LOST JEEPS
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/

Making BioDiesel
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=34642		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  SBosco [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Making BioDiesel
With fuel prices exceeding $5/gal around me, I am seriously considering making an investment in a Bio-Diesel Processor kit/system. Can anybody offer me some advice? ie. certain features/provisions to have, size, brands, chemicals, techniques, procurement of waste oil, etc?

The ones I am currently considering are smaller scale (24-40 gal):

http://www.biodiesel-kits-online.com/biodiesel-kits.html

http://www.evolutionbiodieselkits.com/raven-biodiesel-processor-specs.php

http://www.evolutionbiodieselkits.com/mega-ester-biodiesel-processor-specs.php

http://www.homebiodieselkits.com/frfuspl.html

http://nwrbiodiesel.com/processors-and-equipment.html

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Author:  mrkake [ Sat Oct 04, 2008 2:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
I am not a fan of the plastic processors. Most people that are involved making their own aren't. You can build an applseed processor yourself and make very good fuel without spending thousands of dollars on equipment. When you calculate your savings by making your own fuel, you need to factor in the cost of equipment.

Head on over here: http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=447609751

You can find great information and more than you would ever want to know about making bio.
Author:  jmoomaw [ Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:03 am ]
Post subject:  Fennery...
I have been talking with Eric. He builds 4 or 5 at a time to sell. It is pricey at $4,000. You get someone who knows the system and will be available for support.

I would want to see a local processor and understand it more from a hands on perspective before building one. I am a hands on learner and have trouble grasping the whole picture from reading.

http://www.fennergybiofuels.com/

I currently am working with a couple of men who are making it for others by trading oil for diesel. I will get 50% of the diesel made and have to pay an additional $1.00 per gal to cover the methanol. Not bad considering the ROI for a processor runs over three years.

Jim
Author:  VTNomad [ Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Price
Assuming the price is $5/gallon, how many miles do you have to drive to make your $4,000 back?

How much is biodiesel costing you guys to make per gallon (not including the equipment investment)?
Author:  mrkake [ Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:48 am ]
Post subject: 
I am using a friends Appleseed processor until I can make my own. He bought 150 lbs of KOH and 4 drums of Methanol and got a killer deal on the lot. If I was paying current prices for catalyst and meth it would cost me about $1.30 per gallon to produce it. I burn about 100 gallons per month (I drive A LOT). ULSD has come down with everything else. We are at around $3.75 a gallon in Vegas right now. For simplicity sake, let's just say I save $3 a gallon. It will take just over 13 months to pay for that kind of equipment. However, my friend put his system together for under $1000. I like to tinker and I like knowing what everything is made of, how its put together and how its supposed to work. So the Appleseed is perfect for me. Plus its made from easily available parts so if something needs to be replaced its no problem. I do like the idea of the nationwide coop thing. Get a good a look at the equipment. There is not a lot of info on the website.
Author:  skywarn [ Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
appleseed is the best way to go, ive built and sold about 4 of them at or below $1000 each. i bet you thinking you can go cheeper, well you might be able to but trust me you looking atl east $700

as for the water heater, there is really no need to go bigger than 40 gal, for a 25 gal batch. the bigger pic is this:
25 gal batch will use apprx 5 gal of Metho.
700 grams of lye
and 1.5 gal of water for pre wash

40 gal tank - 25 oil - 5 meth - 1.5 water=31.5 gal in a 40 gal water tank.

the other plus to this size is you will have no probs washing this in a 55 gal tank
25 gal un-washed bio+10 to 15 gal water to wash = 45gal +\- in a 55 gal tank.

Now for the other side of the coin, right now for winter, i would run at least a 50\50 mix if not more, come Jan here in Tx i run B-30 and mix the rest with Jet Fuel (its free for me so i use it)

so right now you prob will not be making as much as you think you will. due to the cold and the mixing with diesel

hope this helps
Author:  SLS [ Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
Great advise skywarn. 8)
Author:  CRD Joe [ Fri May 06, 2011 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
Im interested in doing this as well.
Author:  kevink [ Sun May 08, 2011 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
I have been making biodiesel successfully for about 3 years. On the whole it has been empowering and satisfying. There are certain considerations that should be taken into account in your descision to dive in or not. It is a large investment in equipment that you will only use occasionally, there is a considerable learning curve, in some areas people are paying $3/gl for the waste vegitable oil so there are questions about getting feedstock. Ad the cost of methanol and caustic and you are over $4/gl before you put a value on your time.

Previously I have been getting my feedstock for free. When I breakdown everything from collection, pre processing, heating, conversion, and post processing, take into account the cost of materials, my time is worth somewhere around $17/hr. That is not bad for a hobby and that is how I frame it, of course I like the principle of it too.

My advise to anyone is beware those who would sell you their equipment saying it is easy. Consider getting involved with or starting a coop where tasks can be delegated and equipment resources can be shared. Why invest $4,000 to $12,000 in equipment that you only use twice a month? Share the experience with friends, realize that this is chemistry and there can be a lot of variables. It can be a very satisfying adventure. And be careful!
Author:  striperman36 [ Sun May 08, 2011 11:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
I'd be interested in doing this.


I use a local supplier in the Newport RI area, I can't always get there as it is close to my office and I travel for work. the price is ok, 3.29 a gal, they do all the work have all the Fed inspections etc. do about 1 million a year and have almost all the WVO tied up around the bay.

However farther up in MA there is a market for collecting WVO.

Any in SE MA interested, please contact me.
Author:  SLS [ Thu May 12, 2011 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
kevink wrote:
I have been making biodiesel successfully for about 3 years. On the whole it has been empowering and satisfying. There are certain considerations that should be taken into account in your descision to dive in or not. It is a large investment in equipment that you will only use occasionally, there is a considerable learning curve, in some areas people are paying $3/gl for the waste vegitable oil so there are questions about getting feedstock. Ad the cost of methanol and caustic and you are over $4/gl before you put a value on your time.

Previously I have been getting my feedstock for free. When I breakdown everything from collection, pre processing, heating, conversion, and post processing, take into account the cost of materials, my time is worth somewhere around $17/hr. That is not bad for a hobby and that is how I frame it, of course I like the principle of it too.

My advise to anyone is beware those who would sell you their equipment saying it is easy. Consider getting involved with or starting a coop where tasks can be delegated and equipment resources can be shared. Why invest $4,000 to $12,000 in equipment that you only use twice a month? Share the experience with friends, realize that this is chemistry and there can be a lot of variables. It can be a very satisfying adventure. And be careful!

Wow!
Where are you located?
The most you would pay for WVO is 75 cents and that would be high around here. (up state NY) :mrgreen:
You can build your own processor for less than $1000 bucks.
It will cost you about $1.25 per gal. to produce biodiesel. Of course if you figure your time is worth $50 bucks an hr. then continue spending your money on foreign oil. :SOMBRERO:
Author:  Knightrider03m [ Fri May 13, 2011 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
I'm a huge fan of making my own gas and I'm trying to push my dad into buying a diesel for his next truck. How much does it cost per gallon when you make your own gas?
Author:  SLS [ Thu Jul 14, 2011 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
Knightrider03m wrote:
I'm a huge fan of making my own gas and I'm trying to push my dad into buying a diesel for his next truck. How much does it cost per gallon when you make your own gas?

Just for clarification purposes...
Although you can distill ethanol for your gas engines you would make biodiesel fuel to run in you diesel engine. This could be blended with the diesel fuel at up to 100% if you wanted too. :SOMBRERO:
Author:  Rixram [ Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
striperman36 wrote:
I'd be interested in doing this.


I use a local supplier in the Newport RI area, I can't always get there as it is close to my office and I travel for work. the price is ok, 3.29 a gal, they do all the work have all the Fed inspections etc. do about 1 million a year and have almost all the WVO tied up around the bay.

However farther up in MA there is a market for collecting WVO.

Any in SE MA interested, please contact me.


Newport Biodiesel has a very good, precise process. After getting very familiar with their operation, I will certainly tell you that there is a lot more to making consistently reliable biodiesel than one would expect. I used to harbor the "DIY" drive as well. Now, not-so-much. Between the start-up cost, availability of WVO and level of use, the payback period would be too exceedingly long. The only savings would come in economy of scale. And considering that Newport Biodiesel sells for $0.50 less than pump diesel per gallon, not to mention the personal risk involved, I wouldn't try it now.
Author:  smokinbubba [ Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Making BioDiesel
Been making Bio for at least 7 yrs. Many considerations.... Free feedstock is a must and it needs to be GOOD feedstock. Junk waste veg oil is worthless and will cause more headaches than a newbee should have. Learn how to titrate oil and get oil with very little free fatty acids as possible (titration is the only way to determine this)

You must have a way to dispose of bi-products. You will have approx 25% glicerin. You will have at least 100-150gal of wash water. So... 100gal of bio = 25gal of glycerin, 150gal wash water.

You must have a supplier for methanol and Lye and a storage area for each and knowlege of safety practices with these chemicals.I live in the country, am not on Muni water, I have a well, Have a 24x40 pole barn which is 1/2 full with bio processor equipment. I have a way to dispose of glycerin and wash water.

I make 100 gal batches in a 150gal mueller stainless milk tank appleseed homemade processor. I started with a 40gal water heater but soon outgrew it. I collect oil with a 250gal tank and vacuum pump. I have agreements with three asian restaurants to collect their oil free of charge. I make a LOT of fuel. I heat 2 houses and currently run 6 diesel vehicles with my fuel.

Of course, you can start small....I did. just make sure you research EVERYTHING. It is an easy process which can be easilly automated with simple lamp timers but still takes a lot of time.

OH, stay away from anything plastic until you are at your washing/drying tank. Processors need to be metal!!
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/