Bio-Diesel, the other alternative fuel

[NachtRitter]

EPA estimates 3 Billion gallons of waste cooking oil generated each year (see Learn About Biodiesel | Region 9: Biodiesel | US EPA). While it seems like a lot, some of it is sent to rendering plants (couldn't find any reference to how much, but I'd guess over 50%) and some is simply unusable for biodiesel because it is over-used by the restaurants. I'll guess at 40% available for conversion to biodiesel, which is only 1.2 Billion gallons. (Actually, I don't think it's a 1:1 conversion from WVO to biodiesel... but I think it's pretty close.) This assumes that every available bit of WVO can be gathered and converted, which I'm sure is also not realistic.

Granted, the stuff going to the rendering plants could be used for biodiesel, but I don't believe they'd give up on it easily... they receive money both for the pickup of the oil and for the subsequent product they produce.

While I definitely like reducing our reliance on dino-fuels, WVO conversion to biodiesel will reduce overall dino-diesel use by 5% at best, while 1% or less is more likely (2009 diesel consumption was ~43 Billion gallons according to the Energy Information Administration, see U.S. Product Supplied for Crude Oil and Petroleum Products).

[autoteach]

I have made biodiesel with my students. It is a unique fuel, with far better properties than ethanol (IMO). I could spend a lot of time describing transesterfication and biodiesel application, but it would be too lengthy (if you have questions, ask). What I will say, even if it were to be used at only 3% mix (B3), it would provide significant improvements in the emissions from the vehicles using it with possible gains in FE. At 100% (B100), it is much like ethanol, higher NOx and fuel consumption with lower HC, CO, etc. It also is VERY pungent at 100%, like choke you out pungent. If I had a diesel, I would mix at 20-25% for year round consistency to eliminate cold weather problems.

[dcb]

I use b100 and what comes out the tailpipe is much more tolerable and less noxious than the dino version. The reduced mpg over dino is because it is less energy dense than Dino, but I fill up so infrequently it doesn't hardly matter.

WVO may be limited, but algae/rapeseed and whatnot are still getting their legs. The whole lifecycle process is currently pretty dino-centric though, if I understand it, not unlike ethanol.

[autoteach]

Well, when run at 100% in a duramax it produced fumes nearly absent of oxygen- i.e. it felt like I was being asphyxiated. I didnt do a 5 gas analyzer on it, but it wasnt easy to breathe. I seem to think that the FE loss is greater than the BTU loss, but maybe it is me. I theorize it has something to do with the lubricity (3% provides as much as the 500ppm sulfur content, so what does 333% more lubricity do).

edit:
Dont get me wrong, I like the stuff. There are just some nuances.

[UFO]

My mileage is better on B100 than diesel blends, by about 2-3 mpg. And the exhaust is far more tolerable than diesel.

[autoteach]

Which vehicle, are they non turbo? I could definitely see where that would be the case with a vehicle that was somewhat worn out. The other side of it is the process and the oil used. I made that last batch that we ran at 100% from soy bean oil that was unrefined in any way (straight from the crusher). It had a far different finished smell than the WVO produced bio. And, never has any of the bio, WVO or SVO produced, smelled like fries.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by dcb

I use b100 and what comes out the tailpipe is much more tolerable and less noxious than the dino version.

The higher NOx output certainly isn't less noxious - and a very good reason to keep EGR active.

[dcb]

There is certainly much confusion about if NOx is a problem, looks like depending on vehicle/driving style it can go either way.
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels...pdfs/38296.pdf

FWIW, I shift at 2000 rpm. The turbo has hardly kicked in at that point.

It seems the effects on particulate matter is quite good, with 1/2 as much as dino in some cases. the concensus seems to be that retarding the timing a couple degrees fixes the nox, if it is an issue for your vehicle.

I'm curious though, at, do you not believe me that when my car first starts on b100 it smells more like something from the kitchen than short term death (like my neighbors truck that idles for an hour)? This is experience, like every morning, talking here.

[Irukandji83]

The great thing about B20 mixes and below is they usually require little to no modification to the engine. The biggest problem with switching over? Usually replacing a fuel filter because the bio-diesel is higher quality and cleans out your fuel system, booya!

Think about it, a 20% reduction of the 40 billion gallons of diesel used every year would be HUGE in terms of prolonging the petroleum supply and dropping demand i.e. helping bringing the price down. This isn't even considering applications for farming, electricity generators, shipping, ect. It's a very uplifting prospect.

[dcb]

but this is the fossil fuel free forum?!? it seems illogical that a mix of a mere 20% bio keeps coming up.