Just sent in an application for an ethanol fuel producer permit. So, is there anyone on this site that is involved in making fuel? It might be nice to share some thoughts ........
MikeFlynn74 said:Youd be better of on www.homedistiller.org
david_42 said:If you plan on even moderate volumes, check with your local building codes and permits. One guy I know had a 100 gallon a day operation up & running (all very legal and properly permitted) and then was enjoined from STORING any product on his property because ethanol is a hazardous material. Three years of work down the drain.
CBBaron said:Just curious what your plans are for fuel ethanol production?
Are you making enough to replace your gas use? To sell? Or just small amounts for experimentation and to blend with gas?
What are you planning for a base material? Are you using corn, sugar or some other material?
And what does it take to get started in funds? Did you make it all yourself or can you buy most/all of the still pre-made?
I am curious about biofuels. I don't have the space to do it at home but my parents have a farm nearby and someday I may consider making some fuel myself.
I havn't seen anyone here talking about fuel ethanol so you may be out of luck on that part.
I think making fuel is much more of an industrial process both in techniques and scale than home brewing or distilling. Even home distilling is usually a craft type product done on a small scale stovetop system.
Good luck with your endeavor and I would like to hear all about it if you want. I'm sorry I can't be of more help.
Craig
k1v1116 said:aside from the legal issues ethanol will only distill to around 95% the rest is water if you intend to make something like E85 where is will be mixed with gasoline you need to remove all the water or when it is mixed with the gas is will separate out and cause problems. I've read you can mix it with something nasty like benzene and re-distill or pass it through something that will absorb the water like zeolite, you can also use a vacuum still to distill past the 95% ethanol water azeotrope.
david_42 said:If anyone around here figures out how to make bio-fuel from blackberry canes, we'll have two problems solved.
david_42 said:Good point, although you can't mix azeotrope with gasoline, it stands alone as a fuel. Biggest problems are rubber components. Some types of rubber can't handle ethanol. On the other hand, if you have an older, high-compression performance engine, azeotrope has a very high octane rating.
True again! What's more, the exhausted stalks (low feed value) can be used to fire the still. I'm sorry to hear about the loss those people in the project suffered. I'm climate fortunate here in the Mid South where sorghum grows almost like a weed. I bet backberry ethanol would smell pretty good going down the road! lol. Thanks for the note and input.And sorghum waste mixed with excess yeast makes a great livestock feed.
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