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Waste Grease to Bio-fuel. Neva J. Thompson. Bio-fuel is environmentally friendly. It has fewer emissions, is biodegradable and is a renewable source. PROS OF USING BIO-FUEL. Using as small amount as 20% Bio-Diesel can reduce carbon dioxide by 15%
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Waste Grease to Bio-fuel Neva J. Thompson
Bio-fuel is environmentally friendly It has fewer emissions, is biodegradable and is a renewable source
PROS OF USING BIO-FUEL • Using as small amount as 20% Bio-Diesel can reduce carbon dioxide by 15% • If Spilled, it causes less damage as it is biodegradable and non-toxic • Has a high flash point of higher than 150° C where diesel has a flash point of 52° C making it easier to handle, store and to transport
More Pros • Biodiesel adds to an engines movement, and acts as a solvent to loosen up deposits from the inside of an engine and adds none of its own. • It is 10 times less toxic that table salt.
Cons to Bio-Fuel • The emissions of Bio-diesel are higher in Nitrogen Oxide which causes smog. • Bio-diesel being a solvent can cause some clogging problems in older engines. • It also breaks down rubber parts such as fuel filters and fuel pump seals
More Cons • There can be a slight decrease in fuel economy and about a 10% decrease in power. • The cost is higher, B100 is from $1.95 to $3.00 a gallon higher • It is not readily available in most states.
Making Your Fuel at Home • It is not recommended that you make your bio-diesel at home • There are many websites that can guide you through the process • It can be complicated and if not done correctly, very costly in engine repairs
Ingredients • Around 15 quarts of waste vegetable oil (WVO) -- used cooking oil, fryer grease, animal fats, lard • Methanol (CH3OH) -- 99%+ pure • Sodium hydroxide (NaOH -- caustic soda, lye) -- Found in drain Cleaner) must be dry
Procedure for Day 1 • Filter out any food scraps or other solids • If needed, heat to evaporate water from oil, it is recommended on keeping the batches small and everything in one place. Do not over heat or burn the oil.
Methanol • Methanol is very corrosive, flammable and dangerous; it does not have to be ingested but can be absorbed by the skin so wear protective equipment and a respirator. • Use only equipment rated for this use
Mixing Methanol and Lye • Use true measurements to measure the lye, just a few grains more or less can make the difference in you bio-diesel • Mix about 3 quarts of methanol and about 3 quarts of lye in a large can using a drill with a large bit on it. • The liquid will get warm when the wanted chemical reaction occurs.
There is no need for Expensive equipment, Homemade will work Well.
Mixing the Oil and Sodium Meth-oxide • Pour the cleaned oil into a clean 5 gallon bucket and mix in ½ of the sodium meth-oxide. • Only mixing in ½ at a time allows the remaining mixture to melt any remaining lye crystals. • There should be a bubbling and swirling reaction when all is added and mixed.
Notice the rich color and The method used to mix The oil and Sodium Meth-oxide
Glycerin • Mixing causes the contents to start getting thick, this is the glycerin breaking out. • Mix for 30 minutes and allow to stand overnight for the glycerin to completely settle out. • The next day the glycerin should be at the bottom of the bucket and a dark color.
Filtering • Use a commercial grade restaurant filtering bags in the 5-10 micron range to catch any debris • Do not avoid this step, the fuel may look clear but do not take the chance
Washing the Fuel • Some people “wash” the fuel but adding equal amounts of water and allow the water to settle out carrying the un-dissolved chemicals with it. Drain off the bio-diesel fuel.
Add to your Tank • You can buy a pump and pump it in or use a funnel and a bucket but the results are the same, Fuel for your vehicle.
Conclusion • Using waste to create fuel for our vehicles has been around almost from the start of vehicles. • It makes good sense to reuse this product to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help clean our environment. • Several Branches of the Armed Services, NASA, U.S. Postal Service, Florida Power and Light and Cincinnati Metro are using this type of fuel for fleet vehicles.
References • http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_mike.html • http://biofuel.org.uk/ • http://www.journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html • http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/biodiesel/ss/makebiodiesel
References • http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel • http://auto.howstuffworks.com/biodiesel2.htm