Biodiesel and WVO - SVO links thread.

[Joe Marroso]

Originally Posted by John Schroader

Joe, I don't have any words of wisdom here but, like you, am most interested. Am anxious to see what you learn. Something about my makeup prevents me from wanting to buy a storebought centrifuge. I'm sure there's a good way to make one from junkyard parts -- and that's my goal. Hope you learn how and can share that knowlege. Will do the same when I learn.

John,

Check out the refiner on my "junkyard parts" filtration system. I use gravity and an old crock pot to heat a copper flow coil. The treated WVO drips out at about 12-14 gals per 24 hrs. It isn't the time that makes me look for another process, but the pristine quality of centrifuged WVO.

As for a do it yourself centrifuge, even with a salvaged electric motor and a reconfigured power steering pump the setup will need nearly $500 off the shelf parts. I can buy a WVO centrifuge setup, I think, for about $850-$1000. And the new ones need heat, I was thinking of one of those turkey fryers machined to be a transfer tank between the main barrel and the centrifuge. No mickey mouse electric heating coils just reliable propane.

In one Saturday afternoon, a group of enthusiasts could centrifuge a month's fuel.

I know I am going to do this. Not quite sure how.

Joe

[layback40]

While I am not a big fan of WVO, I have often wondered if an old cream/milk centrifuge would work. There should be a few of the old hand operated ones floating around the country not used any more. You could rig a motor up to it. I have seen Alpha Laval ones, they are the cone type. You put the fluid to be centrifuged in the top tank, the clean fluid flows out the bottom, when finished you clean it out.

[John Schroader]

Joe and Layback, Interesting ideas fellows. I am just a little dense as to how the centrifuge works. I think I have the general idea -- heavy stuff slings to the outside of the spinning cylinder. Right? But where does it go then? And what happens when I turn it off - does the heavy stuff fall back into the mix? I really want to make a hillbilly centrifuge. Have read a bit on the internet, but just cannot quite get the details straight in my head. Really would like to look at one - then I'm sure I could make some version of it. The water wash method works for me, but it's messy and doesn't lend itself to cold weater work. Please keep the info coming and I'll catch on eventually.

[rosenfe]

on a related issue i have centerfuged veg oil to give away .if interested pm me im in sf bay area

[Joe Marroso]

Originally Posted by John Schroader

Joe, I don't have any words of wisdom here but, like you, am most interested. Am anxious to see what you learn. Something about my makeup prevents me from wanting to buy a storebought centrifuge. I'm sure there's a good way to make one from junkyard parts -- and that's my goal. Hope you learn how and can share that knowlege. Will do the same when I learn.

Ok John,

Here is the latest:

1) The WVO centrifuge spins at 6k-8k RPM. That precision is out of the reach of the scrapyard mechanic. A professionally milled and assembled centrifuge is a must. The Deiselcraft OC-20 can be purchased for about $250-$300. There are "no-name" centrifuges described as identical to the OC-20 for about $125. More on this later.

2) I am still planning on using an intermediate open tank that is heated by propane (turkey fryer). I cannot see how heating the WVO to >160F will not remove all the displaced water. As for the suspended glycerin, I am just going to continue to change my motor oil and add cetane to the WVO fuel. The chemical process for glycerin removal requires nearly as much work and hazard as making biodeisel. For the record, my 4K miles motor oil shows little sign of polymerization from glycerin and my fuel system is clean as a whistle.

3)The pump and motor assemblies need 90psi. So far, there are many scrapyard choices.

4) The plumbing needs a bypass route so the heated WVO can circulate before it is centrifuged.

5) I can't envision a situation where I would personally need more than 50gals at one refining. If there is a group of WVO-ers, then the amount required will change. The reason I bring this up is that a lot of technology is consumed with absentee or remote refining. That may be a nice ideal but that technology extracts a premium. I will hang out till the job is done.

Joe

[John Schroader]

Thanks Joe, I guess response #1 is reason enough to abandon any ideas of a hillbilly centrifuge. At this time will continue washing and drying my fuel.

[JEBalles]

I read about this company Amyris making diesel from sugar cane. Here's a link:

http://www.energy.ca.gov/2009-ALT-1/documents/2009-09-14_workshop/2009-09-14+15_presentations/Amyris-Garcia_Presentation.pdf

Look at that cloud point!

[Rickdatech]

Hi,

Some may find http://make-biodiesel.org a useful site for learning about making biodiesel. I've been working on it for several years and it's just now getting to the really useful stage.

RickdaTech

[Renntag]

There is a Bill being considered in Virginia to classify WVO as hazardous material thus making it difficult or impossible for us to gather and use in our own vehicles.

Please take a minute to sign this petition even if you are not a resident of Virginia. I am apart of a local Bio-Diesel Co-op that is behind this petition.

Thank you so much for your help.

http://www.petitiononline.com/hb1322/petition-sign.html

[chomptown]

Would a washing machine reach those rpms? My brother was telling me about a local shop that uses washing machines to clean their parts. hah!

[oldsinner111]

Originally Posted by chomptown

Would a washing machine reach those rpms? My brother was telling me about a local shop that uses washing machines to clean their parts. hah!

I've heard too of using rugs in washer to catch the dirt.But really if you have a lathe,real easy to make a bowl.You need more rpm.

[ak49er]

The centrifuges seem to really shine when refining VO into Bio-diesel, but do seem to be troublesome when refining WVO into fuel. There is great information availble on this subject at www.FRYBRID.com.

I have no affiliation other than being a customer and forum user, but this site has alot of information for the taking.

[ygmir]

try "simplecentrifuge.com"......I'm heading up there, when I get my SDL done to get one. Lots of vids and specs on their web page.

[bluebird]

I have been using a Walbro FRB5 which I purchased from Mercedes Source when I bought their kit, I continued to use it when I installed my Frybrid kit (much better product). Unfortunately the Walbro started pumping air and very little WVO. I pulled the pump out and opened it up as much as I could. This must be an old design as it only has a bottom plate which is where the filter screen should be but MS took it out before they sent it out with my kit.
SSOO the question is what types of fuel pumps are you fellow GREASERS utilizing in your systems for pushing the fuel forward? Any information is helpful.
Thank you,

[JEBalles]

I think most of the kit makers also make auxiliary fuel pumps. I'm just using the stock pump and it's been fine.