Do-it-yourself biodiesel

[nosmokes]

original

Do-it-yourself biodiesel

By TRACY SAWYER
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC



It's as easy as operating a washing machine, but instead of clean clothes you finish with 40 gallons of biodiesel at the end of the spin-cycle.
Two brothers — Glen and Kent Blomgren — are distributing a personal biodiesel processor called FuelMeister out of a Union Gap garage.

The entire setup costs $3,000 and consists of some tubes, valves, plastic containers and steel drums that easily fit in a household garage.

Add the right mix of lye — available through local home-improvement stores — and methanol to used cooking oil, and within an hour the closed system mixes and forms into biodiesel.

No muss or fuss. That simple — and safe. The ingredients for biodiesel have a low flashpoint, and regular gasoline is more explosive.

"This is for Mr. and Mrs. Suburbia," Glen Blomgren says. "People just don't know how safe and easy it is to make and use biodiesel."

Or, adds his brother, Kent, how cheap.

The converted fuel can be used in anything that operates on No. 2 diesel and costs just 70 cents per gallon to make, the Blomgrens say. An additive called Amsoil makes the fuel usable in all weather conditions.
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complete articlehere

[MostlyLurks]

1. Well, this pretty much guarantees the ascendancy of H fuel cells.

Hmmm, let me see. How can we tell whether biodiesel

System in which anybody with a reasonably low cost installation can make their own renewable energy source that can be used in existing vehicles. Use of such system allows consumers to bypass large capital actors and directly engage in trade with local producers i.e. farmers.
OR
System in which a highly volatile fuel has to be produced using specialized, industrial equipment and that ensures the entire market will need to buy specially equipped and outfitted vehicles. Use of such system ensures hegemony by large conglomerates who will control means of production and distribution.

As has become the saying here on DU, Glen and Kent Blomgren better not get on any airplanes in the future. And Willie Nelson better personally check his tour bus' brakes every day.

Mostly

[heidler1]

4. Has there been any feed back from the car & truck manufactures?

I hope it works, but if it causes some problem they will nullify the warranty on the parts effected.

[bullwinkle428]

5. I was looking at some info on new VW diesels recently,

and with the current-generation engine used in their TDI (diesel) cars, they recommend no more than a 5% bio blend, although the same engines may use a 20% blend in Europe. The claim is that the bio is better-regulated in Europe. There are many examples, however, of older TDIs running on 100% bio and doing beautifully, so it might just be a little bit of collusion on the part of the oil companies working with the auto manufacturers...:tinfoilhat: The only concern with bio is the gelling problem that occurs in cold temperatures, so a blend along with anti-gel agents is recommended.

[Chemical Bill]

9. If you use biodiesel and the fuel pump fails...

VW will give you crap. Most VW TDI users avoid VW service like the plague. Check out:
http://www.tdiclub.com
It's a great resource for any VW diesel owner.

Bill

[tammywammy]

13. If the fuel pump fails due to bad fuel

VW will not cover the damage under warranty, regardless if you use Bio, Dino-diesel or if it's a regular gasser.

It's a standard warranty, bad fuel voids the warranty of those parts in any car by any manufacturer.

If you're using a good quality bio, there should be no problems.

Just some clarification. :)

[FloridaPat]

2. That would include people using fuel oil to heat their homes.

Thanks for this. Interesting!

[lildreamer316]

6. WHOA. Please tell me more.

I could really really use this.

[sui generis]

3. not "true" biodiesel though

plus gotta go get (and store) all that used cooking oil. How many gallons of cooking oil does a typical fast food restaurant produce? What is the mean restaurant cooking oil output of a city in per capita units?

It can never really be more than an eccentric solution that only benefits a very few people.

Turning chicken and beef and turkey guts into biodiesel - now that's something to think about!

Unfortunately the cosmetics, adhesives, dog food and hot dog industry would take a big hit.

[Curtis]

7. There is an easier solution

You can use straight veggie oil in a diesel when the weather is warm. However, you have to mix it about 60 percent veg oil to 40 percent gasoline (not diesel) when the weather turns cold (below 70). I've been doing this for about 1 1/2 years with my 87 Chevy Suburban without ANY problems to date except a clogged fuel filter when the weather turned cool on me really quickly.

All I do is get some used veggie oil from some local restaurants and filter it down to 2 microns. In the summer, it's warm enough to just do it straight, but this time of year I mix in about 40 percent gasoline to thin it down and keep the viscosity correct for the system. It's REALLY easy.

Oh, you CAN use diesel to thin out the veg oil but gasoline works fine because you still get the lubrication from the veg oil. So, the reason I use gas is because it is about $0.30 cheaper than diesel.

Anyway, I figure with the mix I am paying about $1/gallon for fuel in winter but pay a whopping $0 in summer.

[Chemical Bill]

10. I hear the old Mercedes are able to do this too...

but I wouldn't do it in a new car or truck. The fuel injection is high pressure now. Good luck with yours.

Bill

[lildreamer316]

11. How can you tell

if your car could handle this? I have a 95 Honda Del Sol I would like to try this on...and an 88 firebird too.

[Chemical Bill]

12. Sorry, you need a diesel engine...

but you can use ethanol in a gasoline engine. I used to run 20% ethanol, called gasahol, that was available many places when Jimmy Carter was President. Oddly enough, it was gone when Reagan got in.

Bill

[Chemical Bill]

8. There's a better system available.

check out:
http://www.localb100.com
Buy the book, you can make a system out of an electric water heater, a pump, and pipe for less than a third of the cost of the fuelmeister.

Also, there is a user forum:
http://www.biodieselnow.com

Bill

[tammywammy]

14. Just a nod to both of your links here

I'm a TDI owner, and those are good links to get info.

I wish I had a garage, instead of a 3rd floor apartment, so that I could make my own bio.