Homeade Biodiesel
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 126
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Homeade Biodiesel
Hey guys,
My family farms and all of us drive powerstrokes. Between the tractors, combines, backhoes, and trucks fuel is getting expensive. I saw a website (www.extremebiodiesel.com) where you buy an extractor/kit ($3400 for the extractor) and make your own biodiesel. They claim you can make one gallon of biodiesel for $0.70 vs. $3.00 at the pumps. Also claim you can make 100 gallons in 12 hrs.
I know all the advantages of biodiesel. Longevity, better lubricity, more milage, the list seems endless. We were seriously thinking of starting to make our own.
Anyway, just wondering if you guys make any yourself. Is it complicated? Is there a better place to purchase kits/extractors? Other thoughs and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
My family farms and all of us drive powerstrokes. Between the tractors, combines, backhoes, and trucks fuel is getting expensive. I saw a website (www.extremebiodiesel.com) where you buy an extractor/kit ($3400 for the extractor) and make your own biodiesel. They claim you can make one gallon of biodiesel for $0.70 vs. $3.00 at the pumps. Also claim you can make 100 gallons in 12 hrs.
I know all the advantages of biodiesel. Longevity, better lubricity, more milage, the list seems endless. We were seriously thinking of starting to make our own.
Anyway, just wondering if you guys make any yourself. Is it complicated? Is there a better place to purchase kits/extractors? Other thoughs and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
I can't wait for an answer to this thread. I have a CAT powered motor home that I can hardly afford to drive anymore. If anyone in the Charlotte, NC area (Barry) would be interested we could go into some kind of partnership. There ain't no way I could afford that alone, but if 3 or 4 of us could form a consortium of some kind it would be feasible for all of us.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 1
From: Coal Valley, Illinois
There is good info here. http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/ . I would think about making your own setup, it's much cheaper! I'm thinking about it myself when I get some time, maybe this winter. 
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,438
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From: New Hampshire
Looks like the Extractor is going to Extract some cash from you. You can piece together all the stuff needed to make your own for under $600. I highly recommend visiting the bio diesel forum here at FTE and the one at BITOG.
Also check out all the really good info at www.biodiesel.org
Many folks are making their own for under $1.00/gal as a hobby. Find enough restaurants to supply u with WVO and you'll be cooking.
U can also run oil furnaces on bio!
Nut
Also check out all the really good info at www.biodiesel.org
Many folks are making their own for under $1.00/gal as a hobby. Find enough restaurants to supply u with WVO and you'll be cooking.
U can also run oil furnaces on bio!
Nut
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Mid Michigan
The mentioned extreme biodiesel is supposed to be a great system. I too have read about using a system such as that. The nice thing about extreme is that the fule can be put directly into your tank once processed and some other can not. I would like to lay down the cash but my truck is my secondary transportation and I dont think it worth it for me. If I used it more I would SERIOUSLY consider their system.
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Just a little bit more than real curious here. If you are a member, or know someone that is brewing their own fuel please chime in with comments, good or bad. I gotta get on this bandwagon.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
I made 100 gallons today
If you are in the farming business you can find the materials to make a reator and wash tank far less that $3400 (that is a rip off) Find an old bulk tank that has the pumps and stuff and make your own. It takes time there are guys braggin all around about how fast they can make fuesl but quality takes some time. Not alot but couple minutes a day over a week
time is money
I've got time ..............and it saves me money
If you are in the farming business you can find the materials to make a reator and wash tank far less that $3400 (that is a rip off) Find an old bulk tank that has the pumps and stuff and make your own. It takes time there are guys braggin all around about how fast they can make fuesl but quality takes some time. Not alot but couple minutes a day over a week
time is money
I've got time ..............and it saves me money
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga
Barrels and containers are easy to come by. Methanol is easy to find at any chemical supply or race store. Do not get ripped off on that. Potassium is what you need to substitute instead of Sodium Hydroxide. Its one more pound of product but the by product will benefit the farm way way gooder. Here is your formula. 25 gallons of oil heat to 150. Seperatle, mix 5 gallons of methanol and 3 lb of Potassium for 1/2 hour or so. DO NOT BREATH FUMES AND USE NON POINTS OR NO SPARK MOTORS FOR MIXING. Add to oil and mix for hour. Pump to holding tank and settle overnight or longer, drain glycerin. Next take the glycerin and put in container of your choice and install a heating element. Run this wide open and capture your methanol back out. Using Potassium makes the process easier and you can dump the by product in the farm irrigation or feed to livestock at a percentage to hay. Ask Fabman aka Don in our bio area for the specifics. He has done all the research and Ive seen his place. His brain works overtime.
Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
As others have already said, you can be cooking your own for a LOT less than 3400.00 . I'm in the process of getting materials together now. Have about 50 gals of wvo in the garage now. Probably start in late fall
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Phx, AZ
I did not know anyone making their own bio 2 years ago so I spent the cash and bought a set up much like the extreme. I have been brewing my own for almost two years now. I run it in two 7.3L's. I have managed to get my costs down to about .48 cents a gallon. I really am happy with it. Go to the alt fuels forum and read much more