Biodiesel questions

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Alright guys, I'm just starting to do my research on biodiesel, thinking about switching over on my '93. I've got a couple of questions... bear with my ignorance on this subject. I want to be as educated as possible before attempting to make the leap.



First off, I've found home biodiesel setups all over the internet for usually around $3000 or more. There's one on Biofuel basics website for $750, or $350 if you find your own drum and pump... are the other ones that much better, or is the cheap one missing some major parts I would need to add to the setup? Has anyone used their kit that could tell me how they liked it?



Further, most of these things seem like they're basically just a bunch of pumps, hoses, filters, and tanks... why can't I got to some industrial supply store and make my own system for half the price? Does anyone know where I could find a basic setup plan of what the system needs, so I could design my own?



What's to stop me from buying an in-bed refueling tank, and building a system off of that as opposed to a 55 gallon drum or holding tank?



Once you start running on biodiesel, an you switch back and forth to regular pump diesel if you're on a trip away from home, or can't get to a source of fuel, or something of the like?



What do you do in winter? Can you start mixing the home brew with some winterized pump diesel, or do you switch back entirely to pump diesel, or is there an additive?



If I wanted to add propane or water/methanol injection to my truck, how does that react with the biodiesel? Any issues in running the truck that way? As I recall, methanol is among the chemicals used in making biodiesel, so I'm a little concerned how that would react.



How's the performance? I know I've heard the truck should run and perform better off of the biodiesel, but I'd like to hear from someone with a tuned truck running biodiesel how they like it.



As I understand it, biodiesel can be corrosive to certain materials. Do I need to change out any seals, lines, pumps, or even the whole tank, to run my truck on biodiesel? Everyone says you don't have to modify your motor... but what about everything else the biodiesel touches?



Have I gone over my quota of questions yet? Any help from anyone with any kind of intelligence on this subject would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Further, most of these things seem like they're basically just a bunch of pumps, hoses, filters, and tanks... why can't I got to some industrial supply store and make my own system for half the price?



You can. Make some mini batches to see exactly what's involved, and make your own setup. I did. Most people do. Everybody's setup is a little diffrerent.



Does anyone know where I could find a basic setup plan of what the system needs, so I could design my own?

Look at the current systems available and asemble the parts. There's nothing to stop you from doing that at all.



What's to stop me from buying an in-bed refueling tank, and building a system off of that as opposed to a 55 gallon drum or holding tank?



Nothing but time and ambition!



Once you start running on biodiesel, an you switch back and forth to regular pump diesel if you're on a trip away from home, or can't get to a source of fuel, or something of the like?



You can switch back and forth and blend. No problem.



What do you do in winter? Can you start mixing the home brew with some winterized pump diesel, or do you switch back entirely to pump diesel, or is there an additive?



Depends on the temps you're running and your level of ambition. The colder it is, the more winterized fuel you will want to blend in. Do freezer test with test tubes of you fuel to see the actual cloud point of the fuel. Blend in more diesel fuel if it clouds too early. Too much work? Run Winterized fuel when the temps drop.





If I wanted to add propane or water/methanol injection to my truck, how does that react with the biodiesel? Any issues in running the truck that way? As I recall, methanol is among the chemicals used in making biodiesel, so I'm a little concerned how that would react.



No problem here.



How's the performance? I know I've heard the truck should run and perform better off of the biodiesel, but I'd like to hear from someone with a tuned truck running biodiesel how they like it.



Not much different. Try it and see for yourself. Some claim they can tell the difference. Some cannot.



As I understand it, biodiesel can be corrosive to certain materials. Do I need to change out any seals, lines, pumps, or even the whole tank, to run my truck on biodiesel? Everyone says you don't have to modify your motor... but what about everything else the biodiesel touches?



Biodiesel has proven to dissolve soft metals. Take the overflow valve out of a 12V that's running Bio and see that the zinc coating on the bottom is gone. It also dissolves the bonding agent in some rubbers and makes it soft. The bio will begin to sweat through the hose, and eventually it will leak. Your truck should be fine, but remember: you are running it on fuel that you make in your garage. Bad stuff can and will happen. If that stresses you, stick with regular fuel.

Not to stand on a soapbox here, but I've been making and running Bio since long before most folks ever heard of it. I've heard all kinds of warnings from all kinds of people. I was told-"You'll ruin the pump, ruin the injectors, plug your fuel filters. " Some of it was even true... but I figured "It's just a car. If I break it. I'll fix it. " If you can't live with that, avoid Home Brewing your fuel. There is a learning curve.



Have I gone over my quota of questions yet?



No. I don't think so.



Any help from anyone with any kind of intelligence on this subject would be appreciated.



I should have read this part first... I'm not qualified to answer. . I'm not that intelligent. :-laf

Forget everything I just posted.

Joe

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Thanks for the replies, that was a lot of help in getting an idea of what I need to do.



I've read that once made, the biodiesel needs to be left to settle out, obviously if I make my brewer off of an in-bed tank, there's not going to be much settling unless I park the truck for however long it needs to settle. Is there any kind of filtration I can do to pull out the same contaminents just by running it through?

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Thanks for the replies, that was a lot of help in getting an idea of what I need to do.



I've read that once made, the biodiesel needs to be left to settle out, obviously if I make my brewer off of an in-bed tank, there's not going to be much settling unless I park the truck for however long it needs to settle. Is there any kind of filtration I can do to pull out the same contaminents just by running it through?

No, you can't filter it. It's not a contaminant, so to speak. When you make Biodiesel you are cleaving a glycerol molecule off of a triglyceride. You end up with three Methyl Acid Esters (the Bio) and Glycerol. The Glycerol settles to the bottom of the tank because it's heavier. It will eventually solidify, if your reaction goes well, except for a small boundary layer.

The description of the reaction can vary depending on what you start with and what chmicals you use to make the Bio, but that's the general idea.

Joe

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Would boucing it around in a tank in the bed of my truck undermind the reaction? I imagine it would'nt settle out well, and I'd end up with a suspension solution with the glycerol in the diesel. I don't imagine it would reverse the chemical reaction though... could it?

 

[PhatB]

Unless you park your truck for the entire time it takes to make a batch of bio, you should not put a processor in your truck.



Just my $0. 02