Schur Ecofuel

[Msilbernagel]

Alternative Veg-Oil Blend: Schur Ecofuel

This thread is started for discussion of Hans Schur's "Ecofuel", an alternative fuel best labelled as a vegetable oil blend (not biodiesel).



The following description is a translation from the German Wikipedia pages. The translation has been slightly edited below for readability.



Schur mixture from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



The Schur mixture is named after H. Schur. Invented approximately 1993, his idea consists of a procedure which uses pure vegetable oil (Pöl, or SVO) and a mixture of other materials in relatively small portion for use in conventional (unmodified) diesel engines.



Normally, unblended (pure) SVO has a substantially higher viscosity than conventional Diesel fuel. Furthermore the flashpoint is higher, which causes starting problems with cold weather and cold engines.



In October 2000 published report describes the results of its experiments with “SCHUR ECOFUEL”, calling it a Diesel fuel substitute.



Some driver's of direct-injection engines (e. g. the Cummins) are running on this mixture today, despite known issues found in various (unrelated) tests using 100% vegetable oil in unmodified diesel engines and fuel systems.



Production, components:



The vegetable oil forms the largest proportion of the blended mixture at approximately 80%. Two additional components of gasoline and Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) provide the remaining 20%. The mixing proportion can be adapted depending upon weather and individual experience with each engine, following basic principles (see below) to to improve performance as needed. (Mark: 80/14/6 is the ratio I see most commonly mentioned)



Principle:



Two components, two goals: Gasoline is a suitable additive for reducing viscosity, making the vegetable oil less 'thick'. Even 10% gasoline in the SVO makes a substantial difference. Thus the fuel can be better atomized by the injectors into the combustion chamber, yielding better ignition. A further effect is a so-called cascade ignition. Even with gasoline's tendency to resist self-ignition (low cetane), the volatile fuel supports the burn after the ignition of the mixture. (Mark: diesel starts, gas is lit by diesel)



The isopropyl alcohol is the opposite of gasoline in that IPA does self-ignite under pressure (as required for a good diesel combustion cycle) and causes ignition of the mixture at lower compression temperatures than with pure vegetable oil (approx. 300°C).



In interaction these factors result in a fuel mixture that without transesterification processes (as with bio Diesel), approximates the combustion and performance characteristics of the fossil fuel, Diesel.



Byhttp://de. wikipedia.org/wiki/Schur-Mischung “



Category: Combustion engine



More to come...



FYI - Mark

 

[Msilbernagel]

Additional information from a forum, regarding testing of the Schur blended fuel:



There is a blend that uses plant oils and was very close to being put to market in Germany. One of the researchers name is Hans Peter Schur. The formula was patented but has expired. Google search Schur Ecofuel, it's a bend 80% canola oil 15% gasoline 5% isoproplyl alcohol. Here's a quick blurb from a crappy google translation, for those who can't search



"A Mercedes Benz of 300 turbo-Diesels is operated without problems since more than 200,000 km with the fuel. The engine of this vehicle was so far three times partly divided and examined by the company Hoeckele, Moessingen, (see reports). The results were very positive. Were neither nonspecific carbon deposits to recognize nor gluings of the piston rings or other damage. Surprising way was cleaner the inside of the engine with each examination of the engine than during the preceding dismantling, which suggests that the fuel has also a cleaning effect. The emission values of the vehicle were measured twice with the TUEV and found good. "



FYI - Mark

 

[Msilbernagel]

Additional blending information regarding Schur's blend, or blending in general, found in the Greasel forums, or VegOil forms (do a Google on "schur ecofuel"):



The upper limit for the use of RUG (regular unleaded gasoline) in any blend appears to be 30%, but should be approached through testing - who wants to get stranded?



Use of alcohol(s) in blends could cause problems with lubricity - so be careful. There is a characteristic of IPA (isopropyl alcohol) that is advantageous over methanol or ethanol. It will blend to a much higher percentage before saturation in WVO: 40% versus less than 10%. IPA is a commonly used additive to 'capture' water in fuel, even diesel, but usually at low volumes.



There may be a distinction here in that Schur's testing (I believe) was with SVO and not WVO (unused oil, not recovered/recycled). I've heard of no unanticipated problems, but of course using WVO exposes you to water and other contaminants (sugars, solids, acids, etc) - so they are all known risks. Get good oil and filter it well.



Commonly found IPA is 70% (rubbing alcohol, that's 30% water!!) - Schur's blend uses anhydrous (99%+) alcohol. You could tolerate a few %, but I wouldn't recommend 30...



IPA is expensive ($8+/gallon in volume from chemical suppliers). However, I've found that recyclers recovering it from PC (electronics) manufacturing offer it for around $3/gallon here on the left coast.



FYI - Mark

 

[Msilbernagel]

Last thoughts for the day, regarding a frequently asked question when using RUG in blended diesel substitutes:



What does it do to cetane?



The answer is non-intuitive, evidently.



There are two interesting components to consider. First, physical . vs. chemical ignition delay and second, a 'cascading' effect as the fuel which ignites sooner then ignites the next, which ignites the next. In the case of Shur's blend, IPA is a third component in the cascade.



Here is a link to an excellent description of the PID/CID process and why the 'apparent' cetane remains as high as it does in spite of the gasolines 'octane' and tendency to resist self-ignition: Biodiesel / SVO forum post on PID/CID



The text (for posterity, as links seem to expire over time) follows here:



Kugelsicher

Member



Posted 29 May 2005 09:58 PM

Here ya go, greenoil. I just posted this a couple of days ago, in reply to another post, but it's worth repeating. I think all your questions are answered below, except one, and I'll answer that one now... . The thing that makes diesel people freak out about putting RUG into a diesel is the lack of lubricity. If you over dilute any diesel fuel with enough gasoline, you will probably toast your mechanical injection pump, and it will seize up. BUT, since some older Mercedes and Ford owner's manuals say that it is safe to add up to 20-30% RUG to your PetroDiesel fuel to "winterize" it, then I KNOW it has to be safe to blend that much (or less) into WVO, and it will STILL be a better lube than 100% PetroDiesel. Now on to the rest...



Blending 20-25% RUG with Veggie DOES NOT lower the "overall" cetane value of the fuel; it actually RAISES the overall cetane value.



Yes, RUG has a cetane value so low that it is not even on the scale... . it is on the octane scale. BUT, remember that there are 2 basic components to overall fuel cetane value:



1) Physical Ignition Delay (PID). This has to do with how long it takes for the fuel spray to mix with the air charge and find enough oxygen to autoignite. The shorter the time, the higher the cetane value for that component.

2) Chemical Ignition Delay (CID). This has to do with the Auto-ignition Temperature (AIT) of the fuel. The higher the AIT, the longer the CID and, therefore, the lower the cetane value. The reverse is also true: the lower the AIT, the shorter the CID, and, therefore, the higher the cetane value for that component.



RUG has a HIGHER AIT than WVO/SVO. RUG has a MUCH LOWER viscosity than WVO/SVO. Blending 15-25% RUG with WVO/SVO lowers the viscosity significantly, and SHORTENS the PID so much, compared to 100%, UNHEATED WVO/SVO, that the any negative CID contribution of the RUG is negligible, if not eliminated. Bottom line, blending RUG with WVO/SVO, at the ratios normally used here, RAISES THE OVERALL CETANE VALUE of the fuel blend.



Think about it. When the fuel is injected in the combustion chamber, you have free VO molecules and free RUG molecules mixing with the air and "looking" for oxygen. (I realize that RUG is a blend of Hydrocarbons, but for the sake of simplicity, here, we can safely assume a homogeneous RUG. ) As soon as enough VO finds and mixes with the correct amount of oxygen, and the compression temperature reaches the AIT of the VO - BOOM - the VO will ignite, and it does indeed ignite first, and probably at multiple points througout the fuel/air mixture. THEN, because we now have a flame, with still more oxygen available, the RUG molecules will begin to ignite and help propogate the flame more quickly and efficiently throughout the combustion chamber. At this point, once the flame has started, cetane value is much less relevant, if not totally irrelevant.



I use PowerService Diesel Kleen (PSDK), which gives a 6pt cetane boost. It affects the CID of the blend, because it has a lower AIT than does the WVO. However, I DO NOT NEED to use it for startup, especially in warmer weather. I have and can successfully start up on just a blend of 75/25 or 80/20 WVO/RUG, WITHOUT the PSDK added. The main reason I add it, is because of the DETERGENT value (it helps keep the injection system clean and reduces carbon build-up) and improved combustion efficiency. However, it is a big help with startup in winter, and reduces wear and tear on my starter/batteries.



The biggest concern about running a WVO/RUG blend is finding the ratio that gives the desired results - better cold startup, improved combustion, and more power! - but without causing cylinder knock. That is purely experimental and will vary from engine to engine. But it is not a problem and, if you start with a lower ratio and work up slowly, you should be able to find the "Happy Spot" for your blend.



Oh yeah, one other thing. Blending with RUG really helps in lowering the gelpoint temp of the fuel.



I DO NOT recommend blending RUG for those that are running a heated system. Heating it can cause vapor bubbles in your fuel system.



Hope this helps!





Good Vegging and God Bless!!

24,000 veggie/blend miles and counting! Smile



Kugel

Posts: 600 | Location: South Alabama, USA | Registered: 20 October 2002

- end of posting



Well, I'm off for a few days in the mountains with family. If it takes a bit to get back to you, please know I'm not ignoring you!



Thanks for reading, and Regards,





Mark

 

[cj hall]

new fuel

hello mark

yes this sounds good ,are you going to try this this might be the blend to use in the winter time keep us posted on this



cj hall

 

[Msilbernagel]

cj,



Yes - in fact I gave it a try this weekend, at about 50%. Starts and runs fine in the mountain mornings (54-ish) - we went up to Rimrock lake (Cascades, near Mt. Ranier). It's about 325 miles round trip, and I towed the 25' trailer up and a 17' boat back, averaging between 13-15mpg (still no meter on the mixing setup!). I'll be doing another RT later this week to pick up the trailer and the fam that stayed behind to play some more.



I filled it up again when I got home, so I'll be starting at about 80% again in the AM. Should be interesting - I'll hold off on the block heater to see how it does cold starting. Forecast is for a morning temp of 60F in the AM...



I'll have to try your experiment, cj, and do the 'freezer test' to see where the stuff begins to gell. I'll let you know when I get there, it may take a bit.



Regards,



Mark

-

hello mark

yes this sounds good ,are you going to try this this might be the blend to use in the winter time keep us posted on this



cj hall

 

[Msilbernagel]

Report: DIESEL FUEL SUBSTITUTE FROM VEGETABLE OIL

FYI,



What follows is a "Babel Fish" translation of a German AOL web page containing a report on Schur Ecofuel, testing, and results. The translation lacks the pictures, so to see the report and table you'll need to run the translation yourself. Still, the test results are interesting!



Regards,



Mark

-

Found at: Schur Echofuel Report



DIESEL FUEL SUBSTITUTE FROM VEGETABLE OIL



Provide 1995, shortened and publish October 2000



Table of contents



WHAT ARE THE CONCRETE ADVANTAGES OF VEGETABLE OIL FUELS ?



DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENTS



ester width unit vegetable oil



The vegetable oil engine



SCHUR ECOFUEL



SUMMARY OF THE SCHUR ECOFUEL OF PROCEDURE



TECHNICAL INFORMATION



SCHUR ECOFUEL FUEL SUBSTITUTE FROM VEGETABLE OIL



WHAT ARE THE CONCRETE ADVANTAGES OF VEGETABLE OIL FUELS ?



[introductory text removed to reduce size]



SCHUR ECOFUEL



With the SCHUR ECOFUEL now the at present most optimal substitute is available for Diesel fuels. Are offered a set of unique advantages:



Simple production



There SCHUR ECOFUEL of roughly pressed, entschleimtem and filtered vegetable oil to be made knows, is both central and decentralized processing conceivable. The actual production of the fuel is limited to mixing approximately 80 % vegetable oil with approximately 20 % additives, which compatible the vegetable oil for diesel engines makes. As main raw material offer themselves a multiplicity of well-known vegetable oils.



Universal application.



SCHUR ECOFUEL does not know only conventional Diesel fuel replaced, but can also with this in each relationship be mixed, without thereby damage arises. In addition vegetable oil is an excellent lubricant, which can lead to an extension of the life span of engines.



Economic aspects



The simple production of SCHUR ECOFUEL leads to a reduced cost. Investments for new ester plants are not necessary and the fuel can in decentralized production enterprises be manufactured, in order to avoid long routes of transportation and associated risks. A further advantage of the SCHUR ECOFUEL is in the fact that with production no by-products develop, whereby marketing strategies for by-products are void. The power requirement for production from SCHUR ECOFUEL is, compared with other manufacturing processes, than designating minimum.



Comparison with vegetable oil engines



Not simply the development of a vegetable oil engine is to be compared with the development of the SCHUR ECOFUEL, since the developments run into different directions, on use "resembles" fuel. In the case of the vegetable oil engine development the engine was adapted to the fuel (vegetable oil ).



The development of the SCHUR ECOFUEL adapts the fuel (vegetable oil) to the engine and thus is possible an immediate use of vegetable oils as fuel in large quantities. The technical requirements of the used fuel is identical in both cases, since roughly pressed vegetable oil can be used. With the SCHUR ECOFUEL PROCEDURE requires it additionally only a mixing unit, which does not represent large investments.



Applicable oil plants



As raw materials for the processing to SCHUR ECOFUEL are suitable a multiplicity of oil plants, e. g. :



Cotton



Raps



Soja



Sunflowers



The oils of these plants can be used after availability and also mixed.



SUMMARY OF THE SCHUR ECOFUEL OF PROCEDURE



Product



Fuel for diesel engines from vegetable oil



Production



The new fuel is manufactured by mixing four basic components and can be continuously produced either in single loads or.



Raw materials



All raw materials, which are necessary for the SCHUR ECOFUEL PROCEDURES, are freely available at the market.



Costs



The costs of SCHUR ECOFUEL depend on the prices of the individual components in the respective countries. On the European market the product is competitive to conventional Diesel fuel, presupposed the product from the oil tax is released.



Equipment



Tank of different volume for raw materials and finished product, dosing equipment for additives, mixers and pumps.



Attempt of a valuation



On the basis of the facts described so far, SCHUR ECOFUEL is obviously the most economic, simplest and therefore probably the at present only practicable way to use vegetable oils as Diesel fuel in relatively short time. The conversion of diesel engines to vegetable oil Diesel fuel can be accomplished, without for this in Veresterungs lay close be invested must, with all their disadvantages. In addition it is not necessary to provide an infrastructure for the availability and the service for new engines.



With the SCHUR ECOFUEL exists an optimal Diesel substitute, which is producible under simplest conditions, also country-specific characteristics , einfachst and economically, everywhere.



TECHNICAL INFORMATION



Attempts and results



About 100 different Diesel units are operated at present with SCHUR ECOFUEL. Of 1,6 litres of Diesel cars up to LKWs (VOLVO F 12) an extensive spectrum is tested. At the engines no changes were made.



At the university high home, Stuttgart, Germany, was driven an engine permanent run of over 650 hours on the test stand (fig. 1). The engine was examined by the engine manufacturer (MWM Mannheim). The result was addressing according to statements of the responsible persons.



A Mercedes Benz of 300 turbo-Diesels is operated without problems since more than 200,000 km with the fuel. The engine of this vehicle was so far three times partly divided and by the companies. Hoeckle, Moessingen, examined (see reports). The results were very positive. Were neither nonspecific carbon deposits to recognize nor gluings of the piston rings or other damage. Surprising way was cleaner the inside of the engine with each examination of the engine than during the preceding dismantling, which suggests that the fuel has also a cleaning effect. The emission values of the vehicle were measured twice with the TUEV and found good.



A tractor (DEUTZ), which for more than 1800 hours with SCHUR ECOFUEL is operated, perfectly one divided and one examined after a run achievement from approximately 1200 hours. The obtained results were again very positive. According to enclosed report no significant damage was visible and all experts was very content with the results.



A tractor (Holder), which for more than 1400 hours with SCHUR ECOFUEL is operated, after a run achievement from approximately 700 hours, by a mechanic of the engine manufacturer (KHD), completely one divided. The results corresponded more near above to the described.



So far with the SCHUR ECOFUEL a complete run achievement was reached of more as 1. 000. 000 km in pre-chamber diesel engines and more than 8000 hours in directly injecting diesel engines.



Experiences and recommendations



Past experiences showed that in dependence of the purity of the used vegetable oil, a verkuerzung of the changing interval for fuel filters becomes necessary.



In order to prevent the negative consequences of schmieroelverduennungen, we recommend a halving of the oil change interval with directinjecting diesel engines.



Directinjecting diesel engines are not applicable when main use in the Niederlastbereich (under 30 % load during longer periods) without Diesel fuel admixture (at least 50 %).



- table removed (size, formatting)



All data were determined. Many merging were examined not for cooling stability, there the requirement to the RWS Diesel on a flash point entspr. Diesel fuel, as well as energy content of the mixture and practical tests lay.



In the following a report on the investigation railways 300 of turbo-Diesel, with mileage approx. . 70. 000



Peter@hpschur. de

 

[Msilbernagel]

FYI - started ok this AM (low 60s) running ~80% of the Schur blend - balance #2 (left overs). I will continue to push it to 100% with subsequent top-ups or until some problem arises. Thus far, 350+ miles on it and counting.



Mark

 

[clw1100]

E85 and SVO or WVO

I have been doing some reading over on the Biodiesel websites (Mark Girls and others) and a few Mercedes websites. What do you think about a modified formula using 80% SVO or WVO and 20% E85. ? I was also reading about this "Master Formula" being talked about



example:

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/719605551/m/555604723/p/1

Masters Formula via Oil Can Harry

Ok, here is the new thread, on KoH and Ethanol. .

Pretty much the same rules apply as regular Methanol, use 200 proof denatured Ethanol, as anything less will have water, and that will screw up your mixture, otherwise just heat to 55C, agitate well and thats it, you are finished,, filter and pour it into your tank and off you go...



For those just seeing the formula for the first time it is. .



1 liter of oil

250 ml of Ethanol

4 grams of KoH



What do you guys think?



Thanks,

Craig.

 

[Msilbernagel]

Craig,



I considered Oil Can Henry's "Masters Blend", but E85 isn't to be found in these parts yet... I think the Oregon State motor pool is slated to have some soon, and one additional site which is also private. I talked to an ethanol manufacturer last week, and they're just getting going (new plant in Eastern Oregon somewhere) - so. . from what I can read at the E85 website and elsewhere it's a ways out.



Although, I did follow a "Flexfuel" Chevy Impala today. . (signs of impending E85 availability). If it would speed things up, I'm all for dumping the mid-grade gasolines anyway (!)



Back to the blend: Ethanol is *expensive*... normally, but, if you could find it recycled like I did the Isopropyl, perhaps then it would be sufficiently economical to be a good alternative.



The questions I'd have with the blend is... would there be remnants of lye when it's done and would that be corrosive or otherwise harmful to the high pressure fuel pump (cp3 in my case)?



Just reading on the forums, it appears to be working Ok for them.



It seems that, essentially, you convert about 1/3 of the WVO to ethyl ester (bioD) and the balance is diluted WVO (with ethanol).



My thoughts so far - I haven't tried it yet.



You?



Mark

--

I have been doing some reading over on the Biodiesel websites (Mark Girls and others) and a few Mercedes websites. What do you think about a modified formula using 80% SVO or WVO and 20% E85. ? I was also reading about this "Master Formula" being talked about



example:

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/719605551/m/555604723/p/1

Masters Formula via Oil Can Harry

Ok, here is the new thread, on KoH and Ethanol. .

Pretty much the same rules apply as regular Methanol, use 200 proof denatured Ethanol, as anything less will have water, and that will screw up your mixture, otherwise just heat to 55C, agitate well and thats it, you are finished,, filter and pour it into your tank and off you go...



For those just seeing the formula for the first time it is. .



1 liter of oil

250 ml of Ethanol

4 grams of KoH



What do you guys think?



Thanks,

Craig.

 

[clw1100]

E85 availability

Luckily we do have E85 available in my area. It is approx $2. 75 gallon from a gas station nearby. From what I have read I think that it will work. I am going to do a little more research and then do a few small test batches. I will post what I find out. One question for you guys, will the ethanol do anything to my VP or any other engine components. ?



Thanks,

Craig.

 

[Msilbernagel]

Craig,



There is a "safe WVO diesel blends" thread on the same website (Biodiesel & SVO Forums) -- you might check and see if anyone has complained about alcohol related failures.



You don't have a "sig", so I'm not sure what you're driving. Some of the pumps may not be as forgiving as others; I've seen threads 'over there' describing which fuel systems are ok or not ok with the thicker SVO/WVO blended fuels. I think the only danger with alcohols (and anything in the blend) is diluting to the point of losing lubricity or opening the system up to corrosion.



It would be interesting to contact some of the folks rebuilding CP3s and VP44s for performance, to see if they have any specific knowledge about what is good/bad for the pumps? I'd bet we could find a few in the competition forum?



When you're ready to launch - why not start a "Masters Blend" thread and keep us posted? That'll give us three alternatives to keep an eye on through the winter... :-laf



Good luck,



Mark

-

Luckily we do have E85 available in my area. It is approx $2. 75 gallon from a gas station nearby. From what I have read I think that it will work. I am going to do a little more research and then do a few small test batches. I will post what I find out. One question for you guys, will the ethanol do anything to my VP or any other engine components. ?



Thanks,

Craig.

 

[Msilbernagel]

Hello Everyone,



Just loaded up a second time, having run it down to about 1/4 tank. Mixed up another 30 gallons (80/14/6) and topped it off... so, with it being 75%+ before it's 98%+ now and running fine. Still have a little blue clould at startup (AM only, the rest are fine), but it smooths out after 5 seconds or so and we're good to go.



Mileage continues to run between 18. 5 and 20mpg rural/town mixed driving - and it doesn't seem to lose the 1-1. 5mpg that bioD seemed to. Plenty of power towing the trailer over 6%+ grades. I've put another 600+ miles on it since the last post and am very pleased with results/performance.



Since the additional ingredients are about $3/gal, cost before additives (PS at this point) is about $0. 60/gal. In the winter I'm hoping to hold onto at least 50/50 blend to #2... we'll see.



I discovered the rubberised garden hoses I'd been using were literally turning to (rubber) dust as the fuel flowed through. Made short work of a filter, so I've upgraded to fuel hoses from the local farm supply, and a portable pump designed for fuel, and added a fuel filter behind the whole house unit I'd started with. I emptied the tank with it - into a 55 gallon drum, and then back so that everything was filtered well. No problems since.



Regards,



Mark

 

[Msilbernagel]

Update:



As of this week, I've run around 5900 miles on WVO blends, beginning about the first of July. Of that, about 50% has been on the Schur blend and the first 3000 on DSE.



Over that period of time, I've made 4 trips with a 25' trailer, and kept the ratio of WVO between 50% and 100%.



Between the two blends, I can't tell a difference with regard to mileage or performance once warm, but it seems like the Schur blend does better cold starting at 75% and up.



This past week was the first time the ambient temps got into the 40's, briefly. The 12V transfer pump could barely get the oil through the filters; I settled for about 1/2 tank worth that morning. I can see where heat will be necessary this winter!



Picked up a barrel heater off eBay today, and a steel barrel thru Craig's list, so I can get a good place to 'settle' the oil and warm it enough for blending and filtering. Seems like as long as the oil is in the high 50's (F) or better it filters just fine (5 micron). Temps in the 40's works fine in the truck, just a little too thick for the xfer pump...



Lastly, I did experiment a little with the ratio of RUG (regular unleaded) to IPA (isopropyl alcohol), briefly trying 10% of each. There was a marked drop in cold-start performance, so I've gone back to 15%RUG and 5%IPA...



Regards,



Mark

 

[Cummnzpowr]

...

Excellent Thread!! I can't believe no one has posted to this yet. I have added 1 gal of "rug" to my tank once with a 100% SVO blend, didn't notice anything bad from it. . so this might work. Oo.

 

[Msilbernagel]

Actually, it has been working great for both cj and I. I think most of the issues have been self-inflicted (getting the right filtering and blending setups, hoses that don't melt, etc. ). Cj has two different 3rd Gen rigs and has a lot of miles between them with no engine problems to be found.



For those of you with newer trucks, I understand that potentially voiding warranties would give most of us pause to think! For me, that's not an issue, and sub dollar-per-gallon fuel cost is appealing, particularly with the 40-gallon tank my Suburban has ( :{ at $3. 60/gal!)



The idea of blending with RUG was counter-intuitive to me. I first read about it in some of the forums dedicated to biodiesel and Vegoils... and when I read their description of why (to a point) it worked, it made sense. Our experience bears it out so far.



My goal is to get the storing, blending, filtering (etc) setup to be simple, clean, and efficient so I dont find myself just going back to #2 because its too much trouble to mix a batch. I know myself! I think it is pretty much "there", now that I have a heated barrel. The last thing I am planning is to pick up a tent like covering so I am not out in the rain blending this winter (!). They have them down at Costco for $150 or so - using galvanized poles and heavy-duty tarp like coverings that seem like they will last a few years. It also serves to keep the blending and storage setup neat and clean looking so mama isnt giving me the "look".



Thanks for reading,



Mark

-

Excellent Thread!! I can't believe no one has posted to this yet. I have added 1 gal of "rug" to my tank once with a 100% SVO blend, didn't notice anything bad from it. . so this might work. Oo.

 

[Msilbernagel]

Just an update. Overnight temps are now dipping into the 30s, and the truck continues to start and run well. I'm presently running between 50% and 75% of the blend (. vs. #2).



FYI - Mark

 

[Msilbernagel]

Hello All,



We're in the last days of November now, and temps dipped into the low-mid 20's last night. I had plugged in the block heater, but with no other provisions things started and ran just fine. I think the blend is a little low (50% or less) because I'd not had a chance to mix... but with the cold temps, I doubt I'll go above 75% or so anyway.



I did an oil analysis with my last change (had been running Schaffer's synthetic 5-40w), and told the lab what I had for fuel. No sign of it's appearing in the oil, and everything was within the limits... FYI.



Still not pushing the miles that cj has (that thread is a great one!), but I'm happy!



Take care,



Mark

-

Just an update. Overnight temps are now dipping into the 30s, and the truck continues to start and run well. I'm presently running between 50% and 75% of the blend (. vs. #2).



FYI - Mark

 

[Msilbernagel]

Hello Everyone,



Running about 50% WVO-blend with ULSD #2 these days. Temps dip into the high 20's at night with 30s-50s days; mild compared to parts East. .



Truck is running great.



The fellow who tests my engine oil (Schaeffer's Rep) has volunteered to test the WVO blend for CFPP (etc) at whatever lab he has access to, so I'll be sending off a sample and hope to post the results when they arrive.



Regards,



Mark

 

[JFaughn]

I've not been a fan of the non ester proccess , manly becouse of the gliserin , and the heating of the fuel , to burn , not enough time to heat eng. & 30 gal, of fuel , during normal driving contitions ,
This seems to be making it sound better ,
But the powers that be , are making us go outside the counrty again , becouse they po-po anything that makes them share the $$$ ,
Thanks for the effort .