Can one burn vedgey oil in a yanmar?

[ronnie2005]

Good article, and science refresher. Key point is, and all seem to agree, remove the water in the used oil before you pore it in the tank. By doing so, you lesson the risk for bacteria in the tank and you save the pump. It should be part of the filtering process. I think I might be on to something here. Build a bench filter system to remove all the foreign matter and water from used oil. I see a new task on the horizon.

 

[SkyPup]

Well, you could always just replace your vegged-out fuel injection pump each year when it collaspes from the vegatable oil and change out all the coked up injectors each year, and rebuild the pistons and rings, and change the oil every 20 hours, and change the clogged fuel filter every 10 hours.

Or just purchase ULSD for less than 1/2 the price and run with low maintenance forever! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Darren]

There's a book that came out in 1987 titled "Diesel Technology and Society in Industrial Germany." It was published by the Universtity of Alabama Press. I don't think it was a big seller because it hit the remainder bins at the used book stores quickly. It is a fascinating read about Rudolf Diesel and his invention.

Diesel worked for Linde in France on refrigeration using ammonia. During that period inventors were working on ammonia engines. Diesel was no different. It was during that time that Diesel got the idea for a compression ignition engine. As orginally conceived he was planning on using powdered coal for fuel. Coal was in much greater supply in Germany than oil. His early engines used gasoline and an oil we probably wouldn't consider suitable for fuel today.

In the end Diesel settled on oil in part because of the tax situation in Germany but the discussion on what fuel to use went on for some time. An interesting side note, for those up on the history of beer, is that Adolphus Busch was the one who licensed Diesel's patents for use in the United States.

As far as water in fuel oil, I've suggested many times on this site that folks consider installing a Racor water separator on their tractors. Water can show up in your fuel tank when you least expect it. The topic gets revisited periodically when folks get surprised.

 

[SkyPup]

Try reading this to get a more accurate informed source of knowledge about Rudolph Diesel:

Diesel's Engine: From Conception to 1918
by C. Lyle, Jr. Cummins

It is a great read.

 

[Darren]

Ultra low sulphur diesel, (ULSD) isn't necessarily your friend, Sky.

http://www.mbm.net.au/b100/lsd.html

Note that injection pump failures caused by ULSD aren't covered by warranty.

 

[SkyPup]

Don't worry about it too much, compared to straight veggie oil, ULSD is >100,000,000,000 times more reliable in diesel engines. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wd45]

Darren,

Its too bad so many decisions are based on taxes and artificially imposed circumstances. One of my interest relating to vedgie oil and biodiesel is, can a practical cottage fuel industry or network be started up for OUR own good? Maybe a co-op where you contribute oil bearing crops for a return of fuel. Most people here could grow an acre or so of anything, but it would probably involve custom harvesting.

Love the post and info. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Mike

 

[SkyPup]

Yep, as of December 2004, BioDiesel in North America is still a MAJOR problem for diesels:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/092904biodsl_bosch.pdf



Not a single FIE manufacturer for diesel engines thinks BD in North America is any good either:

http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/FIEM.pdf


The pictures of some of the destructive damages from using biodiesel in diesel engines are quite dramatic:

http://www.novem.nl/default.asp?documentId=138504

 

[Darren]

I'm glad to see the manufacturers are working on that. Apparently Europe is ahead of us but even their standard needs some work. The other thing that is apparent is that only FIE manufacturers are working on the issue. The engine manufactuerers don't seem to have taken a position. I guess if the injection system will handle it, the engine itself will run fine. Some of the issues, glycerin, etc, mentioned in the links are currently addressed by the biodiesel folks.

I think this is a case where the Europeans will eventually define a standard that will benefit everyone. Current businesses in the vegetable oil extraction business are fairly sophisticated in the industrial processes required for normal uses of vegetable oils.

Interesting to note that the vegetable oils have the needed lubricity. I'm not sure how they'll get around the cold weather problem. Even now #2 diesel is a problem below a certain temperature. I suspect vegetable oil would have to be mixed with kerosene, #1 fuel oil, the same as the #2. The best part is that the equipment manufacturers are moving on this. One of the links mentioned the problems they had with ULSD. Newer injection pumps with the upgraded seals shouldn't have a problem. The old stuff with Buna-N seals is going to fail.

From what I've read about vegetable oil extraction, it's more than a simple crush and filtering operation. For that reason, I'm not sure a cottage industry would be feasible. FWIW Electrolux sells a home oil extraction unit. The other possibility that may be pertinent is that there's a huge number of non-mineral oils available.

Some of them like Lavender oil are so expensive no one would burn them for fuel. Others that are much more reasonable in cost may be considered for properties that may make them more suitable for fuel.

I wouldn't be surprised if genetic engineering is used at some point in the future to tailor something for a special production process. Folks are already looking at using GMO stock for fuels because they can't be sold for human consumption in many parts of the world.

 

[dmccarty]

wd45,

Funny that you should ask, Piedmont Biofuels Coop is in my area. The local CC has classes on the subject as well. I don't know anything about them just read an article in the local paper. They are located in my town.

FYI,
Dan