Bio-Pass GX6 System

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Anyone heard of the Bio-Pass GX6 system from Thermodyne Systems? It looks interesting in that it uses salt as the primary "catalyst" in transforming glycerines and removing water to make usable clean veggie oil fuel. And if the descriptions and details are accurate it should be pretty easy and fool-proof. Supposedly the final product can be burned as-is mixed with a little diesel, or processed into bio-diesel using far less titration than normally required.



The "system" doesn't look like much, and it's backordered now, but if you scroll down I think you can order what you need to make your own setup (primarily consists of the wicking filter setup).



The biggest "gotchya" I see with this system (seems like there's always one of those) is the filter cartridges may not last that long, and they're a hefty $39. 95 to replace. [edit: I see it says filters should last for 5000-8000 gallons of averagely-clean WVO, so guess it all depends on how accurate this claim is].



Vaughn



ps if you click on "add to cart" notice the price is $44,669. 95

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

My this is a tumbleweed thread I really though this would generate quite a bit of discussion. It looks like a great answer to some of the difficulties in creating good fuel from WVO, especially if you don't want to fuss with making biodiesel.



This looks like a great system and a piece of cake to use, despite the $400 or so investment. You guys see any drawbacks to it?

 

[Msilbernagel]

Vaughn,



I'll play...



Guess you'd have all the usual issues relative to using WVO - primarily the thickness of the oil at the ratios they suggest. Their attitude is "adjust it until it works" (runs well), in the context of ratio between green oil (treated WVO) and #2 (dilutant).



Problem might be that the stuff is thick enough that even though it runs it is not spraying (pattern) well from the injectors and therefore causing some build-up/gummy deposits and ultimately scoring on the rings. This has happened with other WVO adventurers, particulary with direct-injection engines like ours.



In this "Alternative Fuels" forum, cj has been documenting his use of DSE - which includes blending with #1 (lighter than #2) about 10%, unleaded gas (5%), some cetane booster / anti-gel (Power Service), xylene (wax dissolver, water control) and naptha products (last two are DSE). Seems to get things thin enough you can burn it in the Cummins, and in a state that will work reasonably well in the winter (resists gelling to a degree).



Also related to the Biopass system - I've seen mentioned elsewhere the use of salt as a pre-filterer/dewaterer. They appear to have a decent filter, and the beads look to finish the job of capturing water and some contaminants. So, just for that part it seems 'ok' as a filtering system for WVO, if not a little better?



On the same page of the Bio-pass website they also list something I've not seen before - a rather exotic catalyst to convert glycerin to propyl alcohol... nice touch. The active phrase seems to be: "The O2 will bubble away as a simple gas while the NaCl drops to the bottom of tank as simple salt water. ".



Warning flags include: "GCC is only slightly flammable BUT once ignited cannot be put out by any type of fire extinguisher! Store in cool place away from light and at least 100 feet away from all dwelling structures and adjacent buildings!GCC is a highly reactive substance, best stored in a concrete bunker or other fire proof storage building. Keep away from children! "



Wow!! Nasty stuff to place in a garage! :--)



Then, there is this: "New conversion catalyst turns Glycerin (C3H8O3)

directly into Propyl Alcohol (C3H8O) which burns great in Diesel engines when in diluted quantities. "



One wonders what diluted means, or what the consequences of 'less' diluted might be? Alcohols may be problematic for the high-pressure fuel pump... I suppose. We assume, but can't be sure from the page, that their recommended levels of use (8oz per 100 gallons - about $0. 10/gallon) keep this level appropriately 'dilute'?



I'd like to chat with them regarding the percentage of conversion from Glycerin to Propyl Alcohol their recommendation is likely to yield at 8oz/100gal. That's a significant fact, but if the conversion rate was high you are making a lot of headway towards a biodiesel like product for 10-cents a gallon.



I don't know enough to say it is promising, but I am curious on the catylist.



Always, in the back and often front of my mind when considering this kind of thing, is the cost of replacing a very spendy bit of Cummins technology if we screw up!!! :{ :-laf



My thoughts,



Mark

 

[Msilbernagel]

As a follow up, I wrote Bob Green (the inventor/chemist behind the catalyst) and here is his reply:



The reaction is complete with one dose! Now if you have 30 % glycerin

about 2/3 will turn to PA and the rest will drop out to the bottom of the

drum as a Glycerin soap by product. Bottom line -- Not Glycerin in the

fuel.



We have tested for 4 years now and have seen only positive effects. Some

times you get a proof of black some on acceleration but that about all I

can say since PA does burn slightly sooty at low RPM but at least it burns

and lubricates. This product is recommended more for the SUPER high

compression engines in earth moving equipment rather than cars. In earth

moving equipment it makes little soot. The EPA is killing the Diesel with

its LOW compression laws. Get an old engine (Pre 2001) while you can!



Bob



============================



Mark Silbernagel wrote:



> > Hello,

> >

> > I was reading your website

> > (http://www.hydrogenappliances.com/bioD.html), and specifically about

> > the GCC - Glycerin Conversion Catalyst.

> >

> > At the recommended ratio of 8oz per 100 gallons, what percentage of the

> > glycerin is converted? (or, how much remains!)

> >

> > At that recommended ratio, is the level of Propyl alcohol something

> > potentially damaging to a high-pressure fuel pump in a diesel engine?

> > How dilute must it be for safe operation? Is it an oz-to-oz kind of

> > conversion?

> >

> > Any undesirable byproducts after the reaction, beyond O2 and NaCl?

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Mark Silbernagel

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Mark, thanks for your input and information. I think I'll stay away from the GCC stuff! I hadn't read thru the site carefully so I hadn't caught that.



I suppose I should read up on CJ's posts. My intention with running WVO is to use a lot of it in the summer, and very little (if any) in the winter.



Vaughn

 

[Msilbernagel]

Vaughn,



To follow up... I purchased a bottle of the GCC and tried it on straight (unconverted) waste vegetable oil (WVO). I used a blender to mix according to instructions... no effect that I could see.



Apparently, when they say 'glycerine groups' they mean just that. You'd probably have to convert the oil to biodiesel using methanol/lye, and then use GCC to convert the glycerine byproduct to propyl alcohol.



FYI - Mark