Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Fossil Fuel Free
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 12-14-2009, 07:43 PM   #1 (permalink)
Aero Apprentice
 
swede's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 59
Thanks: 4
Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts
DIY biodiesel

Hi everyone,
I just recently started a job as a heavy duty diesel mechanics instructor at a college. As one of the exercises for the students we had a fellow come down for a biodiesel demonstration and I must say, I was impressed at the simplicity of the process. If done correctly it can be a cost effective alternative to fossil fuels. The variety of materials that the biodiesel guy had made fuel from was impressive. Some materials lend themselves only to a warm climate, but there are some that work well in a cold climate such as here in manitoba. A few of the more typical materials used were new and used corn and canola oil, which with the correct additive you can safely operate to -30c. Some of the most surprising sources were pressed in an oil seed press, used coffee grounds, yield around 5% oil by wt. and another very interesting prospect was using weed seeds from an edible grain/oilseed cleaning plant. The weed seeds had been removed from the edible grains as part of the cleaning process and were otherwise simply a waste product. This is a very ingenuitive use of a product that has already used all of the energy input of producing an edible product but does not divert food from the market like using new oilseed harvest.

__________________
1994 electricfly EV conversion 36V/450A/60km/h
1997 Suzuki Sprint hatch (parts car?)
1998 Geo Metro sedan 1.3L auto (the wifes)
2009 GMC Sierra 27us/mpg best yet (still workin on it)
  Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to swede For This Useful Post:
Christ (12-14-2009), Dave's Civic Duty (01-06-2010)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 01-06-2010, 04:33 AM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Leavittsburg, Ohio
Posts: 364

Mater - '98 Dodge 3500 Dually

Wilber - '99 Toyota Corolla LX

Minyatta - '93 Mazda Miata MX-5
Thanks: 102
Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts
Hi Swede,

I went to a tech college for a weekend bioD seminar a few months back. Great, I'd do it again as a refresher. I've got a processor under way, a variation of an apple seed using a 55 gallon drum & also working on my wash tank.

Great job in exposing your students to this.

Dave
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Dave's Civic Duty For This Useful Post:
swede (01-22-2010)
Old 01-06-2010, 04:44 AM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Bicycle Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
Posts: 1,803

Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto
Last 3: 42.35 mpg (US)

Stealth RV - '91 Chevy Sprint Base
Thanks: 91
Thanked 459 Times in 327 Posts
Very interesting. On the wet coast, the equipment operators start up and shut down on regular or converted bio-diesel, and then run straight, filtered and heated, waste vegetable oil all day.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 05:02 AM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Leavittsburg, Ohio
Posts: 364

Mater - '98 Dodge 3500 Dually

Wilber - '99 Toyota Corolla LX

Minyatta - '93 Mazda Miata MX-5
Thanks: 102
Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts
Yep, that's called a two tank system. But since I have a Kubota 3 cyl. diesel & a Dodge Cummins it would be more practical for me to just make bioD.

Until this VX landed in my lap, I was looking for a diesel daily driver as well.

A friend of mine runs 2 tank systems in an 81 VW Rabbit & an 84 MB. He loves it.

Smells like fries & no one dies!
Dave
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 01:13 PM   #5 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Bicycle Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
Posts: 1,803

Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto
Last 3: 42.35 mpg (US)

Stealth RV - '91 Chevy Sprint Base
Thanks: 91
Thanked 459 Times in 327 Posts
I told my farming friend about the pressed weed seeds, and he says that they are used for cattle feed here. Too bad people still eat animals- it increases our land use by several times.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2010, 12:53 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Leavittsburg, Ohio
Posts: 364

Mater - '98 Dodge 3500 Dually

Wilber - '99 Toyota Corolla LX

Minyatta - '93 Mazda Miata MX-5
Thanks: 102
Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts
I gave up eating animals over 11 years ago. I hear you on that one. My cholesterol went from borderline to all my number totaling 164 the last time I had it checked at the Cleveland Clinic.

I never really eat that much even as a kid.

Happy New Year,
Dave
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2010, 06:07 PM   #7 (permalink)
home of the odd vehicles
 
rmay635703's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere in WI
Posts: 3,874

Silver - '10 Chevy Cobalt XFE
Thanks: 495
Thanked 863 Times in 650 Posts
Interesting thread, I believe the best way of making Biodiesel is using a solid catalyst where you add nothing and take nothing out, just electricity.

Anyone remember what the catalyst was? I believe there is one company using it but only on massive installations.

Making that system DIY would remove the chemical concerns out of making Biodiesel.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2010, 07:48 PM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Leavittsburg, Ohio
Posts: 364

Mater - '98 Dodge 3500 Dually

Wilber - '99 Toyota Corolla LX

Minyatta - '93 Mazda Miata MX-5
Thanks: 102
Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts
Really, I've never read anything on that. I even get the Biodiesel Magazine & never was enlightened on that process.

Very interesting, do you have any links on that?

Thanks,
Dave
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2010, 10:50 PM   #9 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919

Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
The only way I know is to replace the glycerine (glycerides) with alcohols (ehtyl or methyl, depending on your skill/preference, mostly)
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"

  Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2010, 11:17 PM   #10 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Bicycle Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
Posts: 1,803

Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto
Last 3: 42.35 mpg (US)

Stealth RV - '91 Chevy Sprint Base
Thanks: 91
Thanked 459 Times in 327 Posts
I've heard of the lye and alcohol method, which leaves glycerine behind, and a method with enzymes; never a solid catalyst.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
AC vs DC for DIY MazdaMatt Fossil Fuel Free 15 03-06-2009 09:33 AM
Three Dirt Cheap DIY Electric Cars - Part 4 SVOboy EcoModder Blog Discussion 3 12-12-2008 08:14 PM
Three Dirt Cheap DIY Electric Cars - Part 3 SVOboy EcoModder Blog Discussion 0 12-05-2008 10:30 PM
Biodiesel resources in Los Angeles? cfg83 Fossil Fuel Free 0 07-02-2008 04:30 PM
Call To Action! Please Help Save AZ Biodiesel SVOboy General Efficiency Discussion 4 05-02-2008 06:56 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com