Bio-Diesel Fuel ?

[John L]

Hi All- I just setup my new account with TDR and found this article to try and submit.
I don't think I would put this in my tank but maybe somebody would. .

By KPIX - Ken Misener
It won't stop the rising gas prices, but there is a new environmentally friendly alternative at the pump. The cooking oil that once fried your onion rings, may now end up in trucks' fuel tanks.

Starting today, a Bay Area business will offer bio-diesel, touted as a cleaner-burning vegetable-based alternative to traditional diesel fuel. It's a mixture, with about four parts diesel to one part recycled soybean oil.

Even company officials concede it isn't likely to have widespread appeal. It's just an alternative for those who want a more environmentally friendly choice. "If the individual has a real commitment to the environment, they will make those choices. But for the most part, because of the cost, the individuals just aren't going to do it," explains Rusty Firenze of Olympian Commercial Fueling.

For now at least, the bio-diesel is more expensive. The Olympian fueling station is at 3rd Street and 23rd Street in San Francisco

 

[americana]

i was trying to stay awake for that report , but dozed off. that's in india basin near army, right? i'll have to go check it out. how much are they charging? i'm fueling at the olympia near serramonte shopping center for $1. 79.

i've also heard of people mixing their own. has anyone on this list done that?

 

[Archive]

Bio-diesel has actually been around for quite awhile. I have read tons of material regarding its wide spread use in countries like Germany. The problem seems to lie in the cost of "refinement", and the costs of distribution. Nobody can do it cheaper than the big oil companies... yet. One of the companies I work for also covered the story at the CFN on 3rd and 23rd. I guess they had been giving the new fuel away in the morning and I just missed the deadline. The only side effect is that your truck doesn't smell like its burning diesel anymore. The odor isn't quite french fries, but it's definately not diesel.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Hey My Ol' Man Just made His Third Successful Batch! His New Holland , Cat dozer, And PSD All run on it and No problems Yet!! If You are in the Vermont Area Click~off An E-Mail to me and trust me You will be Facinated... . I sure Was First when He used it (Different batch&Different Producer)What something like years ago.

 

[Wheaties]

I think I read on this NG, check the archives, both a recipe to make it and information to the effect that biodiesel was considerably more corrosive. I'd definitely check with DC on this before trying. Someone far more knowlegeable than I said that you may have to go to stainless steel fuel lines.

------------------
Matthew Wheaton
Danbury, CT

'01 2500 Black Quad Cab SLT LB ETH DEE 4x4 3. 54LSD, Tow, Camper, & Snow Plow Packages
--not even a pine scented deodorizer hanging from the mirror

 

[ARARAR]

There is a good thread one or two issues ago in TDR. It' not new and has been used in Europe for quite a while. It' supposed to be good on the injector pump because of it's lube quality. Suppose to smell something like popcorn comming from the exhaust.

 

[WOT]

I looked into Biodiesel about 1 1/2 years ago. P&G wanted something like $2. 50 a gallon (in bulk). About 6 months ago I found a place in KY that sold it in 55 GAL drums for $1. 90/gal. If prices get about that then I might have to pick some up. I have read it has superior lubration properties compared to todays low sulfur diesel. It seems that mixing it 80% diesel - 20% Bio reduces emmissions 60% (not that that makes too much difference to me, but it also says it smells much better to burn - might be good for a generator!)

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Before you try any NEW alternative fuels, i stongly suggest checking with the DC or a Cummins dealer and ask them to give you WRITTEN or printed proof that if you use it in your ISB, they wont void your warrantie if your injector pump goes. I could see those As*holes saying "it does not mention it in your operators manual so you cant use it". I seriously doubt it would hurt anything, but that is a $4,000 engine, and if those jerks are going to try and void my warrantie over it, i want to have paperwork telling them they cant.

 

[pres10]

Bio-diesel may be an alternative that we will all be forced to use in the future. But what I would really like to see are some dyno numbers ... what kind of a power decrease, if any will this bring ? I don't know for sure but I would bet that the BTU numbers are lower. Just my 2 cents worth.

John

 

[DieselDoghouse]

I seem to remember an article in the TDR Mag several issues ago ion this. Mebbe mistaken but I though Navistar, Cummins, Cat had all publicly declared THIS ratio (80-20) to be 'fully compatible' meaning power output undiminished, serviceability unaffected, and maintenance intervals maintained as previously. I've been told though that you'll smell like french fries or popcorn goin'down the road!