ALT fuels

zippyt · 07-07-2004, 11:04 PM

I have a 95 GMC turbodiesel truck that i have been considering switching to biodiesel . Any body have any experence with this ??
As i was searching about for info on this on the web i found this document on converting cow shit to methane .
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_...ane_nepal.html

Pretty slick design i think !!

Troubleshooter · 07-08-2004, 09:49 AM

One of the points that people raise in regards to alternative fuels is the work required to produce a given unit of fuel.

How much does it cost to produce a gallon of gasoline? A gallon of diesel?

Now, how much does it cost to produce enough of the alternative fuels to do the same amount of work as a gallon of gas or diesel?

Where's a good place to start looking?

Carbonated_Brains · 07-08-2004, 07:50 PM

The biggest hassle in making biodiesel is getting a reliable source of grease, and filtering it.

Or you can just buy vegetable oil, but that's quite a bit more expensive than gas ;-)

btw, what country/state/province do you live in?

Scopulus Argentarius · 07-08-2004, 08:07 PM

There's got to be an untapped market for waste cooking grease!

I dunno about the laws in your local, but, down here in the south, restuarants pay to have the stuff hauled off. We test for grease in sewer outfalls and penalize those with levels too high (among other things)

Just think...low on fuel and hungry...time to visit Popeye's fried chicken.

Carbonated_Brains · 07-08-2004, 08:10 PM

I manage a team of CCTV sewer inspectors, I know all too well about grease in the pipes.

Most restaurants will let you take all the grease you want, for free. You basically have a limitless supply.

On top of the grease you need a few basic chemicals like Lye, Methanol (regular stove fluid) and some way to test for pH.

It takes a bit of tinkering, but the standard rate for biodiesel using free, waste oil is 60 cents US per gallon.

zippyt · 07-08-2004, 10:22 PM

Where's a good place to start looking?

Here is the best sorce i have found so far LOTS of info ,
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html

Interesting info . We have lots of catfish places around here that would probley LOVE me to haul off their cooking oil and convert it into biodiesel.

Carbonated_Brains · 07-08-2004, 10:52 PM

The problem is, it tends to gel when it gets cold, and clogs the engine.

zippyt · 07-09-2004, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbonated_Brains

The problem is, it tends to gel when it gets cold, and clogs the engine.

And that sir is why it is best to go with a 2 tank system with inline heaters .
You start with dino-diesel and switch to fry oil and when shutting down you switch back far a minet or so to clear out the fry-oil .

Carbonated_Brains · 07-10-2004, 01:20 AM

haha, I know it says that in the guide, but that's a little bit of an investment. Money, time, and convenience.

I would say just switch to biodiesel during the warm season, depending on how long that is.

Or attach a tank heater.

Or, use an additive to bring the gelpoint lower than freezing.

07-07-2004, 11:04 PM	#1
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	ALT fuels I have a 95 GMC turbodiesel truck that i have been considering switching to biodiesel . Any body have any experence with this ?? As i was searching about for info on this on the web i found this document on converting cow shit to methane . http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_...ane_nepal.html Pretty slick design i think !! __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

07-08-2004, 09:49 AM	#2
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	One of the points that people raise in regards to alternative fuels is the work required to produce a given unit of fuel. How much does it cost to produce a gallon of gasoline? A gallon of diesel? Now, how much does it cost to produce enough of the alternative fuels to do the same amount of work as a gallon of gas or diesel? Where's a good place to start looking? __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

07-08-2004, 07:50 PM	#3
Carbonated_Brains Does it show up here when I type? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Between the smoky layers of a prosciutto sandwich! Posts: 355	The biggest hassle in making biodiesel is getting a reliable source of grease, and filtering it. Or you can just buy vegetable oil, but that's quite a bit more expensive than gas ;-) btw, what country/state/province do you live in? Last edited by Carbonated_Brains; 07-08-2004 at 07:54 PM.

07-08-2004, 10:22 PM	#6
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	Where's a good place to start looking? Here is the best sorce i have found so far LOTS of info , http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html Interesting info . We have lots of catfish places around here that would probley LOVE me to haul off their cooking oil and convert it into biodiesel. __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

07-08-2004, 08:07 PM	#4
Scopulus Argentarius Your current user title is: Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: BTR Posts: 301	There's got to be an untapped market for waste cooking grease! I dunno about the laws in your local, but, down here in the south, restuarants pay to have the stuff hauled off. We test for grease in sewer outfalls and penalize those with levels too high (among other things) Just think...low on fuel and hungry...time to visit Popeye's fried chicken.

07-08-2004, 08:10 PM	#5
Carbonated_Brains Does it show up here when I type? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Between the smoky layers of a prosciutto sandwich! Posts: 355	I manage a team of CCTV sewer inspectors, I know all too well about grease in the pipes. Most restaurants will let you take all the grease you want, for free. You basically have a limitless supply. On top of the grease you need a few basic chemicals like Lye, Methanol (regular stove fluid) and some way to test for pH. It takes a bit of tinkering, but the standard rate for biodiesel using free, waste oil is 60 cents US per gallon.

07-08-2004, 10:52 PM	#7
Carbonated_Brains Does it show up here when I type? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Between the smoky layers of a prosciutto sandwich! Posts: 355	The problem is, it tends to gel when it gets cold, and clogs the engine.

07-10-2004, 01:20 AM	#9
Carbonated_Brains Does it show up here when I type? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Between the smoky layers of a prosciutto sandwich! Posts: 355	haha, I know it says that in the guide, but that's a little bit of an investment. Money, time, and convenience. I would say just switch to biodiesel during the warm season, depending on how long that is. Or attach a tank heater. Or, use an additive to bring the gelpoint lower than freezing.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)