What are Biofuels? - Biofuels for diesel engines are made from any organic matter which can be pressed to make oil. It is important to distinguish between pure plant oil (PPO) and biodiesel. PPO, which includes filtered waste vegetable oil, is a more viscous fuel than refined diesel. Diesel engines with indirect fuel systems can be modified to run on PPO. Engines with common rail and more modern fuel injection systems cannot be modified to run on PPO, as it damages the injectors.
How does it work? - PPO is viscous at normal temperatures, making it difficult to start an engine from cold. To run on PPO, an indirect fuel injection system must have a second fuel tank filled with less viscous normal diesel for use in starting the engine. One the system is warmed up, the operator switches over to the main vegetable oil tank until just before the end of the journey.
Alternatively, the main tank can be modified to preheat the oil to around 70 degrees before starting the engine. Conversion kits are available for diesel car engines and could be adapted to marine engines.
Where to buy it - Pure biodiesel can be bought at filling stations around the country. There are no waterside facilities as yet for boat owners. However, Portland Marina's new fuel berth is making plans for a biofuel tank if demand continues to grow.
The cost of biodiesel - The price of pure vegetable oil has doubled in recent years, due to the growing biodiesel industry. The cost varies, depending on the material used to produce it. Fuel made from pure virgin plaint oil is around the same price as standard diesel, despite a lower rate of duty. Fuel made from cooking oil, and other waste source, is normally cheaper.
PPO is considered a fuel substitute and is taxed at the same rate. Using store bought PPO is uneconomical, but cheaper sources, such as wholesale suppliers, could save money.
Emissions - Pure biodiesel is a strong solvent, and old fuel tanks can be stripped of sediment from the tank and clog the filter. Biodiesel can also attack rubber hoses and gaskets.
Biodiesel creates 10% higher levels of nitrogen oxide emissions than standard diesel, although its carbon emissions and sulphur levels are much lower. International Maritime Organisation emissions regulations set maximum levels for all vessels emissions. Engine manufacturers modify combustion parameters in order to meet the emissions standards. Boat owners are not required to maintain these standards but for environmental reasons, catalectic convertors can be fitted to lower emissions.
Storage - Biodiesel can be stored in the same way as normal diesel, using closed containers with as little free space at the top as possible. Biodiesel can also be contaminated by fuel bug, just like other diesel, so avoid half-fuel tanks where condensation can collect. Containers should be protected from direct sunlight and low temperatures.
The pros and cons of Biodiesel - Aside from the lack of supply at waterside, there are doubts over the reliability of using biofuels. Home production is really only viable for boat owners with high fuel use and those willing to sell their excess. Plus, emissions are a concern. However, biodiesel can save you money.
Biofuel production requires some technological improvement before it can be used globally without causing damaging the environment.
Bio diesel is not a new concept it has been around for quite some time, it is largely the idea of using oils such as vegetable oil and canola to power a diesel vehicle. This is not really a strange concept since the first diesel engine was not made to run on our modern day fossil fuels, but instead was run on peanut oil.
Diesel motors do not require the same refined process that is used with modern cars, this in mind diesel engines are not designed for smooth high powered running either, they are more like the draft horse of engines, and will generally last a lot longer than a normal car motor.
Many people who make bio diesel themselves use either used cooking oils or grow crops of canola, and crush it to get oil. Ideally if you have the acreage to grow a crop of canola this is the best method as you are getting clean oil to begin making bio diesel so no time will be wanted in the process of cleaning it. Although used oil from fish and chip shops is just as effective provided that you clean and drain it properly the end result is just as good.
There are many different methods available for making Bio Diesel, A simple one that I have found uses the following ingredients: used cooking oil, Methanol, Sodium Hydroxide. Please note that this procedure is risky and I do not recommend making biodiesel without further research of the process, these are just general guidelines of the making process, if you wish to actually make your own bio diesel please consult expert companies or professionals.
Note that the oil must be heated and drained twice to ensure that you have got all of the muck out of it, if you don't take the time to do this you will block up your fuel filters. It is advisable to begin with a test batch of bio diesel, this is easily done by using kitchen scales and a blender, with a ratio of 6 grams of sodium Methoxide to 1 liter of cooking oil. This measurement is only a guide that is why you do a test batch, to find out the exact calculation that will be required to make a larger batch.
Heat the oil, add the Methoxide solution and mix this in the blender, and let the mixture stand to settle. If the test batch is successful you will see that the glycerin has sunk to the bottom of the mix once settled, Glycerine looks black, and sinks to the bottom of the blender, but the bio diesel will be an amberish color and will float to the top. This means you have separated the mixture and changed the molecular structure of the oil, it can never revert back to its original status again.
Once you have your calculations correct you can start mixing bigger batches, You will then need to make up a plant for handling larger amounts of oil. There are blue prints of designs all over the internet, they vary in design, just as much as the recipe for bio diesel does! Find one that you feel is easy to make and understand.
On a final note, be sure that you always test the oil first as once you have began the process you cant change your formula. So take care to make sure that all of your calculations are correct before trying to make larger batches. When working with Methanol and Sodium Hydroxide be very careful to take safety precautions to protect yourself from burns, or injury.
Both Simon White & Daniel Roshard are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.