Biodiesel

[brackie]

The vast majority of the problems caused by bd use are because people use (usually free) waste oil. This contains all sorts of nasties that must not enter your fuel system. The worst of them is good old water. If you're going to use waste oil then it has to be thoroughly cleaned before esterisation and washed afterward. When time permits and I get down to manufacturing my own it'll be made from virgin oil. I can get poppy seed oil, centrifuged and filtered, for 70c/L and canola for 80c/L. All up cost per litre shouldn't be more than 90c/L.
Also, don't forget that bd will scour out any dirt, bacterial matter and perished rubber in your fuel system. Excellent filtration is essential.

[smithy010]

Very True, all that brackie says.

I think that you should probably add about 25c/l onto the cost of the oil for methanol cost. (That's at current methanol prices).

There are ways and means of purifying the used oil before esterification. 25c/l fuel has got to be better than 90c/l. This taken into account, i will have to be very careful with using used oil, and only use good quality used oil (if there is such a thing).
The main worry is water. Other muck simply drops out in the glycerine layer. If the biodiesel is carefully washed and dried before use, there should be no problems.

I don't intend to use virgin oil at all- partly because there is little gain in reducing fuel costs by 60c/l, when you add your (precious) time, electricity, and fuss, not to mention the risk involved.

[GoLfMan]

i find the process of making bio diesel facinating, i would like to try it one day... Smithy can you please post a photo diary of the process of making bio diesel please?
cheers

[smithy010]

When i get it moving, i'll definitely do that.

[smithy010]

Ok, a tiny bit of progress, but in real terms it's a big step.

I got my first 30l haul of used fish and chip oil the other day. The bloke was more than happy to give it to me, and the bonus is that it came straight out of the fryer, so i can be pretty well sure that it is dry... well, kind of- i know there is still a chance of water in combination.

I thought liasing with the owners would be more difficult than it actually was.

[Golf Loon]

Good work, he should be happy to give it to you, they have to pay to get rid of it.

[gldgti]

well done smithy, your doing us proud.

i have to get myself a processor built.... maybe its time.

[smithy010]

Actually, at first thought i thought they would pay to get rid of it too, but it turns out only a very backward fish/chip store owner would pay for oil removal.

Firstly there are the people who run supply/remove businesses- they supply new oil and remove the old stuff, so some of the market is wrapped up with that.

Other people simply take it away for free. The advantage they have over me, is they take lots of oil. I simply don't have the room or need to store hundreds of litres of oil. 30l of oil a week will probably do me, so i figured it would be difficult.

Several shops said a flat no to my requests,and by then i was surprised to see this guy be so upfront and helpful.