Amazing bio-diesel 100-series; full photos

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Yes, the price of grains is going through the roof due to the ethanol deal. Our reserves are being depleted. Farmers are going to love it. Really the government shouldn't be in farming at all.

Biodiesel is different. I'm very interested in it. In Montana there was a display way back in 96 where they were growing a weed that occured naturally in Montana and they were squeezing the oil out of it to run diesel trucks. However, it is impossible for everyone to run biodiesel.
 
As usual, a bunch of simple explanations and conspiracy theories to a complex subject. Please, somebody provide something with substance as to why biodiesel is 'the answer' vs ethanol. Then we can have a real discussion. I'd really like to hear something intelligent.
Usually the argument is about biofuels vs other alternative fuels, not ethanol vs biodiesel. If you think about it for just a sec, it shouldn't be too hard to figure why that it is.
 
Personally, I would prefer a cruiser that ran on waste veggie oil, since restaurant owners down here would pay me to use it up. It would be great if people could use what is most abundant where they live. Kind of like what genericLC was getting at. If everyone used biodiesel, we have to eat even more fried foods to keep up with the demand. Then we would learn what obesity really is.

The only problem I see with diversity in fuel is what happens when we travel outside our region? None of these "alternative fuels" are the answer, just baby steps in the right direction.
 
I will take the easy way out and not offer an answer b/c I don't know what the ultimate answer will be. I just think ethanol isn't the answer now. We would be better off running 100% petro.
 
Now I think the discussion is in a better direction. I don't necessarily agree with you guys. But at least we do agree on something... that is that neither biodiesel or ethanol are the ultimate answer. But I do believe they are worth exploring. Most people don't take many things into account regarding ethanol. Such as..
a) How much more efficient the process is now than just a few years ago thanks to money being pumped into R&D.
b) How much R&D (and success) is going into cellulosic ethanol. If successful, this will totally transform the ethanol landscape. The US ethanol industry itself is putting a lot of money into weaning itself off of corn.... which is contradictory to many of the conspiracies out there.
c) Most (if not all the 'studies') do not take into acount the coproducts that are produced along with Ethanol. Nothing is wasted, leftover solids are fed to livestock.

Again, don't take this as me championing ethanol. I would just like that people be a little better informed. I just started this because I really wanted to hear from gbcruiser what "light" us American ethanol zealots (as opposed to any Canadian, Brazilian, Indian, Chinese or Colombian ethanol zealots) might see when "Japanese Engineers" develop a biodesiel refining unit the size of a spare tire in 3 years.
In other words, biodiesel is the be all to end all, and ethanol is evil. There's way too much overlap between these two products to not make that kind of implication ridiculous. If, instead, he said that hydrogen fuel cells is the answer and biofuels are counterproductive... then, whether I agree or not, there is at least a case to be made there. I just wanted see how he would back up his assertions in that odd posting.
 
Okay, now we're way off topic, but since I have some info, I need to share!

In my December '07 issue of "Biodiesel Magazine", there is an article about two scientists from Glycos Biotechnologies who are working on making ethanol with glycerin, which is the bi-product of biodiesel!

It says this may become fruition even before cellulose technology!

Here's the article- Biodiesel Magazine

BTW.. we run B99.9 (B100) in our 1995 E300.
 
And... in Nevada, there is a company, "Infinifuel" that is going to make biodiesel from algae. This biggest problems biodiesel producers run into with trying to use algae ponds is that they cool off at night. Fortunately for Infinifuel, they have geothermal, so the ponds are always the right temp!

Oil from algae | Nevada Appeal | Serving Carson City, Nevada
 
Cool stuff offroadkid. I've also heard of a few investigative projects regarding algae to ethanol. Would be pretty cool to turn that backyard pond scum into fuel!
 
We did our part for them today. They were a little cramped for space so we helped them with a rack, jerry cans and holders, wolf boxes and storage bag.

biodiesel.jpg
 
jones said:
As usual, a bunch of simple explanations and conspiracy theories to a complex subject. Please, somebody provide something with substance as to why biodiesel is 'the answer' vs ethanol. Then we can have a real discussion. I'd really like to hear something intelligent.
Usually the argument is about biofuels vs other alternative fuels, not ethanol vs biodiesel. If you think about it for just a sec, it shouldn't be too hard to figure why that it is.
Click to expand...

My guess is biodiesel contains a lot more BTU's than ethanol. Ethanol has fewer BTU's than gasoline, and by the time you figure all the energy to process the corn into fuel, fertilizers (and energy needed to produce them), pesticides, water for the corn, etc., it's a wash vs. fossil fuels. Sugar cane ethanol requires less energy to produce compared to corn ethanol, and while the Brazilian gov't is willing to sell us sugar ethanol at pennies on the dollar for what it costs to produce corn ethanol domestically, our gov't won't allow it. Unfortunately, there aren't many places where sugar cane can be grown domestically in a cost effective manner. Sugar beets might be a possibility. As far as veggie oil, I have no idea how much corn it takes to produce a gallon of used corn oil though I'm sure it's a lot. I guess one could use other oils, like safflower, etc.
 
Damn Christo, I almost stopped in to grab a few things yesterday! I would have loved to see this thing.
 
With all that weight, what are they running for Springs?? Shocks?? Custom?

That conversion aparatus must weigh a ton!
 
Jim_Chow said:
My guess is biodiesel contains a lot more BTU's than ethanol. Ethanol has fewer BTU's than gasoline, and by the time you figure all the energy to process the corn into fuel, fertilizers (and energy needed to produce them), pesticides, water for the corn, etc., it's a wash vs. fossil fuels. Sugar cane ethanol requires less energy to produce compared to corn ethanol, and while the Brazilian gov't is willing to sell us sugar ethanol at pennies on the dollar for what it costs to produce corn ethanol domestically, our gov't won't allow it. Unfortunately, there aren't many places where sugar cane can be grown domestically in a cost effective manner. Sugar beets might be a possibility. As far as veggie oil, I have no idea how much corn it takes to produce a gallon of used corn oil though I'm sure it's a lot. I guess one could use other oils, like safflower, etc.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you may be right on many accounts. I still never see these 'studies' take int account how much byproduct is used to feed cattle. If they weren't eating that, then they'd still be eating corn.... only now a little something has been taken out of it first.

Anyway, I have a more optimistic long term outlook and confidence in science than some. As I said before, the 'evil', conspiracy loving ethanol industry in the US itself is spending a lot of money in reducing its dependence on corn. Cellulosic ethanol is making big gains in becoming more economical. And I'm sorry, but but if someone thinks ethanol is a huge mistake, then there's no reason that they think biodiesel is a godsend. Think about what it would take on an enormous scale. Right now it's 'fun' to do it on an individual basis.... but that's a long way form it being 'the answer'. I'm not down on biodiesel, I just started this in response to someone implying that biodiesel is the be all to end all and ethanol is simply a conspiracy.
Anyway... i say great for biodiesel, I say great for ethanol... for now. I haven't seen the magic bullet yet... until I do, I say let's give them all a fighting chance.
Here's an interesting read on some of the latest R&D.
Superbugs May Save Biofuels - Forbes.com
 
I sure hope the national news organizations catch wind of these guys. It would definitely help put some more fuel on the "bring diesel cruisers to the US" fire. Is Toyota NA involved with this project at all?
 
Scoot Jockey said:
I sure hope the national news organizations catch wind of these guys. It would definitely help put some more fuel on the "bring diesel cruisers to the US" fire. Is Toyota NA involved with this project at all?
Click to expand...

Toyota donated the Land Cruiser, but they are relying on donations to make it around the world AFAIK. The 100 is a NA diesel. I got to check it out and meet the team when they came to Fort Collins, CO. They are a very nice, fun group of people. I spotted their 100 in Fort Collins while on my way to pick up a 2nd battery for my 100. I was grabbing some pictures when they came up behind me filming me with big grins.

They were looking for more cargo capacity for fuel, and they were originally looking for a 100 series tow hitch and receiver carrying basket. I'm glad they took Sgt Grunt's suggestion and visited Slee on their way to NM. Looks like Christo got them taken care of!

BTW, the lead driver (Yamada) has driven and placed in the Dakar with a biodiesel 100 series.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom