Is biodiesel realiable fuel?

Question

does it really works? anybody have problems with IRS? i've seen kits out there and i'm a little convince for switching diesel to biodiesel.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Bio-diesel does work, but it's availability is the stickler. If you make your own, can you be sure you will have enough on board for a round trip? Nothing ruins a vacation like running out of fuel, in the middle of nowhere.

IRS? (Internal Revenue Service?) I think you would have more trouble with the ATF (Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms) since you would, in affect, be running a still.

Answer 2

Sure it works, and it's a very simple technology that lends itself to small co-ops and homebrewing.  The chemical process is fairly straightforward, low energy and doable at home.  

Dr. Rudolf Diesel intended that his engine use vegetable oil for fuel.  It doesn't work on modern engines because the fuel injection systems are optimized for the (then) cheaper mineral diesel fuel, which is much thinner (less viscous) at cold temperatures.  So you have two choices.

1. Modify the fuel to make it thinner, or,

2. Modify the car to deal with thicker fuel.

Choice 1 is biodiesel.  You don't have to modify the car.  That's the whole point of brewing biodiesel :)

Choice 2 lets you use veggie oil straight.  It involves heaters to warm the fuel, to make it thin enough to work in the injectors.  This lets you use oil intended for french fry machines, which was $2.59/gal at CostCo last I looked.

You can also use waste oil, i.e. used fry oil a restaurant is throwing out, however aside from viscosity, waste oil also has issues with particulate, acidity and water content.  Treating it is nearly as hard as brewing biodiesel.

As far as the IRS,

a) you need to pay road tax on the dollar value of any fuel you use in a vehicle on the highway.  

b) there are tax credits for use of biofuels.

I believe they cancel each other out, or are a bit in your favor.

Answer 3

Biodiesel is a new technology that ,like ethanol, is still in the early stages of development.  Right now with Willy Nelsen a some other bands using it on their tour buses it is high on the environmental radar screen. I know that it is still hard to get only special companies carry it so it may not be available everywhere. I think that it is the next thing in diesel technology but I also like the ability to use old Fries Oil from McDonald's as a diesel fuel also.

I am pushing for new diesel alternative where ever I can. As for the government I would get all my ducks in a row so learn the laws before you do it anything contact Willie Nelson's company I know that it has a web site and he is the leader at this time.

Answer 4

Most diesel engines need no conversion to run on bio diesel.  If you want to run straight veggie oil, then you need a conversion.  Here in Oregon, B99 (99% bio diesel) is available at many gas stations.  Also, you can always use plain old diesel if there is no bio diesel available where you are.  My friends who use bio diesel use 2001 and newer VW TDI's.  The Gulf TDI, the Jetta TDI, etc.  They need no conversion.  Older Mercedes are also popular.

Answer 5

Yes.

Answer 6

It definitely works and is reliable.  However, for the time being, it is a little more expensive than plain diesel if you were to buy it.  It is a worth while endeavor to pursue on your own.  Some private individuals have set up their own biodiesel processes in their garages to make their own fuel and when doing it that way, it becomes a cheap source of fuel that smells like french fries when it burns.

Can't say there are problems with the IRS.  You may want to write Willy Nelson for this answer.  

Wish I could hear something once you decide to see how things work out.