Biofuels

Schultz · Apr 18, 2006

I was talking to the oil company that delivers my fuel oil and found out the federal subsidy for bio-diesel has been extended to 2008. Which is nice because it makes b99 cheaper than #2 diesel by about $.30/gal. I just ordered a fill up of b99 for my home heating fuel oil tank, which I also use for my Kubota.

Now that I've run b20 for a season in my furnace I'm sold. I opened the clean outs which would be full of sulfur fallout after a winter of heating and there was nothing to clean. I was worried about clogging/gelling an old system, but that didn't happen. However we did notice the furnace was a little louder once we got into the cold months. I attribute this to the lower viscosity of b20 with an outside tank. Delavan oil nozzles have a manual talking about lower viscosity makes for larger atomization droplets and a louder rumbling furnace. I was able to fix the rumbling furnace and make it quieter than before. I added 6' of copper tubing that I wound in in 4" x 6" coil to warm the oil before the nozzle, reduced the nozzle from .85 to .65 g/hr and upped the pump pressure from 110psi to 125psi. Now I'm thinking of moving the tank inside to the fruit cellar so I can run b50 or higher.
If you want to tune your furnace the nozzle the information at Delavan's site was indispensable. They have a manual on nozzle selection and tuning. http://www.delavaninc.com/doc_and_lit.htm

While running the bx on b20 this winter I never had an gelling or start up problems. I've been running it on B20-b99 in the summer.

Go biodiesel!

mattn · Apr 20, 2006

Yessir!

Running B80 in a Duramax, two TDI's and the Kubota.

Once you use it, you wont want to go back to that nasty imported stuff.

NIXON · Apr 20, 2006

As I understand it, Biodiesel tends to act as a solvent cleaning the fuel system. Would going to say B2,or B5 cause the filters on my vehicles to be clogged with the junk that the Bio diesel breaks free in the fuel system ? Thanks, John

hudr · Apr 20, 2006

There are so many variables in that question. How old is the vehicle(this also pertains to type of rubber used in fuel lines)? Do you use any fuel supplements regularly? IF so, what type?
If I were to swap to Biodiesel today, I would buy a couple of filters and keep them behind the seat of the truck just in case. Also, at that low a "dosage" of biofuel I don't THINK you would have a problem, but that is my OPINION. And you know what kind of trouble those two words can cause.

NIXON · Apr 20, 2006

( There are so many variables in that question. How old is the vehicle(this also pertains to type of rubber used in fuel lines)? Do you use any fuel supplements regularly? IF so, what type?
)
Hudr, thanks !
Sorry for the vague question. The vehicles are an 03 f250 with around 40k miles , an 05 CRD with around 18k miles , and a Kub. l3130 with 150 ,or so hrs .
Yes, I do use a fuel supplement . Stanadyne performance formula .

michigandon · Apr 20, 2006

Hiya Schultz!

I'm going to assume that "the oil company that delivers your fuel oil" is none other than good ol' G.E. Wacker in Manchester. I know they sell nothing but the finest quality product no matter what it is. They also have a lot of experience in the handling and distribution of bio. I have ran their B20 in my Jetta TDI since I got it a few months ago, and also used it in my Mercedes 240D before I parted it out, and also used their B20 and B99 in my motorhome last year. All have yielded good results as well as nice smelling exhaust. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've been anxiously waiting for them to re-open their retail B99 pump for the summer. Want to get some for my recently acquired YM1510. It was delivered with about 1/4 tank of red high-sulfur off road D2 in it, and it's gotta be the nastiest, smelliest fuel and exhaust I've been around in over ten years. YECCH!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Finally, an alternative fuel that I actually have some faith in!
It's the major reason why I'm trying to phase out gasoline power in my household as much as possible. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

LBrown59 · Apr 20, 2006

Now I'm thinking of moving the tank inside to the fruit cellar
[[[[[[[ [[[[[[[
& create a fire hazzard.

MikePA · Apr 20, 2006

Now I'm thinking of moving the tank inside to the fruit cellar & create a fire hazzard. 
What? There's nothing unusual or hazardous about having a fuel oil tank inside, assuming it's installed correctly, i.e., outside fill and outside vent.

arthr31 · Apr 21, 2006

No fire hazard.

* Oil will not burn unless heated to 140°
• Fuel oil is non-explosive
• Risk of carbon monoxide exposure is lower for fuel oil than
natural gas
• When an oil burner goes out of adjustment, fuel oil is safer
than gaseous fuels because SMOKE is generated BEFORE
carbon monoxide is released

oil basically has to be either compressed or atomized to a fine spray to become combustible...

cowboydoc · Apr 21, 2006

We've been using biodiesel for years now in old and new tractors. NEVER had one single clogged filter on old and new tractors. Just maintain according to your manual and you will be just fine.