Biodiesel transfer and storage

[GoCamping]

Hey guys, Been fooling around with bio-d myself on and off and finally found out about and joined a local, established co-op. Much easier when you can work together instead of on your own! Anyway, I would like to work it out so I can come by and get my "allowance" once a month and store the fuel at home. (All I'm doing now is limited by using diesel cans). What do you guys use for transferring and storing? I also considered an aux fuel tank and just keep the fuel in the truck bed but they are $$$ not to mention the theft side of things... I thought about two 55gal drums - one in the truck and one at home; pump into drum at the co-op, then pump out into the drum at home. Any recommendations on a good pump setup? Don't want to spend too much but not el cheapo either... Thanks!

[monsterbaby]

for a pump I actually use one like this
Tuthill Hand Fuel Pump — 2in. NPT, Model# FR152NT | Barrel + Hand Pumps | Northern Tool + Equipment

I have two of them one for bio, and one for my race gas have had both of them for going on 4yrs now and never had any issues with either one and pumped a lot of fuel with them. Price isn't to bad either. If you want electric pump you are really going to jump up in price.

Personally I would just use a couple 55 gallon drums.

[TXHillCountry]

Originally Posted by monsterbaby

Personally I would just use a couple 55 gallon drums.

And I'd use 55 plastic drums, specifically for the storage.

We get them down here for $15 a barrel if they were "food grade", ie..they came with juices, soft drinks, etc in them, or $10 a barrel for the ones that came with liquid soaps for places like car washes.

TX

[Phydeaux88]

Originally Posted by TXHillCountry

And I'd use 55 plastic drums, specifically for the storage.

We get them down here for $15 a barrel if they were "food grade", ie..they came with juices, soft drinks, etc in them, or $10 a barrel for the ones that came with liquid soaps for places like car washes.

TX

Uhmmmm
I vaguely recall something about using plastic to store BD.
I cannot be sure but check it out before you commit.

[TXHillCountry]

Originally Posted by Phydeaux88

Uhmmmm
I vaguely recall something about using plastic to store BD.
I cannot be sure but check it out before you commit.

You might be thinking of using plastic (HDPE) for the reactor drum, which can get soft when heated. As far as storage, they are excellent vessels (provided you use the right ones.)

Here's a brief spec outline for a good plastic storage vessel.....

- HDPE/Plastic drums are excellent for storing BioDiesel. Many HDPE drums are used for food services and environmental services use. I've seen, used and received containers that had held soap, apple juice, cooking oil, Diet Dr. Pepper, vinegar, and Soy Sauce. Once it's rinsed out, an HDPE drum is great for storage.

Most good quality drums are UN rated. For the specific type that you need for good BioDiesel storage, fellow BioDiesel enthusiasts have recommended the following specifications:

Plastic/HDPE drum:
Minimum specficiation of:
- 1H1 (Plastic Drum, closed)
- Y1.0, X1.0, or higher (X or Y designation is for the packing group performance standard code. You want X or Y as the code. The numeric designates the maximum specific gravity of the liquid you are storing. BioDiesel averages .85-.88 for it's specific gravity.)
- 100 (hydrostatic pressure rating in kPa or PSI)

As an example - you'll see a code of: 1H1/X1.8/150/05

This translates out to a closed plastic drum, Packing Group 1, 2 or 3 with a liquid SG maximum of 1.8, 150 PSI, built in 2005.

[Phydeaux88]

It is entirely possible that the comment about plastic drums I remember so vaguely was about using them for processor

Thanks for the specs on drums

[GoCamping]

Wow great info about the drums - thanks guys. I think it will be a hand pump like described above and some 55gal drums. When I had my own reactor setup I found plenty plastic ones available so hopefully that's still the case...

[aaronsteinblock]

The state paid us $3,000 to put a 600gal tank on our property. It was part of the Alternative Fuel Tax Package.