Biodiesel and WVO - SVO links thread.

[John Schroader]

Got the power steering pump setup running. Generates well over 100 psi. I re-ran the first batch at 80 psi and got a bit of crud in the centrifuge. Thinking it might have come from the bottom of the pump rather than from the previously centrifuged bio. Next batch will tell. The power steering pump seems to labor my 1/2 hp motor a bit. Motor runs smoothly but gets too warm (180 degrees F on 120v and 160 degrees F on 240v). Gonna use an old 1 hp. motor that I have soon as I get around to it. So far I can't see that the centifuge removes much water, but it surely is death on particles. Soon will run a batch of unwashed bio through it. The bio that I had already washed and dried was so clean that the centrifuge was of little use. Mostly just working the kinks out of the system at this point.

[Joe Marroso]

Originally Posted by John Schroader

Got the power steering pump setup running. Generates well over 100 psi. I re-ran the first batch at 80 psi and got a bit of crud in the centrifuge. Thinking it might have come from the bottom of the pump rather than from the previously centrifuged bio. Next batch will tell. The power steering pump seems to labor my 1/2 hp motor a bit. Motor runs smoothly but gets too warm (180 degrees F on 120v and 160 degrees F on 240v). Gonna use an old 1 hp. motor that I have soon as I get around to it. So far I can't see that the centifuge removes much water, but it surely is death on particles. Soon will run a batch of unwashed bio through it. The bio that I had already washed and dried was so clean that the centrifuge was of little use. Mostly just working the kinks out of the system at this point.

John,

Before you bust your arse, have you tried changing the drive motor pulley to achieve a higher spindle ratio?

Joe Marroso

[John Schroader]

Joe, that makes a lot of good sense. I have a 2.5" on the motor and a 5" one the pump. May swap them around. In order to stay within the strict guidelines of the 'Jed Clampett Hillybilly Engineer Club' I must keep the cost somewhere near zero. I have a spare motor and those two pulleys. Gonna try to make that work before spending $ and risking probation from the club. Seriously, gonna put an amp clamp on the motor tonight and see just how hard it's really working. Will post results.

[John Schroader]

[QUOTE=John Schroader;2530718]Joe, that makes a lot of good sense. I have a 2.5" on the motor and a 5" one the pump. May swap them around.

Wait a minute --- that didn't make any sense. More like a Jethro Bodine move. May actually purchase a larger pulley for the pump.

[Renntag]

I have just secured a p/s pump from the salvage yard. I am in search of a suitable electric motor to provide motivation. I have 2 centrifuges. One I use to polish WVO, the other I plan to polish motor oil. I have been using my CF to polish WVO for 5 years. It removes water and all sorts of nasty gunk. The water will either evaporate or hang in the bowl of the fuge.

[zeke]

Originally Posted by BiodieselMB

Austin Biofuels is selling biodiesel to be blended in San Antonio at 4 Petro Pantrys. I have not been there but I assume that it is a B20 blend.

With the USLD we have now, biodiesel is nessasary for the lubricity.

At 20% bio you shouldn't worry about the filter getting clogged or gelling in the cold. The car will be quieter and smell better and smoke less.

Cheers.

Sad to say that this never really happened, AND due to congressional inaction, our local biodiesel refiner (made it from recycled restaurant grease) folded this month.

No Biodiesel in SA unless you make your own

sigh - guess I have a new project to undertake.

[Joe Marroso]

Originally Posted by John Schroader

Joe, that makes a lot of good sense. I have a 2.5" on the motor and a 5" one the pump. May swap them around. In order to stay within the strict guidelines of the 'Jed Clampett Hillybilly Engineer Club' I must keep the cost somewhere near zero. I have a spare motor and those two pulleys. Gonna try to make that work before spending $ and risking probation from the club. Seriously, gonna put an amp clamp on the motor tonight and see just how hard it's really working. Will post results.

John,

"near zero?" You have a 1hp motor hanging around? I don't know how I would find one for less than $100. How much was the power steering pump?

Keep pluggin'
Joe Marroso

[John Schroader]

All free. Power steering pumps are quite common on junked auto engines. I saved the 1 hp. motor from an old table saw I used for decades. Jed Clampett would be proud.

[Renntag]

Check recycling yards, perhaps at the county dump, check craigslist for a suitable electric motor in a defunct appliance of some sort (like a table saw).

My search is on.

[Joe Marroso]

Originally Posted by John Schroader

All free. Power steering pumps are quite common on junked auto engines. I saved the 1 hp. motor from an old table saw I used for decades. Jed Clampett would be proud.

Yes John,

The year and model of your power steering pump, please. You know there are guys who think most power steering pumps are ill suited for this job? I disagree. If you have found one that delivers 100psi, I want that very unit. Solid information removes one more variable.

I am pullin' for ya.

Joe Marroso

[Joe Marroso]

Originally Posted by Renntag

Check recycling yards, perhaps at the county dump, check craigslist for a suitable electric motor in a defunct appliance of some sort (like a table saw).

My search is on.

Renntag,

Good one on that Craig's List angle. But, you know, I can get a 1/2 hp motor at Harbor Freight for $90. The pump is going to cost me $25 at Nevada Pic A Part plus some ass busting, which is an important commodity @64yo and 120F. Belts and pulleys got to add another $25. If the setup ultimately requires 1hp then I need to add another $50.

That gear pump from Rich's setup looks really good. If the scrap setup ends up costing me >$150, I will go for a "store bought" unit.

In your experience, does wvo centrifuged @80psi look better than wvo centrifuged @40psi?

Thanks for the help.

Joe Marroso

[John Schroader]

I did check the current draw of the 1/2 hp motor and it was running at listed current. Therefore, I think the heat generated possibly had to do with poor ventilation rather than overload (it's a farm duty motor and probably was made to be externally ventilated). Have yet to install the 1 hp. saw motor. Again, I am using what is laying around (I am an electrical instuctor and have lots of salvaged motors). As for the ps pump, it is from some sort of a Chysler product. One of our automotive teachers pulled it from a scrap engine and gave it to me. Here in KY junk cars are considered yard art and are plentiful. Had pulleys and belts from surplus motors. If I had to buy all this stuff new, I would probably go with a store bought pump. Soon as I get a few projects that are screaming to be finished I will get back on this project. It's bush hogging time and my tractor radiator layed down on me. First things first.

[Joe Marroso]

Originally Posted by John Schroader

I did check the current draw of the 1/2 hp motor and it was running at listed current. Therefore, I think the heat generated possibly had to do with poor ventilation rather than overload (it's a farm duty motor and probably was made to be externally ventilated). Have yet to install the 1 hp. saw motor. Again, I am using what is laying around (I am an electrical instuctor and have lots of salvaged motors). As for the ps pump, it is from some sort of a Chysler product. One of our automotive teachers pulled it from a scrap engine and gave it to me. Here in KY junk cars are considered yard art and are plentiful. Had pulleys and belts from surplus motors. If I had to buy all this stuff new, I would probably go with a store bought pump. Soon as I get a few projects that are screaming to be finished I will get back on this project. It's bush hogging time and my tractor radiator layed down on me. First things first.

Ok John,

We have a Chrysler-type power steering pump and a 1/2hp motor combination that can provide 100psi, within electrical specifications; if properly ventilated.

Bravo!

A little more detail would be nice. The pulley sizes and if they use keyways is some information needed before starting.

I am intrigued. Have you compared any more batches of wvo? Is 100psi fuel more polished than 40psi? Is it worth it to upgrade from my cheapie pump assembly?

Good luck with the radiator.

Joe Marroso

[John Schroader]

Sadly I haven't had much time to upgrade the system. Ran a batch of bio a few days back and centrifuged it without first washing. Put an external fan on the 1/2 hp motor and it ran cool. This, plus the fact that the motor never did draw more than rated amps leads me to believe that 1/2 hp is adequate. This is farm duty motor and has very little ventilation (probably to keep down dust or fibers inside fan). Used V - groove pulleys, rather than the more modern ribbed type found in the serpentine belt type auto engines. 2" pulley on drive end and 6" on pump end. At a motor speed of 1725 rpm (4 pole) I think that should give a pump speed of 575 rpm. On this last batch (unwashed bio) the pump maintained 100 psi. This was plenty, but on previous batches it was capable of higher pressure. I only ran it for about 30 min on a 10 gallon batch. I am not altogether certain what the cause of less pressure potential was. 100 psi is fine, but the fact that the previous batch had more pressure opens the door to more pondering. As for the cleanliness of the bio, it looked a bit cleaner than pre-centrifuged but not as good as the washed bio from previous batches. I removed very little crud from the centrifuge. All this to say --- there is still lots more investigation needed before I shout and dance in jubilation. Please keep me posted of any revelations that you folks might have. Will try to post pictures before long.

[jim16671836]

I am going to MA from IN sunday or monday. Looking for some filtered veggie Oil. I am more than willing to trade parts... Looking for 20-50 gallons. Going to NC then MD them MA.. Would love to pick up the Oil between NC and MA or MA-NY-PA areas. thanks Jim