WVO or Biodiesel?

[GPappy]

I ran across a pretty good deal on a Biodiesel processor and 300 gals of WVO. I have been investigating alternative fuels and was wondering if there are advantages to making the WVO into Biodiesel or if I would just be better off with a centrifuge and running filtered WVO or WMO mixed with diesel?

I would be running the fuel in my Deuce and a couple of farm tractors I have.

 

[cranetruck]

Not much advantage to processing the WVO, just mix it with diesel. Either way, temps much below 40°F may create problems.

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

I agree with Bjorn. It all depends on the vehicle that you have and since you have a Deuce A2 with a multifuel and some farm tractors I would just filter the WVO and mix with regular diesel. This way you will save some money by not having to purchase the biodiesel processing equipment. You'll save money by not having to purchase methanol and lye to make the biodiesel.

 

[GPappy]

Thanks for the insight. Hard to believe people are spending so much on Biodiesel processors if it doesn't work any better than just burning the WVO. The deuce I understand being that it is multifuel but I didn't know that other diesel engines ran as well on WVO as biodiesel.

 

[Jimma]

I filter WVO here at my house. I would not invest in the biodiesel stuff. Too much up front cost and chemicals. I just dont use much of my WVO in the winter when its cold. Real slow starts. I use filtered WMO instead but at a lower ratio than in the summer. Things just burn good when its hot outside.

 

[area52]

If you do some more research on biodiesel, I believe one of the advantages over WVO is a lower temperature in which you can use it without gelling up like WVO. don't quote me on it since its been awhile since I have looked over the info. By removing the "fats" in WVO when you change it to biodiesel, the gel point is lower.

 

[Jimma]

That may be right. I was just looking at the overall upfront investment. A filter setup can be reasonable whereas a biodiesel setup can cost a small fortune or atleast more than the cost of a deuce.

 

[MiSasquatch]

I've found that with the WVO you have little waste, the filters, and such. With Bio there's much more liquid left overs. I've heard a lot of it is likened to soap. If you got use for lots of soap it may be the way to go...or not. My 2 cents worth.

 

[area52]

if you look for the "appleseed" reactor for biodiesel, its not real expensive - old hot water heater, pump, pipe fittings, methanol and lye.

 

[wreckerman893]

I run 50/50 in my Ford Ranger diesel in the summer.......in the deuce I mix it with gas and UMO.

It will thicken up in cold weather...especially if chicken or food with fat was cooked in it.

 

[flyBURopTIK]

Roughly speaking, the more older/lower-tech of an engine you have, the less there is a necessity to go to something as elaborate as Biodiesel. With that being said, if youve got an old multifuel engine -I have little doubt that youll have any issues burning what ever you want out of it. If youve got a newer cat/cummins/detroit, its new-fangled-ness will have more of a requiem to be running on oily fuel with alot more purity.

As far as the CapEX vs. OpEX $$$ in question here, sure the first results you get when google'ing biodiesel reactor are the kits that are 300'ish gallons that are $12-16k, but if you put in a lil research & source the parts yourself, the same kit could be made for less than $3k. If youre making a smaller reactor, this obviously impacts price... Ive seen the self contained elec waterheater kits for fairly cheap... I think theyll do 40-80gal batch's?

 

[GPappy]

The one I was looking at was a complete purchased 40 gal unit including dry wash, 200-300 gals of WVO, and was advertised at $1000. There is another one closer that is 80 gals without the dry wash but it is $1200. Both sell online for over $4000. One lost interest and the other sold his diesel truck. Talk about taking a loss!

 

[area52]

here is a link for the appleseed reactor for bio:

The Appleseed Biodiesel Processor | The Appleseed Biodiesel Processor

they say it costs $400 - $800 for parts depending on where you get them.

 

[flyBURopTIK]

GP,

If thats including the waterheater, heating element, and 300gal of feedstock -Thats not too terribly bad... in my neck of the woods, the locals are wanting $510 (including shipping) for plumbing (miscelaneous fittings, some ball valves, a 10ft stick of what looks to be 3/4" iron pipe, and a pump) that connects to a waterheater of yours & documentation on how to make it work.

 

[GPappy]

GP,

If thats including the waterheater, heating element, and 300gal of feedstock -Thats not too terribly bad... in my neck of the woods, the locals are wanting $510 (including shipping) for plumbing (miscelaneous fittings, some ball valves, a 10ft stick of what looks to be 3/4" iron pipe, and a pump) that connects to a waterheater of yours & documentation on how to make it work.

The one I was most interested in was a Freedom Fueler with heater and drywash which retails for almost $4500. The guy was taking a big loss but from what I am seeing here it is still not worth messing with. I will stick with Plan A which is to build a centrifuge set up and just run the oil.

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

That's all I do, filter and blend. I run it in an XM818, M109, 2004 dodge 2500, a air cooled pump, and a portable welder. Never had an issue, up to 75 WVO and 25 diesel. Winter I run 30 WVO to 70 diesel.