Biodiesel and other renewable fuels

[sathid]

As some of you may know, I have a bit of an interest in renewable fuels and alternative technologies. Both in a personal and a professional sense.

I'm just wondering if anyone here is using any, and if you are, what in, and what type.

[shrike]

where's the "I know how to and have made my own biofuels but can't really be arsed making them because the titration is such a bitch" option?

yeah, I need to get back into it. I've still got a decent amount of methanol just sitting there going to waste...

[sathid]

geez, I thought I had given an option for everyone. lol

looks like I cant edit the poll.

[Pricey]

When I get a diesel, I'll run it on the stuff.

Troy this might interest you, Biofuels in 2-Stroke.

[sathid]

Pricey - thanks for the link mate, but check who the author of the fourth post down is.

[Eukanuba]

a diesel bike ? now - that's an idea !

would be a bitch to kickstart tho.. heheheheh

[shrike]

a diesel bike ? now - that's an idea !

would be a bitch to kickstart tho.. heheheheh[/b]

There are a few around. Including a diesel sports bike or two...

[Dog dayz]

Sathid what is the latest on Biofuels?

I've heard a little about them but so far have only mixed results as the amount of energy/fuel used in processing biofuels and the amount produced is about 1 to 1.. I heard from the problems with corn/sugar cane they are going to try an enzyme on tree's or something???

[sathid]

I've been keen on building a diesel bike, or a small trike that uses a diesel engine, but theres not much around for choice of engine (size wise). Did see that one on gizmag a while back. Haven't heard anything since tho.

Did see a video of a turbocharged GM diesel powered yank tank on PimpMyRide that went 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds, and beat a lambo convertible down the strip (and apparently got 25MPG..which is perhaps not so good). Oh, and it was running on biodiesel too.

[shrike]

When I get a diesel, I'll run it on the stuff.

Troy this might interest you, Biofuels in 2-Stroke.[/b]

WTF is that colin skillicorn bloke on?

Biodiesel is a great solvent. If it clogs shit it's because it's getting rid of all the varnishes and shit left over by the dinodiesel.

Sure, it does gel at a higher temp than standard diesel (and maybe that's what he means), but there are additives that will prevent this...

And Arch...

Ethanol IS dangerous stuff. You get pissed off it and offer your defective genes to the pool every friday and saturday night you tosser!

EDIT:
Nebmind. Sathid (as usual with his 2 strokes of goodness) beat me to it

[Pricey]

Pricey - thanks for the link mate, but check who the author of the fourth post down is. [/b]

We all know you're the REAL sathid! lol :iamanidiot:

On a slightly different note, my old boy is convinced that one day when fossil fuels run out they're going to hook whales up to a wharf with pipes sticking out of them into massive silo's and force feed them krill, harvesting the oils from their blubber. Whale harvesting!

[sathid]

I'll bet toyota, nissan and honda will spearhead that one...

lol jj.

anyway, I'm whoring my own thread.

DogDayz - I dont have time to go over everything now (I'm supposed to be doing a lab report *sigh*) and I'm certainly no expert, but the industry is certainly expanding rapidly. There is a number of groups in australia. The Western Australian Renewable Fuels Association (WARFA) is having their monthly meeting on sunday in Vic Park. I've been a member for a while, but this will be the first meeting I'll have been able to attend. I can go through some stuff at a later stage (perhaps with the help of some other forum members? pm me!) to answer questions people have.

Unfortunately a lot of the information that is around about the environmental friendliness of biofuels is inadequate, and much of the info that makes it through the media in opposition to biofuels is contrary to other research in favour of it.

Many of the reports are done using the basis of corn stock for ethanol production (one of the worst ways to make it) or using soy for biodiesel, because the research is conducted in the US, where those feedstocks are chosen for their current economic significance there. Comments like, "biodiesel and ethanol is not as pollution neutral as claimed, because they ignore the fact harvesters, trucks and other farm equipment need fuel" are inane. The argument is completely ignoring the fact those machines could also be run on biofuels...(however fertiliser production is still an issue.)

[Eukanuba]

(however fertiliser production is still an issue.)[/b]

If you saw the mountains of superphosphate rock at my work.. you'd wonder how many birds it took to poo to make that..
infact, my whole job consists of loading trucks with processed bird poo.. to put on the ground so people can eat food..
kinda scary... but i've got the greenest lawn in my street..

I make ethanol for 'experimental purposes' and I've not really had a chance to test it out on a combustion engine..
but it's pretty good stuff when left to sit on american oak for 6 months..

*cough*

of course, i would never condone or endorse drinking without paying applicable taxes to the 'man'..

[Falcore]

ive got a 39 page pdf thats 30mb that tells you how to make it.

pm me and i might send a copy through to someone who can host it or some such

[sathid]

who is it by?

[Pricey]

Can you make lots of biofuel easily, or is it a fairly long winded process?

[sathid]

Well, it takes a bit of getting the technique right, and you need a source of feedstocks etc. I've not made any significant quantities, just small test sample in the lab (and its ethanol based, rather than methanol based as is most common amongst the home biodiesel brewer).

You can buy kits commercially to make biodiesel at home, but most people choose to make their own, either from their own design or from one of the designs available free on the internet.


It all depends on what you want to do really.

[shrike]

ethanol based? the 2-stage process using sulfuric acid instead?

neat.

Yeah, I used the methanol based method. Easier to get your hands on the ingredients and simpler...

[Pricey]

What would it end up costing you per litre to make? Assuming your making like, I don't know... enough to make it worthwhile. 200L?

[sathid]

nope, still a base catalised reaction. I have been looking into other options however, like using ion exchange resins, and also some fancy mixing techniques like oscillatory flow mixing and high power ultrasonic mixing (which looks to be the winner). Luckily I've managed to score time in a uni lab to do my work (which I'd be right now if I could finish this damn lab report) so materials and equipment is no issue.

The main issue with ethanol is not only supply/taxation, but ensuring it is done under dry conditions, as it is more sensitive to water it seems. Not to mention there is considerably less people doing it (I dont think there is any commercially) and so much of the hard work I have to do myself, rather than relying on the experience of others (but thats kind of why I'm doing it. lol)

edit: Pricey, people who make it from WVO (waste vegetable oil - old deep fryer oil and generally FREE) can make it VERY cheaply. consider that they use about 20L of methanol for 100L of fuel, and 800g or so of NaOH. Not including equipment you are most likely looking at less than 50c/L. That is once you've bought the gear and got things running right (you'll probably stuff up a batch or two.)

Your biggest expense will be your own time. That will determine if it is worth it for you.
A bit like home brew beer.