Bio Diesel contraption

[BPINE]

Just thought I would share my Bio Diesel making machine with you guys. Me and a few buddies have been working on this Bio thing for the past few weeks and this is what we came up with. I have a few gallons in the truck now but hope to have it at 50% by the weekend.



About 99% of the things I do to my truck are risky at best so I figure this time I might as well try to save a buck in the process.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Looks well done - can you give some details of your process, and what your waste supply consists of?

 

[BPINE]

I sure can try, the process is pretty simple the oil collection on the other hand takes a bit of work. I am pretty new to this so I am still learning as I go. So far I have 5 restaurants I collect oil from, the key is to have them on the way home from work so as not to go to far out of your way. Most restaurants don't use as much oil as you will need so you need several with about the same quality of oil.



The process is pretty simple strain the WVO into the reactor (metal drum) heat to 130 degrees, done with a 110 volt water heater element in the bottom of the tank. Figure out how much Methanol and lye (titration) you need and mix. When the oil is 130 degrees pour in the methanol and lye and let it mix for two hours. Wait a day for separation drain off the glycerine and move the bio diesel diesel to the wash tank and wash.



It took me a few weeks of making small batches to get a handle on all this but if you take small steps it comes together pretty good. I have been making small batches with each new source of oil and also checking for water content. There are some real cool sites for this and the people are very helpful. http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/groupee/forums



Let me know if you have any more questions it is really pretty fun. I probably have about 500 bucks in the system and all the supplies you need to make it work. That doesn't include the 50 + hours of goofing around to get where I am at so far.

 

[willyslover]

something I will be looking into with great interest, especially after I get my shop built on the property I bought in I DE HO

my trip expense back to this state for family visits and such will cost me a ton I'm sure so iff'in I can reduce it with 90 gallon mixed tank when I start out and carry a couple 2 or 3 . . 5 gallon cans of it, it will sure help out LOL

 

[JL penner]

what do you do with the by-product?

 

[BPINE]

What I plan to do is distill (not sure if this is the right terminology) the methanal back out for reuse then once a month take the rest to the free city haz mat disposal day. Or you could make soap out of it like some do.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

At this point, subtracting the initial hardware cost, since that can vary widely depending on type and source, what do you figure the final cost per gallon, figuring chemicals, electricity, extra driving for collection, final waste disposal, etc... ?

 

[BPINE]

Near as I can figure it cost me about a buck a gallon right now but I see no reason why I can't get it down to 80 cents. I am sure Methanol costs will go up in the future just like Diesel fuel so that will impact the bottom line but it should be relative. So far I will need no extra driving to pick up oil.



I will start keeping tract of time spent in the future once I get it all figured out.

 

[Cliffman]

I must say that is one good looking "aperatie". Oo. Don't know who built that bad (other name for mule ) bench it all sits on but he must be one hell of a woodworker . Hey Blair, I'm almost on empty can I stop by for some "Pinebiodiesel"

 

[Bob Wagner]

Looks great Blair. great work

 

[Scrappy]

I thought the methanol was consumed in the process? you could also sell the glycerine to somebody that makes soap, so there is very little to dispose of.

 

[BPINE]

I thought the methanol was consumed in the process? you could also sell the glycerine to somebody that makes soap, so there is very little to dispose of.

Some of the methanol is lost to evaporation but most settles out in the glycerin.

 

[KBennett]

Very nice!



I have been looking into running 20% bio in my TDI Beetle. One of the folks on tdiclub.com had an issue with moisture ruining the pump on his TDI. I guess it had rust pitting on the internal parts.



How do you make sure all of the moisture is out of the oil?

 

[Got Smoke?]

I was just saying that myself, my cousin, and a friend should go into together and buy one of those machines to my g/f last night.



Then you post this. I would absolutely LOVE more pictures and as much detailed info as possible. I just filled up a few minutes ago for $2. 29 a gal. :{

 

[ThrottleJockey]

BPine, THAT is awesome.....

 

[BPINE]

Very nice!





How do you make sure all of the moisture is out of the oil?

Well I am not exactly how to tell "all" the water is out but I think the best way is to get ahead of the curve and let it air dry as long as possible.

 

[BPINE]

Then you post this. I would absolutely LOVE more pictures and as much detailed info as possible. I just filled up a few minutes ago for $2. 29 a gal. :{

We pay 2. 60 a gallon here in Ca so it does get worse. I would be happy to send you some pictures and my # we could talk all about it. It might be a few days though I am busy making bio at the moment. LOL



If I had to do it over again I would make one with a cone bottom, much easier to get everything out in the right order.

 

[Allnew2Me]

Furniture-grade Biodiesel!

Hey Blair you did a great job with all the pumbing work, it looks nice. Cliffman, why didn't you go ahead and stain and laquer that stand for Blair, then he could keep it in his living room! :-laf

 

[RoryTek]

Hey Blair how come you didn't go the water heater route?
I have most all the parts to build my "Appleseed Reactor" just need the time to put it all together.
Whats your favorite type of waste oil?

 

[BPINE]

I wanted to see what was going on in the reactor so I used a drum and put a lid on it. So far my favorite oil is any oil I can get, mostly small family restaurants. I got the truck running on 70% bio and so far so good. I worked on the truck all day today testing turbo's again so I hope to drive it more tomorrow.