Made my first batch of Biodiesel

[dblugly]

Pic 1 shows the whole system. The white tank on the right is my collection tank, the silver one is the pre-heat tank. I heated approximately 23 gallons and pumped it into the white tank on the left. That is where the magic happens. I mix in my Methanol/lye mixture and circulate out of the tank from the bottom and back into the tank from the top for about two hours.

Pic 2 you can see the smaller tank in the back, that is where I mix the Methanol and Lye, it than drains into the flow of the circulating oil from the big tank. After circulating I let it stand for about four hours, than drain off the Glyceren from the bottom. You cant see in the pictures, but the mixing tank has a water jacket on top. I plugged my garden hose into to it and pumped about five gallons of water at a fine mist. Let the water settel to the bottom and drain and repeat until the water is clear. That is where I am at right now. As soon as I am done "Washing", I will pump it into a drying tank. Once dry, I hope to be burnning it. I will post more info on my final product and how my ride is liking it.

[M John Galt]

Nice compact set-up. What happens to the methanol fumes?

[mac]

Cool! Constructed yourself? $$? How long to produce a batch and what is the final quantity?

Good on ya!

[dblugly]

mac,

No I bought the system, I didn't want to try to fab one up myself, even though they are pretty simplistic. I paid $1300, that included shipping. I know that seems high, but I figure I will break even in about six months or so. Diesel is, best price I found 3.57 a Gal. It cost me around 1.50 a Gal, thats just a guesstimate. It's taken me two days to get to the drying stage. one hour to heat the oil, two hours mixing the oil. Let the oil sit over night. Washing took a total of 10 hours, that is not hands on time. Most of the time is waiting for it to do it's thing.

[dblugly]

M John Galt,

Are you the same guy who busted my balls on the Biodiesel fourm for asking a question in the wrong section?

[haryv]

dbugly,

You have one advantgage that perhaps alot of people may not have and that is a warm garage to do this. Just a few warnings though. Use a splash shild and bib when mixing the methoxide it can be absobed into the skin and cause blindness and also no smoking in the area. I would be as a safety percaution put all this in a metal shilded enclosure in the case there is a fire not that it would happen.

Also, try using the glycerin on auto parts. The glycerin is supper slippery and works great as a soap and should make heavy oil grime slip right off the auto parts.

I did my first batch about seven years ago but first heard about it 10 years ago when almost no one in the states herd of it. Good luck in using it. It will drop your emissions to some really amazing low numbers when you have to take it in for your yearly test and also, dont use it if the temp out side drops to freezing

[mel lowe]

Awesome work!

It is a great feeling to produce your own fuel.

[caddyles]

Did you get your oil for free, or did you pay for it? What percentage of the oil was usable and how much turns into glycerin? Also, just wondering, I have a BJ41 as well and was wondering if yours is 24 volt, and where did yours come from?

[ThePookieBear]

Hey thats a sweet set up. My buddy and I are working on getting ours processor and everything set up. We have made a few batches in the kitchen. I am wondering what method you guys use to test it? I have put it into a spray bottle after washing/settling/drying and then lit a match in front of it. Man! Scared me the first time. Lots of heat and flame and almost zero residue. But...any definitive test other than a vehicle?

[M John Galt]

Originally Posted by ThePookieBear

...any definitive test other than a vehicle?

testing BD
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/foru...8281092351/p/1

feedback on this design
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/foru...622#3001008622

[ThePookieBear]

Thanks. I'll have to check through that stuff. I think I'm doing everything backwards...starting to make biodiesel before my cruiser is converted. : ).

[M John Galt]

Originally Posted by ThePookieBear

Thanks. I'll have to check through that stuff. I think I'm doing everything backwards...starting to make biodiesel before my cruiser is converted. : ).

You shouldn't have to 'convert' a diesel Landcruiser to run BD, unless you want to run 100% BD at temperatures below freezing.

[ThePookieBear]

I can run it in my 3FE? : ).

[dblugly]

Originally Posted by caddyles

Did you get your oil for free, or did you pay for it? What percentage of the oil was usable and how much turns into glycerin? Also, just wondering, I have a BJ41 as well and was wondering if yours is 24 volt, and where did yours come from?

Yes I am getting my oil from a local restaurant for free. It's almost 100% return on your oil, All the Methanol turns into Glycerin, well most of it.

Yeah my ride is 24 volt, came from Japan.

[davegonz]

Can you tell me the name of the manufacturer? A couple of us diesel cruiserheads here in Austin are thinking of going in on a system.

[ThePookieBear]

I think that its pretty simple to do it yourself. I think especially if several people are going in on it you would get a better return for your money/knowledge of how its setup and works by doing it yourself. Its pretty fun too. I haven't set up a bio processor but have done lots of plumbing on spray trailers and things. It is interesting to do it.

[calphi27]

Originally Posted by dblugly

M John Galt,

Are you the same guy who busted my balls on the Biodiesel fourm for asking a question in the wrong section?

looks like it is. check his sig line.

[ThePookieBear]

Hey dblugly. How is that processor working out? Just curious. Still working on gettting mine up and running.

[dblugly]

ThePookieBear

Things are going good so far. I am burning approximately 20% bio to 80% diesel right now, its a little cold out. I have 50 more gallons ready to convert, just waiting on some methanol to come in, I had to order it and with the Holidays and all things are a Little slow as far as shipping goes.

The exhaust definitely smells different, not like fries just smells like hot oil. Have not noticed a drop in power, its a 2b motor not a lot of power to begin with.

[ThePookieBear]

Ha ha. I wouldn't care too much about that power. But...how is the economy? If you have been keeping track of that have you noticed any drop? Some say it gets lower, others say it doesn't change. Anyway, just curious. Glad its going well.

[nat]

Sweet, nice job. I have friends that have been making their own for years.

[M John Galt]

Up to about 25% BD or VO, one will usually get improved economy or a perceived increase in power which can eat the economy gain. Up to 25% percent the VO or BD helps the diesel burn more completely. Above 25% the economy drops with added VO or BD.