700vtwinman,

Not yet. Just in the process of sorting out my reactor build.
I really like the idea of producing my own fuel.
Any advice? Do you have a website I should read?

I'm still a little confused on the washing process.
I understand the basics and have found most of the parts I need.
I'd like to produce something on the order of 80 gals per run so I am not doing this every week.

I was not aware Polaris had built a Diesel 4x4. I knew about the large units.
I might try to pick one up.

 

Houndog,

What does your reactor setup look like?
I am just trying to sort that out now and the washing has me confused.

I'd like nothing better than to stop buying fuel.

 

If you guys can tell me how to post a pic here, I'd be happy to show you my setup. And yes - I only use washed and dried fuel because of the Excursion. If I was only using it in my old MB's and tractors and Polaris, I would use unwashed.

Houndog

 

Look near the top for "My Page" next to the "Profile" button.

It will let you set up a personal page and add photos.

 

Making your own bio diesel looks interesting. No doubt as the gas prices climb higher we will see more of it. Whats the word from the green weenies on this? Is there any negative enviro effects at all?

The old moonshiners were supposed have burned straight alcohol in their cars. I don't know if you could do it long term for daily driving, though.

 

Deedawg,

The Green Weenies love it.

It is much better environmentally than any petroleum product.

The only by product is Glycerin, which can be used to make great soap.
When it burns it puts of the same amount of CO2 as the plant mass required to replace it consumes.
There are none of the noxious compounds found in burned diesel.

The short story is that you take used vegetable oil (or new) and add methanol and lye.
You get a deisel fuel that is better for your engine and soap out of the mix.

BTW, this is exactly what Rudolph Diesel had in mind when he invented the engine in the first place.
He wanted the engine to run on purevegetable oil which is doable with some modifications.
his plan was to make farmers capable of being self sufficient.

Google Biodiesel or go to http://journeytoforever.org for some good reading.

PS - Thank you for the 22 years.

 

Where do you get your fatty acid from, vegatable oil? I use veg oil for making standards for our HPLC in our analytical lab, but as far as fatty acid source, it really doesn't matter. Currently we are working on soy bean oil extraction for the fatty acids along with other seed oils, but due to our confidentally agreements here at our research facility, that is about all I can mention.......but the research I am doing outside of work is my own. Anyway, I will have to wait to spill some "beans".....no pun intented.....lol. The bottom line is by about 2012, the majority of diesel will be a 50:50 blend of fossel fuel diesel and biodiesel. The benefit of the bio diesel is emmisions as well as the BTU/lb in the mfg process. You come out ahead with bio diesel if the process is refinded correctly. And the there are no nitrogen or sulfur like benzothoiphene or methyl mercaptan...etc. in the bio diesel to form NOX or SO compounds. And the biomass left over is minimal if the fatty acid is extracted from a bean seed. For ethanol processing using corn, the biomass is extremely high and the BTU/lb is on the slightly negative side. That is why the government subsides the farmers who make etoh.....so they can make a profit. However, a farmer will come out 5 times ahead with growing seeds for bio diesel.

 

Isn't the yield (tonnage) greater per acre with beans as well?
Or is that figured in the 5x figure?

 

I've heard they top out at like 35-38MPH. I wonder what one would sound like with a performance exhaust? I'm sure it'd have to be custom made, maybe even get an exhaust brake for it. Haha, I bet those things will run forever though.

 

Most folks get their WVO from restaurants. Finding a few in a large city is a huge chore as most of them have contracts with large companies. The biggest problem will be the resistance from the oil companies. As we steer away from fossil fuels those companies will either have to enter this business or they will loose money. There are plenty of reasons that we dont see more biodiesel fuel right now and you can bet the number one reason is folks that line their pockets with oil money. Some of which are in charge of the country right now....