... Can I run a generator using biodiesel fuel?
Can you
do so? Yes.
Would I do
so? Yes.
First,
Biodiesel can be manufactured from vegetable oil it is NOT vegetable oil.
The following applies to properly manufactured biodiesel only.
I would do so
for a generator running prime power or one that has longer
duty cycle. If you are considering biodiesel be sure to also consider
cogeneration. At best a diesel generator
converts 35% of available BTU to electricity and the remainder are emitted as heat.
This heat can be harnessed and used profitably.
Because long
term storage is an issue for biodiesel I would avoid biodiesel for a generator
that is rarely used.
Some manufacturers of diesel generator
engines may void their warranty or may not cover specific components such as
seals, injectors and other components. You may be wise to wait until your
warranty coverage has expired.
There
are many issues involved. Please read on and follow the links at the left of this
page for both pros and cons of powering with biodiesel.
Biodiesel -a more formal definition
Biodiesel fuels are methyl or ethyl esters derived from a broad variety of
renewable sources such as vegetable cooking oil and animal fat. Esters are
oxygenated organic compounds that can be used in compression ignition (diesel) engines
because some of their key properties are comparable to those of diesel fuel.
Biodiesel is produced through a process in which organically derived oils are
combined with alcohol (ethanol or methanol) in the presence of a catalyst to
form ethyl or methyl ester. Biodiesel can be made from soybean or Canola oils,
animal fats, waste vegetable oils or micro algae oils.
Do not confuse biodiesel with biofuels. Biofuels are made from cellulose
biomass resources. Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel and methanol.
A more down-to-earth definition for most of us :
Biodiesel is made from fresh or waste vegetable oils (triglycerides) that are a
renewable energy source. Biodiesel is an environmentally safe, low polluting
fuel which can be used in most diesel internal combustion and turbine engines.
Biodiesel can be mixed with petroleum diesel fuel and stored anywhere petroleum is
stored. Biodiesel is relatively safe and easy to process when conscientiously
approached. Benefits are substantially reduced engine emissions, even with a
blend of 20% Biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel.
When I change to Biodiesel, what else should I keep in mind when I switch
over?
Over time Biodiesel may soften and degrade certain types of
rubber-like and natural rubber compounds used in fuel hoses and system seals
in older engines. Most engines made after 1994-5 will have synthetic
fuel lines and seals and will not suffer from this problem. When using
high percent biodiesel blends be sure that the existing fuel system of
your older engine
does not contain rubber or natural rubber compounds incompatible with Biodiesel.
In general, engine manufacturers
recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with
neat Biodiesel, or they will deteriorate. An indication of deterioration
is that your hoses and seals deteriorate are sticky to the touch and soft.
Biodiesel will clean your
injectors and fuel lines extremely well as it is an excellent solvent. If you
have an old diesel engine, there is a chance that your first tank or two of
Biodiesel will free up much of the accumulated crud that lines your fuel lines. For
first time fuelling you need to be aware that Biodiesel has a solvent effect
which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous
fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially. Be aware
of a loss of power as the fuel filters clog and have spares on hand as a precaution.
Biodiesel has a higher gel
point. 100% Biodiesel, referred to as B100, gets slushy at O°C (32°F). A blend
of 20% Biodiesel, 80% regular diesel, B20, has a gel point of -14°C (7°F). Like
regular diesel, the gel point can be lowered further with additives such as
kerosene, which are blended into winter diesel fuel in cold-weather areas.
The shelf life of biodiesel
most commonly quoted is six months, after which time the fuel should be
re-tested. If you are keeping biodiesel in translucent containers for long
periods, it is a good idea to put a tarpaulin over the container/s to keep the
light out.
How is Biodiesel made?
Biodiesel fuels are produced by a process called transesterification, in which
various oils (triglycerides) are converted into methyl esters through a chemical
reaction with methanol in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium or
potassium hydroxide. The by-products of this chemical reaction are glycerols and
water, both of which are undesirable and need to be removed from the fuel along
with traces of the methanol, unreacted triglycerides and catalyst. Biodiesel
fuels naturally contain oxygen, which must be stabilized to avoid storage
problems.
There
are many recipes and techniques published on the web describing how to make
biodiesel. Essentially the process is one of removing the glycerine from the
vegetable oil and replacing it with alcohol.
Biodiesel LINKS
Making
Biodiesel
http://www.biodiesel.org/
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/
http://www.partsgeek.com/parts/biodiesel_resource_page.html
http://www.webconx.com/making_biodiesel.htm
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/biodiesel.pdf
General Biodiesel
information:
http://www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel/pages/biodiesel1.html
www.boulderbiodiesel.com/biodiesel/index.jsp
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/bubblewashingbiodiesel/
www.enginemanufacturers.org/ admin/library/upload/297.pdf
Other resources and
discussion groups :
http://www.topica.com/lists/straightcookingoilforfuel/
http://www.egroups.com/group/Biodiesel
DISCLAIMER:
This information is provided as a service for your general information to enable
you to ask the pertinent questions of
your fuel distributor. We at Enviroharvest, Power to Go Generators are not
fuel experts familiar with various
fuel types and compositions. We recommend that you discuss your
plans with your local Home Heating Oil / Fuel Oil distributor. You must make
your decisions based solely upon information given to you by them. We recommend using ONLY standard or agricultural grade
or off-road Diesel #2 within your generator set. We assume NO
responsibility or liability resulting from any decision you might make to use
any fuel other than grade Diesel #2 within your diesel generator.
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