grow your own fuel

frothy top · 27 June 2007, 18:04

Does any one know if it is possible to make diesel from rapeseed at home and would it be safe to use in an inboard diesel ??

Nos4r2 · 27 June 2007, 18:07

I doubt it'd be economical unless you owned several acres.

Google 'making biodiesel' and you'll find more than enough info.

Sarah G · 27 June 2007, 18:24

Top gear did a whole programme on growing and making it yourself. I'll look it out over the weekend and see what they did. I remember them crashing very expensive tractors though!

codprawn · 27 June 2007, 20:19

Yes it can be done at home. Quite easily. Of course to use it legally in your car or soon even in your boat you have to give the government 27p per litre!!!

The only way it's viable is if you can get the waste oil for nothing. Not easy - the price is going through the roof - now it's about 25p -30p per litre for waste oil.

I USED to think biofuels were the way to go - until I realised the real harm they are doing to this world of ours. Vast tracts of Indonesian rainforest are being cleared to grow palm oil for biofuel. They reckon Orangutans and other forest species will be wiped out in about 3 years if it carries on.

And what good does it REALLY do? Appease the greens thats all.

Sarah G · 27 June 2007, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I USED to think biofuels were the way to go - until I realised the real harm they are doing to this world of ours.

I know I'm tired but the first time I read this I thought you said you used to drink biofuels! I need to go to bed ....

codprawn · 27 June 2007, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah G

I know I'm tired but the first time I read this I thought you said you used to drink biofuels! I need to go to bed ....

I think therefore I drink - goodnight!!!

Biggles · 27 June 2007, 20:39

I am growing my own fuel.

How long does it take to get a tree to turn in to oil ?

Only 300 Million years to go.

Neil Harvey · 27 June 2007, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Yes it can be done at home. Quite easily. Of course to use it legally in your car or soon even in your boat you have to give the government 27p per litre!!!

There have been changes to the rules recently, although it's still not clear, but if you used to be registered to pay the tax to run your car on a mix of veg oil and diesel, you no longer have to pay this tax if you use less than 2500l of biodiesel a year, those who used to be registered becasue they used a veg oil and diesel mix, are being de-registered.
But I'm no expert, and it's still not 100% clear.

Oogs · 27 June 2007, 21:54

Yep, new legislation allows "Home Brewers" to produce & use 2500L per year without any payment in tax or duty!
I've been producing Bio for over 12 months at a cost of 11p per litre

.
The money I've saved in road fuel is easily converted to petrol to fuel 2 thirsty outboards

.
It really is a simple safe process & many pubs & restaurants are really happy to give you their used oil.

frothy top · 27 June 2007, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oogs

Yep, new legislation allows "Home Brewers" to produce & use 2500L per year without any payment in tax or duty!
I've been producing Bio for over 12 months at a cost of 11p per litre

.
The money I've saved in road fuel is easily converted to petrol to fuel 2 thirsty outboards

.
It really is a simple safe process & many pubs & restaurants are really happy to give you their used oil.

How many mpg do u get with that compared to normal diesel??

Oogs · 27 June 2007, 22:07

I'm not sure on MPG as I always have a full tank & tend to be heavier right foot at 11p!
I would say that I estimate a 10% loss of power in comparison to Dino Diesel.
I'm running a 1998 Xantia est 1.9 TD intercooled.
The 1.9 XUD engine loves the stuff... less "knock" when warm, starts better etc. I change fuel & oil filters at 6000m, done 18000m on 100% bio.
The Xantia makes an excellent tow car.

Biggles · 27 June 2007, 22:10

Why aren't more of us doing this. Sounds like an excellent idea.

frothy top · 27 June 2007, 22:17

I think i might just have to try this out sometime. Thats a huge saving compared to about 93p a litre

Oogs · 27 June 2007, 22:21

It really is very easy, I'm in it with my mate who I own the boats with, cost £2000 to build the reactor & wash system.... I wouldn't recommend water washing... invest in the "Amberlite" beads dry washing system, thats where your investment goes..... trust me it pays dividends

.
Our system produces 200L at each reaction although the reactor could process 400L at no extra cost in time.

Neil Harvey · 27 June 2007, 22:21

cos, a) you have to have a diesel car, b)the tax has only just been given an exemption for home brewers c) to make proper biodiesel, you have to use chemicals etc and process it, clean it if using used veggie oil, etc.
And if you use straight veg oil fromt he bottle, you still have to mix with diesel (not all fuel pumps accept it that well), or convert to a two tank system whereby you start and finish on normal diesle and only run on veggie when engine is warm, or you have to preheat the oil.

but, better ROI than LPG conversions, and veg oil easier to get hold of!

Oogs · 27 June 2007, 22:31

Neil, SVO (straight veg oil) is not the answer... WVO (waste veg oil) is.
chemicals consist on Caustic Soda & Methanol.... there are no modifications required to the engine... Bio is a subsitute for diesel where as veg oil is an alternative fuel & requires modifications. You cannot run an engine on veg oil as the viscosity is lower & requires heat, it also plasticises & will coat the fuel system if not arranged properly, don't try it!

frothy top · 27 June 2007, 22:40

so do you just filter the oil and put it in the tank or is the more to it than this?

Neil Harvey · 27 June 2007, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oogs

Neil, SVO (straight veg oil) is not the answer... WVO (waste veg oil) is.
chemicals consist on Caustic Soda & Methanol.... there are no modifications required to the engine...

OK, but there is the hassle factor and the use of chemicals in the process and the need to have somewhere to put the processing equipment, not easy for some

[/QUOTE]Bio is a subsitute for diesel where as veg oil is an alternative fuel & requires modifications. You cannot run an engine on veg oil as the viscosity is lower & requires heat, it also plasticises & will coat the fuel system if not arranged properly, don't try it! [/QUOTE]

Agreed, most cars cannot just run on veggie oil, that's the point I was trying to make. But, many people do run cars like the Hilux Surf on a mix of diesel and SVO, varying the ratio depending on weather temperatures without problem. Personally I have never tried it and am not advising that anyone should, merely pointing out it can be done with some cars and careful consideration. I also mentioned the other option of preheating the oil - another conversion alternative.

I'm not saying any one way is the best and I ahve not tried any of the. But, Biggles was asking why more people are not doing it, I was merely trying to point out it's not that easy!

Neil Harvey · 27 June 2007, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by frothy top

so do you just filter the oil and put it in the tank or is the more to it than this?

No, you have to process it. Google making Biodiesel, there's lots of info on the net.

There is also lots of info here:-
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ad.php?t=15893
along with discussion on what Surf owners are doing with SVO and WVO

Oogs · 27 June 2007, 22:52

Its all relative, to make bio requires a a little time, small space, power supply & in my case a bottle of vino!
I too have a friend who modified his landy 300tdi to run on SVO... he now fills the main tank with filtered WVO fron the Thai restuarant & the extra small tank on bio, he has to switch between tanks to start & back again a mile befor home... seems like too much trouble to me!
In my view I get enjoyment producing the fuel... Wed night is "Bio night", a night off from the wife, discussions about boating a few glasses of shiraz & 200L fuel.