New Fossil Fuel free Build Begins (biodiesel processor)

[toyobug]

dremd- I'll be home from Iraq the first part of Dec. I'll keep in touch with you through here. I'll most likely be through that area visiting family. I can't wait to see what you've come up with. Good luck during the storm.

[dremd]

Processor build in force.

Things I've learned
1) it is hard work threading 3/4" Black iorn pipe. just buy Threaded nipples it is worth the $
2) Harbor Freight pipe dies are good for about 8 pipe ends.
3) Go ahead and find an electric water heater, adding the element is quite a bit of work.
4) The more storage you have the better. I'm overflowing with veggie oil right now, need to start using it up this week, or get more storage.

I did nab a few pics of the heating chamber.
MobileMe Gallery


I've also decided to go DryWash. I can't stand the idea of having to dry out the oil 2 times, once is trouble enough.

[dremd]

A few More pics up on MobileMe Gallery

Got a full days work in on the project today.

Built 70% of my new Garage :-) (3 car, with 1 enclosed pseudo concrete in the enclosed section)

Got processor 75% assembled, then ran out of yellow Teflon tape (3rd roll! I tend to use to much, but I also hate leaks)

I also burnt up the motor on my vacuum pump last night, so I bought a new pump from harbor freight in hopes it would run on my 500 watt (1000 surge) inverter, but was mistaken.

I put some inserts on my License plate screws, with thumb screws so that my trailer hitch is easier to use, and hopefully I won't loose the plate due to loose screws.
I've now hit the investment point at which I will have to sell some fuel to make it worth wile.

[MPaulHolmes]

this is getting really exciting!!! Will you do a video walking us through the process of refining the oil and driving around? That would be nice!

[dremd]

I hope to.
I have to figure out all of that stuff first. :-)

I keep wanting to make a vid of collecting oil; it's the most impressive part so far; with a full vacuum I can draw about 100 gallons / minute of Canola on a hot day, and the crazy part is it is silent, like EV silent.

[toyobug]

Exciting progress! can't wait to see pics or videos

[dremd]

Good/ bad news; I will be working a heck of a lot for the next 3 weeks, so probably no progress other than getting more barrels until then.

[dremd]

I've got a new over the top idea for my setup (would be cheaper to build a forkenswift already).

A Centrifuge!
I know it would filter the wvo better than anything else, and I'm thinking it would remove a good portion of dissolved water as well; primarily due to the fact that the water mostly in particles, but also due to the fact that oil is lighter than water, so the water should end up trapped . . .

Here's the youtube vid that got me interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxIr4NFl3fs

[dremd]

I picked up Some Barrels Today with the Golf; I'll have to pull them home 150 miles tomorrow; I'm betting that they kill this tank SGII says I'm down around 25mpg at 55mph


See if you can guess how many I got.



I have no Idea why people own trucks.
I Passed an H2 pulling a similar sized trailer with a lawn mower on it; normally I don't pass anyone, but; I just had to :-)

We had the best time watching faces driving it to my friends house :-)

[dremd]

Made it home Last night.
I ended up AeroModding my load by re-stacking the 13 barrels from front to back HUGE Difference. Went from 80% Load @ 55 to 45% load at 55mph. Unfortunately tying down the barrels became much harder, I had to stop every 30~40 miles to re-arrange the straps and pull the tight. Errr The things I do in the name of efficiency.

I also got a giant road sign (6' high*7'wide) to use for my new garage door! Blown down in the hurricane and was headed to the scrap yard, got to make the best of hurricanes!