Biodiesel

[Nate]

I see another thread on ethanol but is anyone making biodiesel? I just acquired 110 gallons of methanol and a source of WVO so I plan on making some soon. Looking for tips, pointers, etc.

 

[hammacks]

If you haven't stumbled on it already, you could do a mini-run first using the 2-liter method:


http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=447609751&f=719605551&m=857600061

Could be an easier way to know what to look for, and what to expect with the separation and all.

 

[Orfy]

It all depends on the pump your vehicle has.
Some can use 100% unmodified oil.

 

[BigKahuna]

Any Diesel will run on SVO...The trick is to have it CLEAN!!! and HOT!!!! 160F going into the injection pump!

The FIL has 2 semi trucks and 2 Pickups that he has had great luck with...Seems like the older the better....but it works well on his 2008 F350 as well.

 

[arturo7]

Bio-diesel will be something you'll likely hear more and more about in coming years. It converts bio-mass to diesel fuel. Huge potential depending on how the technology develops.

 

[david_42]

Once you get past the splash, this site has useful information on making biodiesel and plans for various sized processors. They also sell processors.

Haven't made it myself, but I know 5-6 homebrewers that do.

 

[Bob_E]

The journey to forever link I posted in the ethanol thread has some biodiesel stuff to read.
Another great resource is From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank by Joshua Tickell. It's a little heavy on the tree hugger side, but does a really good job at explaining the whole process of making biodiesel as well as building a processor and running straight or waste veggie oil, in an easy to read manner.
Biodiesel is great if you plan to sell it, since nobody has to fuss with their fuel system for it to work (in theory ), but if you want to save some money using your own personal vehicle running waste veggie oil is the way to go
In my opinion.

 

[-Dan-]

...Seems like the older the better....

That is true! We have been running an old Mercedes-Benz delivery van (built around 1982) with regular vegetable oil. Smells like McDonalds sometimes but other than that it runs great! I have heard it quite often that never systems have problems with the filters, etc.

 

[nitrousjunkie]

Thats been one thing I really want to do. Just dont have the money to build or buy a processor. All though, with older diesel vehicles, if they have natural rubber fuel lines you will want to replace them. The bio as well as SVO will slowly eat them up. You will also want to change your fuel filter after about your first or second full tank of either.

 

[BigKahuna]

Bio-diesel will be something you'll likely hear more and more about in coming years. It converts bio-mass to diesel fuel. Huge potential depending on how the technology develops.

UMMM I think you are thinking of Cellulosic Ethanol. Bio Diesel is a product of transesterification of Vegetable Oil. This is the process of exchanging the alkoxy group of an ester compound with another alcohol. ....Basically you knock the crap out of the triglyceride and replace the Glycerin Molecule with an alcohol Molecule.