweet for the truck.... Do you have problems getting enough recycled veggie oil for the process to begin? Do you mix it or run straight after the refinement process? How does storage effect it, say like 90 gallons at a time in tank of vehicle? I'm sending you a PM if you don't mind, really curious to how it is done and the huge benefits it offers, besides, it might be the alternate reason to get the wife's permission to build my dream garage....
gramps:
This will take me a while, but I will try to briefly describe how to make a batch. Also had some PM's that I will answer......Jackelope...I haven't noticed a smell worse than #2, actually smells better...like what was cooked in it. I run anywhere from 20% to 50% bio in normal #2. I don't burn any or make any in the winter cause it will gell at much higher temps than #2 and my shed where I make it is unheated. I hope to change that before this winter and will burn 20% during the winter. On two occasions I have burned 100% in the cummins and did not notice any difference in power or mileage, but was empty both times headed down the highway. I have also, on two occasions headed east of the rockies with 2 4wheelers in the pickup, 100 gallons of bio, a 26 ft camper and gear and ran 50% until I ran out. Had no problem with the mountain passes. Biodiesel has about 119,000 BTU's per gallon and straight #2 has about 129,400 BTU's, so a little less power and mileage would be normal. My rigs are past warranty, but that is an issue with more than 5% or so.
My initial interest was from a cost of fuel view point and I was trying to read up on it when I noticed a local enviromental group was gonna have a meeting. I was suprised they even let me in the door. The speaker was a man from a near by town who made biodiesel and I built my set up somewhat like his.
Making bio is referred to as 'home brewing'. When it is made, it is actually a chemical reaction that takes place between the vegetable oil and an alcohol..most people use methyl alcohol..and a catalyst, which can be NAOH or KOH.. both concidered 'lye'. The alcohol and the lye are very dangerous and some very deliberate care must be taken to avoid injury, fire or death....no joke.
I hear that used cooking oil is hard to find now and I have seen ads in the paper and online for people looking for oil. I collect small quantities from some people who have small businesses that don't generate much, but it works for me. I can burn it a hell of a lot faster than I can make it. These people were paying someone to take it away and they thought it was a good deal when I told them I would take it away and not charge them to do it.
The war department is calling so I will hopefully be back after a while.
Armadillo:
Great subject. I heard the first tank you run through your vehicle requires you to replace the fuel filters afterwards as biodiesel is a great solvent and will remove all the crud outta your tank and clog up the filters. I dont know if thats true but it sounds plausable. Also converting requires the rubber fuel lines to get changed to Viton lines Ive heard. Other then those two worries Ive got I would be all for biodiesel in my truck. It tends to smell like french fries lol
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