From: MV (MV@dc9.tzo.com)
Date: Wed May 03 2006 - 05:24:02 PDT
If you haven't seen Bjorns articles in MV mag, you should find a copy.
They are very good - pictures of his conversion and everything.
I believe that he did his conversion about a year ago. He also wrote an
article or two on making your own biodiesel, also excellent work.
Dave
Lee Houde wrote:
> OK, I've done a little homework here, and I would like to clear up a
> confusing point. BioDiesel is NOT the same thing as WVO/VVO (Waste
> Vegetable Oil/Virgin Vegetable Oil) fuel conversions.
>
> WVO/VVO conversions use the UNALTERED WVO/VVO as a prime fuel source,
> requiring only filtering of the WVO to remove solid contaminants.
> WVO/VVO converted vehicles usually require a second fuel tank for the
> WVO/VVO, with a heater in the fuel tank, heated fuel lines, and a heated
> fuel filter in order to reduce the viscosity of the WVO/VVO to something
> approaching the viscosity of Petro Diesel (the heat is usually provided
> by the vehicle's coolant system). WVO/VVO converted vehicles (sometimes
> known as "greasecars") usually must be started on Petro Diesel, switched
> to the WVO/VVO when the engine and WVO/VVO have warmed up enough for the
> fuel to be used, and then the fuel injection system must be purged with
> Petro Diesel BEFORE shutting down, as the cold WVO/VVO is too viscous
> (too thick) to properly pump and atomize in the engine on a cold start.
>
> BioDiesel is WVO/VVO which has been chemically altered (a process called
> "transesterification") using sodium or potassium methoxide (a mixture of
> either sodium hydroxide, AKA lye, or potassium hydroxide, and methanol).
> The methoxide acts as a catalyst to break down the large WVO/VVO
> molecules into smaller molecules, resulting in a fuel with a viscosity
> approaching, but not still as thin as, Petrol Diesel. Depending on the
> ambient temperature the BioDiesel vehicle will be operating in,
> BioDiesel can be mixed with Petro Diesel to further reduce the viscosity
> (up to 100% BioDiesel in hot weather, down to a 50/50 mix of
> BioDiesel/Petro Diesel in cold weather).
>
> ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES:
> Greasecars require about $1000-$1500 for the necessary conversion (2nd
> fuel tank, heaters & filters, extra fuel lines and fuel line switches).
> However, assuming the WVO can be obtained for free, there is no cost for
> the fuel and filtering the WVO the only additional labor required. It
> does require additional attention by the operator in switching fuels
> during operation, and especially in remembering to thoroughly the purge
> the fuel injection of WVO/VVO before engine shutdown. I'm not convinced
> that the WVO/VVO fuel will be usable in very cold weather unless a LOT
> of heat is available to the WVO/VVO system to keep the fuel properly
> thinned out.
>
> BioDiesel is not free. According to published articles, the chemicals
> required to process the WVO/VVO into true BioDiesel costs about 40-60
> cents per gallon of finished product. The equipment to convert WVO/VVO
> to biodiesel costs about $200-$500 for a small scale system. A certain
> amount of knowledge and attention are required during
> transesterification. The transesterification process produces soap and
> glycerin as byproducts which must be separated out and disposed of, and
> the raw BioDiesel must be washed to provide a quality fuel, so the
> process requires a fair amount of labor. However, BioDiesel is a
> flexible fuel, does not require any fuel specific modification to the
> vehicle, and only minimal attention by the operator to mix the BioDiesel
> with an appropriate amount of Petro Diesel, depending on the ambient
> temperature. However, BioDiesel is a superior fuel when compared to
> Petro Diesel. The engine runs smoother and quieter, and emissions of
> hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and particulate matter are significantly
> reduced. Quoted research also indicates improvement in engine longevity,
> decrease in engine maintenance, and better performance, or so the sites
> promoting home brewed BioDiesel claim. Because BioDiesel is a solvent by
> nature, it also cleans the fuel system as it is being used (most people
> using BioDiesel have to perform 1-2 fuel filter changes after soon after
> switching to BioDiesel, due to add the extra crud cleaned out of the
> fuel tanks and lines). I don't know that WVO/VVO provides the
> performance, maintenance and longevity advantages claimed for BioDiesel.
>
> So which is best, a greasecar conversion or home-brewed BioDiesel? I'd
> say it depends on your particular operating conditions. If you live in a
> warmer area and/or make longer trips, a greasecar conversion is a viable
> option. If you live in a colder climate or make a lot of shorter trips,
> where the warm up/purge cycles would require you to run on Petro Diesel
> for a significant part of your trip, BioDiesel seems to make more sense.
>
> Hope this dissertation helps more than it confuses! -- Lee
>
> Stu wrote:
>
>> There is a company in CA doing conversions of diesels to run on Bio
>> Diesel
>> (veg oil at super market prices $2.50) for $700. It uses the vehicles
>> heater in the process. Love Craft Bio Diesel is the company.
>>
>> "Stu" Southern, NH USA "Live Free Or Die; Death Is
>> Not The Worst Of Evils" MVPA #14790
>> 1967 M151A1 Jeep 1964 M416 Trailer 1985 M1008 CUCV Pickup
>>
>
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