Starting a Biodiesel Forum........

[Headshot zod]

Is there anyway we could start a Bio-Diesel/Alternative Fuel forum here?

 

[John - K5AWO]

I am interested Headshot.

 

[DBrickel]

I'm interested, although its not available in my area as far as I know. Also would have to be priced more competively for me to consider using it

 

[Headshot zod]

Well thats why I figure it should also be alternative fuel..... I think a separate forum dedicated to it would provide plenty of interesting reading if nothing else. There are plenty of tweakers here...



I think Cummins West has one that runs on natural gas.

 

[Bill Lins]

Some folks around here are trying to get a grant from the State of Texas to build a biodiesel plant near here. I believe they intend to use agricultural waste as the feedstock.

 

[Headshot zod]

When you press the oil out the "cakes" that are left over can be used for feedstock. Its a win-win in my book.

 

[David Wheeler]

I'm starting to study Biodiesel myself. Two stations locally, but not many using them yet. About $. 30 more per gallon (over #2) right now. I'm going to subscribe to this thread to keep an eye on it. I'll contribute if I have something constructive to add. Otherwise I'll learn as we go! Good stuff guys!

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I am interested as well. I'm voting in favor of such a fourm!

Shouldn't Biodiesel cost less than 100% imported oil????

 

[sbentz]

my 2 cents

As some have heard, we run 100% bio in the dragster. I run 20% in the tow rig, (B20) and it is great. Watch for the wackos that are making their own. Make sure you know where it comes from...



Best i have found is virgin Soy, Rapeseed or other commerial fuel crop source, not "McDiesel" old french fry oil filtered... .

 

[Doc Tinker]

What I would like to see in a BioDiesel Forum, is discussions on home-brews, not so much about where to get the factory stuff.



How about someone starting a business that provides a kit to make the stuff.



How about tips on finding and gathering waste vegetable oils, etc.



And BOMB parties where interested individuals can get together to experiment and develop fuel together. Maybe even pooling their resources to get a test vehicle.



I almost bought a first gen that was very ratted out, but had a good running Cummins, for $1k a few months ago. If I had thought about experimenting with biodiesel with it, I would have bought it.



Doc

 

[Headshot zod]

I'm looking at a first gen right now. If all goes well I'll be trekking down to Mo. to get a 100 or 140 gallon split secondary tank put in for it (if the price is right, if not it will be a pick-up and I'll install it at home. A "BIO-B. O. M. B. ing " party would be funny for biodiesel. We would be able to get deliveries of fresh oil if we had a 1000 gallon tank. I think that was what I had read somewhere. That of course will be harder for me here in NJ. Although there is a Nabisco factory a few miles away.....

 

[DBrickel]

Re: my 2 cents

Originally posted by sbentz

As some have heard, we run 100% bio in the dragster. I run 20% in the tow rig, (B20) and it is great. Watch for the wackos that are making their own. Make sure you know where it comes from...



Best i have found is virgin Soy, Rapeseed or other commerial fuel crop source, not "McDiesel" old french fry oil filtered... .

Is there any seperation factor when mixing it? Like cream in milk?



I found a site where a guy is selling a kit so you can make your own mix. I can just see it now, nieghborhood goes up in smoke.

:--)

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by Doc Tinker

How about someone starting a business that provides a kit to make the stuff.

Doc

www.hydrogenappliances.com is one source Doc. I purchased my starter plant there. I am still putting it together. My son and I are working together on this.



It will work equally well on petro oil or veggie oils. Chinese restaurants have the cleanest stuff. Stay away from places that cook hamburger. You don't want that kind of grease. If I can't see the bottom of the oil tank, I go elsewhere.



So far, I have not made any deals to pick oil up on a regular basis. Although I hope to in the future.



One source of petro oil I have is the crankcase oil from airplanes. That is an ashless dispersant so is a better grade than unknown oils. I would not touch anything from an autoparts store. You don't know what kind of junk is in it. glycol, acids, etc...

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Thus far there haven't been enough posts regarding Biodiesel to warrant a seperate forum. We only add additional forums when there is a significant amount of activity on a particular subject to warrant it. For now general diesel would be the place to post stuff regarding biodiesel. If we see a significant amount of ongoing activity on it we will look at adding a seperate forum at that time.



-Steve St. Laurent

Lead Moderator

 

[John - K5AWO]

Well guys, we will just have to keep finding good info to post here. I have read a lot of 'snake oil' browsing the web.



I am not into wanting to mess with caustic acids, so that limits my direction somewhat. I am on a city lot with some snoopy neighbors who just don't know when to keep their noses to themselves.

 

[David Wheeler]

That sounds fair enough, Steve. Until then, we'll just use the forums as suggested. I believe this topic will gain steam and turn into a discussion to rival LP discussions!



Here are a couple of links I have run up on so far:



http://www.upressplay.com/login/index.php?page=umedia_showsub&uSubmit_id=191&mode=2&show_media=mov



And a kit to make your own...



http://www.biodieselsolutions.com/



Education never ends

 

[DF5152]

ok i know i have read alot of article on bio-diesel and the use of vegtable oil but someone refresh my memory why do you have to process it before you use it. I have a friend that runs filtered veggie in his 5 cylinder merc. without any problems



Dan

 

[Cooker]

There are a ton of Biodiesel and alternative fuel (waste vegetable oil) forums alrady out there.



Although I think one that talked solely about the Cummins and Biodiesel would be interesting, I'm with Doc, I rather not keep reading about BXX bought at the pump.

 

[Headshot zod]

I posted a bunch of links here in this forum the other day... ...



TDR Forum

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by DF5152

... why do you have to process veggie before you use it. I have a friend that runs filtered veggie in his 5 cylinder merc. without any problems



Dan

The cooking process add moisture, so for one you need to remove the water droplets.



The flour used to add crunch to the food adds a lot of little things the LP and VP44 won't be happy with.



If you buy new veggie oil, you can dump it in the tank straight from the bottle (mixed with a little diesel to keep it thin). Greasel says we want to have the veggie at temps close to 160* to make it efficient. I haven't done that yet, but then, in the summer here the pavement is 157* and OAT can reach 127 on super bad days. It was 108 here today already and predicted for 111* tomorrow.



My processor (mentioned above) filters it down to 2 microns. That will keep the pumps and injectors happy.



Good thing on the veggie: it adds a lot of power and lubricity.



On the 5 cyl Mercedes... I would guess it has a mechanical injection pump and operates at lower injector pressures than the ISD motors. CTDs made before 98. 5 will be easier to run veggie in.



I have no idea how the Gen-3 trucks are going to take to veggie.