Thought some of you might be interested in how biodiesel reacts at freezing temperature. My bio is soybean oil based (made from waste fryer oil), and like clockwork as always, begins to cloud, then gel at 32F. From left, B30, B50, B70, and B100 which I made a couple months ago.





In the next pic, it's hard to see, but at 28F, the B70 is just beginning to cloud.


Back in late November I was caught unprepared when it dipped into the mid-upper teens and I had a tank of B70 which created starting issues as it had gelled. (Wasn't paying attention to my samples). The B50 sample was fluid and clear though.

 

interesting info. thanks for the pics

 

What do the numbers represent? I dont know a thing about biofuel.

 

That's the ratio of bio to diesel. B50= 50% bio-diesel and 50% diesel.

 

Good pics. Are you mixing with #1 or #2?

 

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks. I blended with #2 from a Shell station, which by the way contains 'up to 5%' biodiesel. So my blend percentages 'might' be skewed a tad bit, but negligible enough for my intents and purposes.

 

Do you have to change any thing out on the eng or fuel system before using anything higher then B5, like hoses, diff fuel pump, etc...? How often do you change your fuel filter?

 

Only thing you need to do is replace the fuel filter shortly after when you start using bio then not much unless you live where it gets really cold.

 

Nice samples. What year did you start with biodiesel?

 

Thanks. I started brewing in 2007.

 

Very informative yet simple thread Alvin thanks!

 

Thats pretty cool man.
Whats the different between Diesel #1 and Diesel #2.
I've only seen Diesel #2 in CA.

 

I have never seen diesel #1 at a pump around here. #1 is more akin to kerosene, having a lower viscosity than #2 and a lower energy content, I believe. Hopefully someone with better knowledge of petroleum fuels will chime in.

 

Thanks for the photos. I put some B100 in a jar last winter and I saw the same results, pudding near freezing. It's tough for me to blend it in the winter as I need to fill the truck after getting it.

I will say running B100 in the summer is awesome, it's quieter and the 7.3 loves it. There is no road tax on it if it's made in RI, so an added bonus for me. Fuel economy is good and I have never had an issue with filters (can't hurt to change it after running bio a bit, it is a solvent and can clean up the system..... right into the filter)

Newport Biodiesel and it's also available in Cumberland RI (pre blended too) at Malloy oil.