Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

[JB]

Considering making biodiesel.

I bought a DVD on eBay on how to produce biodiesel. Really sux; can't read the guy's charts and the audio is unintelligible.

There are soooo many sets of instructions and education out there and I don't want to waste another $20 on drivel.

Got any suggestions on where to find clear, professionally produced information on using veggie oil, producing biodiesel from veggie oil, etc.?

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

At our stores the oil was good to make into bio until the introduction of transfat free oil. The new stuff is gooey and stickey, not like the old stuff. Its viscosity gets thick at a higher temp than the old good tasting stuff.

I watched an episode on one of the Discovery channels where a guy had a set up. I searched awhile back and found different manufactures that make all the equipment that you need. It doesn't look that hard to do. You just got to know a bit about measurements and ratios. I'll try to dig up some of the info for you JB, or you can google biodiesel kits.

I don't know about the other fast food places, but with the change over to the not so fatting oil at McD's it may make for a problem converting to bio.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

JB, FYI....here are links to the 2 videos from Dirty jobs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcKpIB1HYKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaaFsWNqLPI&feature=related

 

[JB]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

Thanks, X. I had seen those before but it was good to see them again.

Nice demo, but falls short of instructions.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

Here's what you want ....you have to weed down a bit to get to measurements and the recipe
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html

 

[gss036]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

There is a story in our local paper today about a small local company making and selling a small unit for the home owner/individual to make biodiesel. Not real cheap but it is a tested and proven unit. Says he ships all over the country.

 

[JB]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

That looks like what I am seeking, dolluper. I read about half a page and saved it to my faves list.

Thanks.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

Nice site, saved it too, thanks Dolluper

Now I'm glad I paid attention in Chem class!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

When I worked for a motorcycle dealer we made biodiesel every week by the formula/methods listed on that web site.

We were using McD's waste oil (the man who owned the dealership owned 17 McD's) and it tended to be "burnt" which lengthened the process.

The set up was fairly simple and built by a mechanic there..... he had drum heaters and he used water heaters too to get things up to temp.

JB if you would like the mechanics name and number PM me and I will send them to you. They still make it weekly and McD's uses it in their trucks too.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

http://biofuels.coop/

My neighbor uses these guys, they are a coop so they want to teach others as well.

there are 2 schools of thought

1 - you use straight filtered oil - but you do not start or stop the car with it in the fuel line, You start the diesel, warm it up then swap over, then before reaching your destination swap back to regular diesel. bio is thicker and in cold climates will not pump.

2 - you get the bio diesel that can be pumped directly into the tank. but basically they have added addittives to make the bio more like regular diesel.

From what i understand it is not an easy process to make your own biodiesel.

tomatolord

 

[v1_0]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

Where would you get your "raw" oil from, and how much would it cost you?

-V

 

[JB]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

I haven't done that part yet, v 1.0.

I will survey local restaurants and fast food joints to see what oil they use and what they do with it when they are done.

Most of the people who publish on veggie or biodiesel get their oil from restaurants, free. There is a factory in FW that makes chips. They must have a LOT of used oil to get rid of.

It may be that all of these sources are spoken for by commercial biodiesel producers or even other private users. Gotta go and ask.

 

[oops!]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

jb....robj just did a study on bio diesel...wrote a paper on it...it was a big one with good results for the forrestry industry.

he can prob answer some tech questions for you.

there was also an episode on "trucks" about a cooker you could buy and all the gear and instrictions. they tested the stuff with little or no major drop in power or longeviety of life to the motor.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

I'm curious how "biodiesel" and other home brewed alternative fuel is viewed if your tanks are tapped by the Dept. of Transportation? It's my understanding the fines are very severe for using off road fuel for vehichles used on highways since it is evident folks are avoiding to pay state and federal "highway tax". Last year our family was on a trip and saw a roadside digital sign flashing "All diesel vehicles must enter weigh station" and presumed they were tapping tanks.

 

[i386]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

If JB could only build a hybrid engine powered by mesquite and armadillo.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

I'm curious how "biodiesel" and other home brewed alternative fuel is viewed if your tanks are tapped by the Dept. of Transportation? It's my understanding the fines are very severe for using off road fuel for vehichles used on highways since it is evident folks are avoiding to pay state and federal "highway tax". Last year our family was on a trip and saw a roadside digital sign flashing "All diesel vehicles must enter weigh station" and presumed they were tapping tanks.

Wait a minute! so you're saying that if I produce my own diesel and use it in my truck, I get fine for not paying tax.??????? I am very interested in making this stuff and have been reading up on it all afternoon.

 

[KM2]

Re: Who is using veggie oil or biodiesel?

I saw a neat DIY kit on the show TruckU for making Biodiesel. Tanks, pumps plus the stuff to test the fuel and determine the correct amount of methanol and lye to add. Can't rememeber the name of the company, sorry.


I don't think they are looking for biodiesel just dyed off road diesel, so you should be fine if they ever checked you.