New Fossil Fuel free Build Begins

[dremd]

It isn't as exciting or ambitious as an EV, but I have finally begun my Biodiesel Processor in earnest.

I went scrounging for parts this weekend:-)

So far I have
1) 48 gallon water heater that doesn't leak
2) 125 Gallon propane tank
3) 5 Blue Plastic 55 Gallon Barrels
4) 1 1.75" Ball Valve
5) a Beast of a 1/2Hp Vacuum pump
6) Someone to thread Steel pipe for free :-)


Most of my info is coming from
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/, http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html and
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=447609751

Basic design is an appleseed.

First order of business is to build a supersucker out of the propane tank, vacuum pump, large ball valve. The propane tank will have to be cut down to fit in to the golf.

I'd like to try and Vacuum dry the waste oil since it is already in a vacuum canister.

After that comes the processor, I'll likely start with the standard design, and work from there.

I have a SVO driving f250 acquaintance who I believe I can get at least start up oil from, and maybe more.


Looks like I will need to buy Pipe, hoses, and a working pump, not bad at all.

[MPaulHolmes]

That's awesome!!! I can't wait to see how it turns out. Now, if you're ever running low on gas, you can go to McDonalds, and buy some of their french fries, and wring them out over the gas tank, which should give you about 5 miles of range.

I'm going to love reading this thread!

[dremd]

I actually already blend in 1~2 gallons of WVO per tank :-)

I'm up to almost 10 gallons of WVO burned so far, not much difference in economy/ power, but I'm afraid of poor lubricity, cetane. Considering that I average 1 gallon per day I should only have to cook once per month.

I'm looking forward to the build also :-)

[dremd]

Plans already a Changing

Originally I planned to chop the propane tank down to fit in the golf (4ft 6" from 7feet) however I've determined that it will still be FAR to heavy to lift in to the golf empty. I'm guessing 400lbs now . . . .
Now I'm thinking a trailer . . .
Will look at harbor freight, then look used. . .

[MetroMPG]

There's a reason we called this the "fossil fuel free" instead of "EV forum". Glad to see another project start up.

Can you post a nutshell description of what you're building/how it works? I'll admit I'm not really sure what a "bio-d processor" is.

[dremd]

In a nutshell a biodiesel (Bio-D) processor is a device to transform Vegtable oil in to Bio-Diesel using heat, lye and alcohol.

Advantages of Bio-diesel over Straight Vegetable oil
1) no "conversion"
2) Excellent lubricity
3) Less cold start issues
4) no 2nd tank
5) Salable to anybody with a Diesel (quasi-legally)
6) Recognized as a legitimate alternative fuel
7) Blends in any % with Petro Diesel
8) Much higher Cetane (similar to octane, but for diesel) resulting in smoother running

Advantages Of Bio Diesel over Petro/ Dino Diesel
1) Best lubricating Diesel Fuel.
2) Higher Cetane (similar to octane, but for diesel) resulting in smoother running
3) Lower Cost
4) Less Smoke
5) Lower Emissions

DisAdvantages
1) lower energy content per gallon than Petro diesel, Similar to Regular Gasoline
2) Lower peak power, unless tuned for lower energy content (small difference)
3) Not compatable with all types of particulate filters (only comming stateside this year)
4) Worse cold start performance / higher gel point than Winter Diesel. Must blend with Diesel / Kerosene in sub freezing conditions.


There are many "styles" of Bio-Diesel processors, the simplist and most common is know as the "Appleseed".

The Appleseed consist of
1) a Water heater
2) a pump
3) a settling/ wash tank
4) plumbing


Oversimplified the process goes something like this
1) collect oil
2) Load measured amount of oil in to water heater/ start pump to stir
3) begin Heating oil to 120 deg F
4) deermine ph of oil
5) Calculate quantity of lye + Alcohol to add to oil
6) Turn off heat
7) Slowly add lye + Alcohol
8) pump mix out to settle/ wash tank
9) allow to settle
10) drain off waste
11) Wash Bio-Diesel with water SLOWLY
12) drain water/ dry the water out of Bio-diesel

[jesse.rizzo]

Originally Posted by dremd

I actually already blend in 1~2 gallons of WVO per tank :-)

I'm up to almost 10 gallons of WVO burned so far, not much difference in economy/ power, but I'm afraid of poor lubricity, cetane. Considering that I average 1 gallon per day I should only have to cook once per month.

I'm looking forward to the build also :-)

I had wondered about blending WVO with petroleum diesel. Have you tried higher ratios? What range of ambient temps have you had while blending? Thanks.

[MetroMPG]

Thanks, dremd. That's a good snapshot of the process for the ignorant (like me).

[Johnny Mullet]

Very interesting read. If I had a diesel, I would be doing this also.

[dremd]

Originally Posted by jesse.rizzo

I had wondered about blending WVO with petroleum diesel. Have you tried higher ratios? What range of ambient temps have you had while blending? Thanks.

I have not tried higher ratios. I've been scared off by all of the guys on TDI club . . . I can elaborate if interested.

I feel as though the goal is basically "stretching your diesel out" SVO has a fairly poor Cetane rating, if you are running an older Diesel/ a truck I'd run Half and Half, but the TDI says to run 51 or higher Cetane, about as good of diesel you can find around here is 49 Cetane, so adding low Cetane to already Low Cetane Fuel may pose issues . . .

I've only Run a blend at above 40deg F, if you have seen SVO cold you will be afraid of gelling in your fuel filter.

These Guys http://www.dieselsecret.com/ are a Quasi-Scam, but they basically tell you how to blend Diesel, Gasoline, Vegetable oil and Snake oil to make a useable fuel. I have their Secret Plans if anybody is interested PM me.

I did a mini-batch of Diesel Secret in the winter, on hot days it looked good, but below 40 I wouldn't have wanted it in my car, I did not have Kerosene, it probably would have made the difference . . .

[dremd]

Still looking for smallish trailer to put collection tank on.


Currently on Sale at Harbor Freight for $199 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90154

I'd weld most of it up and maybe eliminate the folding feature in the name of strength.
Similar to this guy, but probably with out the plywood, and a big tank welded in the middle. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463480

I also have to get a trailer hitch so I don't have to drive the Supra to pick up oil; what a downer that would be.

The Idea of "being able" to carry 8,000 Miles worth of Fuel is rather amusing as well.

Edit: Tank is 150 Gallons "water capacity"

[dremd]

Picked up the above mentioned Harbor freight trailer, after 15% off Coupon from my entertainment book it was $171.xx with tax. Weighs in just under 200 lbs. Far from free; but mighty cheap.

Also picked up 10 3/4" ball Valves @ $4.23 Each

Also Built a Trailer hitch for the Golf Total Cost: 1/2 Day driving around looking for receiver tube. (was free when I found it) I need to post pics of it; but IMHO it is the coolest trailer hitch install ever.

[dremd]

double post blah

[dremd]

Got the trailer built; tank mounted, vacuum pump goes on tomorrow. I need a vacuum gauge now. I hope my big valve holds vacuum.

FYI: Louisiana Sucks. it cost me $139.xx to get a license plate for the trailer. err. That made me go back on my mounting so that the trailer can be used without the tank if needed.

Looks like I will be pre-heating my oil (in collection tank) with solar, then doing the final heat up on electric shouldn't take many watts and will save LOTS of trouble + plumbing.

Also decided I need to re-enforce trailer hitch. If for no other reason; for my bike 55lbs on the end of a 28" lever/ mount bounces around quite a bit.

[MPaulHolmes]

You've been busy! pretty dang soon, you will have beat the man like a red-headed step child.

[dremd]

Originally Posted by MPaulHolmes

You've been busy! pretty dang soon, you will have beat the man like a red-headed step child.

Man, I hadn't though of it that way just yet. I think I like it.



I welded on a huge propane tank today; and I didn't die! AWESOME!

Also braced my triller up a bit.

Plumbed up the vac/ pressure lines on the super sucker.

Also looks like I may have a lot of lard available to me. Works great as a summer fuel, but poor cold weather performance; and on the + side has super high Cetane. If I can get a line on more free/ cheap barrels I may stockpile lard BioD during the cold months, and burn it when it is warm out.

I keep hoping that Harbor freight will put the pump on sale; $20 vs $40 isn't all that much but it's become a matter of principal a this point.

[reformed]

How easy is it to collect the oil? Have you done it before?

[dremd]

Originally Posted by reformed

How easy is it to collect the oil? Have you done it before?

I was going to Post "Man I can't find any WVO anyplace" :-)

But it doesn't appear to be to hard. Depending on your local Cuisine + area Drivers it may be easier/ harder.

One of the big advantages of doing Bio-Diesel over SVO is that you can use a much much wider variety of feedstock; Lard, Tallow, bacon Grease, margarine, chicken fat etc etc are all worthwhile fuels for Bio-Diesel. Finding good Canola/ soy is fairly difficult; but if you are willing to give restaurants a barrel and maybe a little$ then it isn't that big of a deal.


If your question was regarding actually getting the oil home.
Holly Cow it is VERY fast. Sucks up about 100 Gallons of water in about 2 minutes, Grease will be much slower, but 25 gallons per minute is not an unreasonable guess. A SVO friend of mine was bragging that his pump could do 1 gallon / Minute with soy! HaHa I can't wait to show him this :-) Who would have thought an Eco-Modder trying how to move fuel faster lol



On the Progress front I got "all" of my leaks sealed up in the super sucker and Re-Built my (2") Valve.

[dremd]

Super Sucker complete!
Pulls water at about 1.5 gallons per second (empties 55 gallon barrel in 40 seconds) in reality it is much faster than that because it takes almost 10 seconds to spin the valve open then another 10 to close it.

I've only collected about 30 gallons so far, I'd guess it pulls about 3/4 gallon/ minute with 80 degF Vegtable oil.

Pretty psyched about it, my SVO buddy was bragging about 1 gallon/ minute through his 1 hp pump :-)

Next: get at least 1 more oil source (would love more) so that I have enough to satisfy my friends 2000 NB thirst as well as mine (she burns more like 2~2.5 gallons per day).

Also I'm waiting on Harbor freight to get my pump + valves back in stock (I have a sale rain check on both now).

this week I want to start making test batches (1 liter) just to get the hang of it. I saw a super cool Magnetic stirrer/ heater on dirty Jobs this weekend. I guess I'll have to build/ find one.

After that I need to find a cheep place for Methanol, which shouldn't be an issue because we have lots of chemical plants with in a 60 Miles radius of my home.

Then Build Processor. . . .

Then Start making Fuel!

[MetroMPG]

Still following with interest...