I don't know much about making bio diesel but my cousin has been making it for almost a year now. He came over this morning and had me list his plant on Ebay saying that he can't make it any more since the gov't changed something in the oil and he hasn't been able to find out what additives to add back into it. Anyone know what he might be talking about??

 

Huh?
The only change made was the move to ULSD, required for 2007 and newer trucks.
Since there is virtually no sulpher in BD there is no problem.
BD doesn't require additives except anti gel in very cold climates.

 

Ok, got some more info. From what I'm told is they've been having trouble making bio since the oil they are getting is no trans fat oil. Are they screwing something up or is their something differnet about the oil?

 

No Trans Fat oil is still VO and can be turned into BD.
It sounds like they have a process problem.

Tell him to come to this site and folks will try to help him.

 

Trans fat has nothing to do with making good biodiesel. You can use any vegetable or animal fat and make good fuel. It will vary in characteristics, but it will still be good fuel. I think someone is blowing smoke.

 

If you can use any animal or vegtable fat to make bio diesel is the process in making it the same?

 

Yup
Chemically there is very little difference between animal and vegitable fats (oils).
What difference there is has to do with chain length and saturation, none of which makes any difference when burning it for fuel. It does affect gel/cloud points so it can affect cold weather usability and it can affect long term storability.

 

That's what I was thinking, but like I said I know nothing about making bio.