Home brewed B100
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Concord NC
Home brewed B100
are any of you guys still making your own biodiesel? I used to make 200-300 gallons a week when diesel was so expensive but it got where petro was cheaper than my time. Anyhow I was kicking around the idea of firing up my old bio processor and was wondering what the latest and greatest ideas are. Like I said it’s been 8-10 years since I cooked my last batch.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
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From: Seattle
Yep. A bit over 10 years now, averaging 50-100 gallons per month. Just topped off my PSD this morning. I also run it in my daily driver, a '98 Mercedes E300 Turbodiesel.
I get high quality used canola oil from a restaurant that doesn't run their oil too long. Titration's usually between .5 and .75. I use KOH, process single stage, and water wash.
I get high quality used canola oil from a restaurant that doesn't run their oil too long. Titration's usually between .5 and .75. I use KOH, process single stage, and water wash.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Concord NC
How do you like the potassium hydroxide ? Is it hot enough to get it done at the typical percentage or do you have to use more? I never did try it , I just always used the sodium
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
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From: Seattle
Works for me. It uses a bit more. In a 50 gallon batch, I average 1400-1500 grams. It dissolves way quicker than the NaoH, Plus, the glycerol stays fluid. I use that to pre-treat the WVO. It draws out any excess moisture and I am able to recover some of the methanol that way.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Concord NC
Works for me. It uses a bit more. In a 50 gallon batch, I average 1400-1500 grams. It dissolves way quicker than the NaoH, Plus, the glycerol stays fluid. I use that to pre-treat the WVO. It draws out any excess moisture and I am able to recover some of the methanol that way.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
ah cool. Yeah I knew it required more and it dissolved easier. Is the quality of the fuel as good or better than the NaoH? I actually loved using the glycerol as a herbicide around the farm. It works great for clearing fences and is the only thing I’ve ever found that will kill dead the southern scurge better known as kudzu. LoL
But as far as the glycerol goes, de-methed KOH glycerol is quickly biodegradable and is actually beneficial to plants. In fact, there's a part of my gravel driveway where I spread some of it to keep dust down, weeds are growing profusely. Is NaoH glycerol that toxic? That, I was unaware of.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Concord NC
Yes the NoaH is a really good weed killer but I’m not sure of its toxicity. When I was producing several hundred gallons of fuel a week I was selling the glycerol to vinyl window company in Winston Salem that used it to heat and bend vinyl window frames. They told me that it worked really well because of the very high boiling point.
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