ATTN BioDiesel Experts...
 

I was in a discussion in the 7.3 forum about BD and I started wondering what the safe temps are for running the various blends. Now that we're (FINALLY!!) seeing cooler temps here in North Texas, I'm curious if I can run B100 with some kind of anti-gel like DK in the white bottle, or should I stay at B20 or lower? I've "heard" that B100 can start to gel a lot sooner than dino (like in the 40s or 50s), so I'm curious. Also, is there a significant difference between soy BD & corn BD regarding gel temps?

Thanks for any insight!!

B100 will gel sooner. I am currently seeing temps in the high 30s low 40s in the morning here now. I have had no issues so far. I am getting ready to start blending with Kero. I have a bunch of mason jars that will hold different blends so I can see how the temps effect them. How low the bio can go before it clouds is depends on what stock it is made from. I am using soy and canola (2 of the best to start with). From what I have heard the treatments don't work as well with bio.

Kevin

Thanks for the reply, Kevin. So I should be good to go here in North Texas for a while on B100, at least for a while. We rarely get below that in the winter, but do occasionally. Last night was low 40s -- coldest since before Spring.

I see you're a ham -- me too. Call is N3JI.

Thanks again!

BUMP... Anyone else with some inputs here??

Sorry but corn is used for ethanol which is used in gasoline.
You will be safe at the B20 level until +32 degrees unless you use an antigell additive. One way to test it is just like n2ZPY says. mason jars at different temps in the frig. Don't know what your wife would say, but mine. Don't want to think of it.

Blend to B80 and I doubt you'll ever have a problem in Tejas. Even assuming the "animal fat" bio that seems to be prevalent down here.

i live close to the beach in southern california so run b100 all the time no problem. last winter i drove to the local mountains to go snowboarding and at night it was in the mid 30's truck started up fine on the soy b100. i know i was pushing the limits and it could have started to cloud/gel so this year i might pump in a little diesel before i go up the mountain just to be safe.

We have finally had a good cold snap so I have some figures to throw out. I have a jar of B100 that was processed 2 weekends ago and washed/dried this past weekend. Yesterday I woke up and the temp was 22*F The jar was about 50%/50%......solid on the bottom and sluggish but still flowing on the top. This morning I am at 25*F and the whole jar is clouded but still liquid. Time to start cutting with some #1. I had no troubles yesterday morning as I have the rear tank full of B100 and the front is about B50 with #2 mixed at this point.

Kevin

Here ia a link to a place I found: http://www.technol.com/index.html
looks like they will have what you need. Just bought a quart form a local dist here. I will let you know how it works starting to get close to 32deg at night here so time to start dosin my fuel