easiest cheapest way to make bio?

[DMcPherson]

I only need to make small batches for myself, and i really dont want to spend much to make bio. I found some neat information on making liters at a time. I would like to make maybe 5-10 gallons at a clip. any ideas would be appreciated, i thought of doing the same thing as this http://www.kitchen-biodiesel.com/ just in 5-gallon barrels or something.

TIA. Dan

 

[zstroken]

Friend of mine is making it out of a certain type of vegtable oil. Strains the oil, runs it through some particualte filters, then adds this companies additive, then 5% kerosene, and 5% gasoline. Says he has about $0. 70/gallon in it.

 

[DMcPherson]

I have heard of doing that. what is he using it in, Id like to know how it likes the vp.

 

[zstroken]

He just put a new VP on it. I am wondering about it too. I would think the gasoline would be a no no. On the VP he lost what they called the starting circuit. He would ether it to get it started, then the truck would run. Time will tell about the VP.

 

[DMcPherson]

I was just thinking also, that with that method I dont think it seporates any of the "unwanted" parts of the oil.

I wonder what happens to the glycerin water and other by products

 

[bighornram]

You can build an appleseed processor with all new parts for $500. That is only 5 tankfulls of fuel.

 

[zstroken]

Well he runs a certain type of oil he said, some restaurants use it. I guess it doesn't have the glycerin in it or something??

 

[DMcPherson]

hmmm not sure.

any more info on the appleseed processor?

 

[Rebel Ram]

Glycerine is no more "in" the oil as cookies are in a bag of flour. It is made as a by product of making Bio Diesel.

 

[DMcPherson]

right, the methanol replaces the glycerin in the reaction process. I beleive that is a big part of how it gets thinned out. I think that getting rid of it is part of acheiving the proper viscosity, now I dont know this is my assumption.

I also beleive the methanol is what raises the combustibility, which is the issue I havehad with mixing wvo and diesel, my power is terrible. not sure what kind of oil I have either. so i am thinking this will help.

anyone feel free to jump in here and correct me by all means. Im learning.

 

[bighornram]

hmmm not sure.

any more info on the appleseed processor?

There is a sticky post at NMtdr.com with many sources of great information about biodiesel and building equipment to make it.



http://www.nmtdr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46

 

[Msilbernagel]

Dan,



In all seriousness, consider buying it from a commercial site or from a local bioD Co-op.



Perhaps the most expensive solution is to do it quickly and/or cheaply (not invest in learning sufficiently or proper equipment, etc. ) and cause an engine failure. Figure the $-per-gallon including the IP repacement costs (or worse)?



This forum is ok, but rather quiet when it comes to sharing the finer points of making biodiesel. There are some very good and quite active forums for biodiesel makers - immerse yourself and have fun if you really want to go for it.



Good luck,



Mark

-

I only need to make small batches for myself, and i really dont want to spend much to make bio. I found some neat information on making liters at a time. I would like to make maybe 5-10 gallons at a clip. any ideas would be appreciated, i thought of doing the same thing as this http://www.kitchen-biodiesel.com/ just in 5-gallon barrels or something.

TIA. Dan

 

[roverhybrids]

Friend of mine is making it out of a certain type of vegtable oil. Strains the oil, runs it through some particualte filters, then adds this companies additive, then 5% kerosene, and 5% gasoline. Says he has about $0. 70/gallon in it.

this is NOT biodiesel.



It is just blended fuel.

 

[WAnderstrom]

I have been making biodiesel since May this year with an appleseed processor and have had great success. The process is tedious but not difficult and I would recommend it to anybody as a hobby. I just came back from a 760 mile hunting trip by myself that I could not have afforded at $3. 05/gal but, at less than a $1. 00/gal I was able to go. I too notice about a 1. 5mpg decrease on B100. I am very happy to not be supporting Big oil right now when they are bullying the Alaska legislature around right now. If you want more info on Biodiesel and don't mind searching through a forum as big as TDR, check out biodieselinfopop.com I have found them extremely helpful. I have to give B100 two thumbs up for sure.

 

[BigPapa]

W,



Since you're in the Great White North, how's the bio holding out in the cold? I've heard it doesn't fair well below 50*. That's my only reservation.



Scott

 

[Moose Truck]

Some one @ Coffee Night has the book.

hmmm not sure.

any more info on the appleseed processor?

Dan, Someone in Derby has my book on the Appleseed Biodiesel cook book. It's basically a modified hot water heater, a pump and a plumbing valving setup.



Basically you put in filtered WVO, Lye or Potassium Hydroxide, and Alcohol, either ethanol, or methanol. Next the pump is set to recirculate the WVO / Methanol hydroxide mixture with the heater for a set time. then the mixture is allowed to settle out. then the Glycerine mixture is drained out the bottom of the water heater. The left over Biodiesel is then washed, settled and pumped in to the truck.



The big issue I have is what to do with that Glycerine? It's Vegi fats spiked with alcohols, and caustic chemicals



Another method to burn WVO is to blend it with diesel in the warm weather or "Hot tank" system. I was building a hot tank, till I ran out out cash, and hit a few obstacles, I seem to have thought them thru.



I think that the Walbro pump will pump the hot oil, I just need to get hold of the cash to buy the pump and relief valve. The real big issue is that darn VP44. Can it take the heat (160 to 180F) of hot WVO? Moose

 

[DMcPherson]

aaah ok. I saw some of those. Im not to worried about the glycerine. I just need to make something that works for now.

 

[WAnderstrom]

Big Papa

If you use clear soy or canola(rapeseed) it doesn't gell until about 5-15F. The hard part is finding a place that uses clear, everyone uses hydrogenated or creamy, both raise the gel point to above 40F.

 

[daveshoe]

Not a bio person as of yet,but there is a guy in farm show magazine who bought sunflower seed,crushed it ,and made his own. He did NOT process the oil in to bio,but put additives in the raw oil. He claims that the glycerine actually gives him better mileage in his 12 valve Dodge. All this stuff is easy to tell about when I am not a user putting his own truck at risk

Also,his cattle love the seedcake left over from the process. 100 acres of sunflowers make 11000 gallons of fuel.

 

[lumberjack98]

appleseed processor? never heard of it.