(Home) bio diesel

Calling "Clive" - Bristol
Can you share your method for producing this liquid gold with me. I just paid 96p for a litre of diesel and recon its time to change. Info on how I pay duty on it, would also be appreciated.

- (#1484) stephen judge, 21 May 05 14:49

Stephen, B80 on sale at Crawfordsburn, usually a penny or two under normal price. Where was 96p extorted out of you? It's 88.9 round Ards at the moment...

- (#1484) David Miller, 21 May 05 17:32

Have a look at www.bio-power.co.uk
The way I make it is not available to you unless you attend a makers seminar.

- (#1484) Clive (Bristol), 21 May 05 18:37

/ or look at the many techniques on journeytoforever

- (#1484) David Miller, 22 May 05 02:36

Thanks for the links. Actually found a research paper at earthlink.net that details a method.
Pity about having to attend a makers seminar - Clive - I doubt there's any in NI.
David -rip off station was on the Albertbridge road.

- (#1484) stephen judge, 22 May 05 13:21

The BP opposite Budget DIY? Wouldn't be surprised. BP tend to be a penny dearer than everyone else round here, and thats where there's competition...

- (#1484) David Miller, 22 May 05 14:16

Clive, if it's a recipe, is it really bio? I was reading an article in Car Mechanics a couple of months back, and the "producer" they were featuring was promoting some nasty sounding blend of WVO with what sounded like a witches brew of kero, turps or something similar, and calling it biopower. That's the same crowd, isn't it?
Hmm. If there's anything other than oil, methanol, and caustic soda being used, it aint biodiesel in the true sense, and I wouldn't be keen on using it. (personal opinion)

- (#1484) David Miller, 22 May 05 16:37

Clive,
If you find things moved in your "lab" , or have your tank syphoned and have a feeling your being watched - it's only me trying to steal your formula.
Seriously though - Any tips regarding making suitable equipment ( or utilising everyday objects ) for this process would be appreciated. Also I'd be interested in knowing have you evaluated the option of including a Conc Sulphuric acid first step to ensure soaps that are formed later, are water soluble. Is it worth the added hassle and how much of an impact does it have on your yield. Most of the chemistry seems straight forward enough to me - as I work in Chemistry lab.
Lastly, what about obtaining waste oil - any tips on the best sources i.e. avoid McDonalds, use your local chippy ?

- (#1484) stephen judge, 22 May 05 16:52

Not my posting above.
Not secret just a way of ensuring a standard that all Bio-Power makers must reach to trade under the name Bio-Power.
Veg oil local chippy the best, Mac don't have used oil it goes out on the food!
David it is Bio-Diesel as defined by HM C&E.
I don't use any chemicals in my process, no soap left overs and no caustic RME produced Bio-Diesel in my tank thankyou.

- (#1484) Clive (Bristol), 23 May 05 02:38

Meh. Customs, what would they know. Shall we agree that it's an MVO rather than the product of a transesterification? Actually, if there's any caustic in bioD you aint doing it right. A simple washing stage will deal with any remaining caustic anyway...

Our local commercially- made bio is produced by Terry de Winne, who is very well known in sustainable fuel circles and is a vocal lobbyist.

- (#1484) David Miller, 23 May 05 03:24

Clive,
I assume you ARE using methanol or a substitute.
Despite the fact I've free access to 200Lts of waste oil every fortnight - I've no intention to produce this stuff, other than for my own use. So some help would be appreciated.
Looking at the cost of Methanol it makes the process look too expensive. Can you tell me what your using and a source ?

- (#1484) stephen judge, 23 May 05 15:03

Stephen, it might be worth making contact with Terry- his addy is terry@biofuels.fsnet.co.uk. B80 is 84.9p/l in Crawfordsburn at the mo, I was over tonight.

Clive's biofuel isn't methanol reacted, rather the oil is thinned with a selection of easy-to-obtain solvents. But you gotta join up if you want to know what...

Why don't you just filter and dry the oil you have access to, and run a WVO/ diesel mix? 50/50 needs no modifications even when the weather cools a bit.

- (#1484) David Miller, 23 May 05 15:47

Thanks for the info David.
Can you tell me where he is in Crawfordsburn.
I'll take a run over on Friday.
I'm finding there's so much information "out there" its a case of data overload.
I was focused on conversion of the WVO - actually did'nt know it would run on a filtered 50/50 mix. Any links you have would be appreciated.

- (#1484) stephen judge, 23 May 05 16:52

Plenty of good stuff on journeytoforever.org
Terry's plant is (IIRC) on the Castlereagh Road, his product is sold retail at the Crawfordsburn filling station- Ballyrobert road, just as you enter the village- and they have two nozzles dispensing, at the door, on the roadside.

If you have an interest in these things, and especially if you have anything to offer in terms of waste oil or process chemical experience, get in touch! 'E like as a good natter.

a couple of other sites:

http://www.biofuels.fsnet.co.uk/basics.htm

http://www.ukbiodiesel.biz

- (#1484) David Miller, 24 May 05 02:03