Making biodiesel, anything to watch out for? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300SD81 · #1 03-03-2007, 04:39 PM

Making my first batch of biodiesel right now. Other than leaking fuel lines, is there anything else to watch out for when I run it? Will all the IP seals hold up?

79300sdtd · #2 03-03-2007, 04:46 PM

how much are you planning on making?

BioPOWER · #3 03-03-2007, 05:44 PM

You'll definitely wanna put some new lines in if you're running it in your 300SD...over time they will fail. IP seals should hold up. Make sure you keep a few extra fuel filters on hand because they WILL clog up with crap from your fuel tank; my E300 did it so I'm guessing your (much older) 300SD should too. When initially running BD, on both my E300 and Excursion, I noticed a spike in fuel economy, followed by a drop back to normal MPG's...

How are you making your biodiesel? Did you (like me) buy a processor, or did you make your own?

My advice when making the BD is: 1. Make sure you get your titration right; 2. Do a good water wash or make a filter setup on the output hose; and 3. (If using a water wash) be careful of EMULSIONS! The few times it happened to me it took a day or two to settle out, putting back my production schedule.

Viel Glück!

300SD81 · #4 03-03-2007, 06:11 PM

I'm usng my own home made processor. Its a 55 gallon open top (with lid) drum, with some fittings drilled and screwed in. Mostly copper pipe plumbing. I make 100L at a time, don't plan on water washing, too much work when I can use the GL 1 day ( http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/719605551/m/9721044051 ). I guess I'll need to go buy some more filters before I pump it in..

mespe · #5 03-03-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

Making my first batch of biodiesel right now. Other than leaking fuel lines, is there anything else to watch out for when I run it? Will all the IP seals hold up?

Yes Be very very careful with the sodium methoxide, it is very caustic and not good for your hands, eyes, etc.

Also the methanol isn't too pleasant either.

When you get separation, the guey stuff at the bottom of the biodiesel processor, well KEEP IT AWAY FROM FERTILIZER.
that is all

BioPOWER · #6 03-03-2007, 06:30 PM

That's a pretty nice setup, mine only made 40gal per batch. How (where) are you mixing the methanol/lye? My processor has a seperate funnel-drum for mixing it; just put the stuff in, flip a few valves, and hit the pump and it mixes the oil and catalyst.

My filter setup has two or three filters in series on the pressure side of the pump (output line)..one or two small-particle diesel filters and a water seperator...I can go out and get the specifics if you would like.

BioPOWER · #7 03-03-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

When you get separation, the guey stuff at the bottom of the biodiesel processor, well KEEP IT AWAY FROM FERTILIZER.
that is all

Can you have some "fun" with it??

I still have a little bit sitting around.....

300SD81 · #8 03-03-2007, 06:34 PM

I mix it manually in a 5 gallon boat gas tank, and it has a fitting on it that connects right up to the plumbing to suck it in. Takes forever to mix tho... I have a recirculating bag filter setup for the 1 day method, and a final 1micron bag filter into the storage tank. When I find some flexable hose that stands up to biodisesl and pressure cheap, I'll connect up the gas station nozzle I bought off ebay

#9 03-03-2007, 06:59 PM

Hi I know I'm new and just incase you don’t know. Last week end I went to a meeting all about the pro's and con's between Boi D, and SVO. Apparently the bio diesel kills the alga so it all brakes loose. The speaker warned everyone to completely wash out there fuel tanks with a special enzyme that will kill and help remove all the alga in the tank. Other wise it will quickly clog your filters. He said its best to remove the tank and keep blasting it out until it runs clean. Other wise you'll go though a lot of filters at 15.00 or more a pop. It was suggested by a mechanic at the meeting that you buy a clear water filter with filters that only cost about 3 to 4 $ a piece and splice that in using reducer fittings to filter out the dead alga. Hope this helps

Hawaii!

Quinn8it · #10 03-03-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioPOWER

How are you making your biodiesel? Did you (like me) buy a processor, or did you make your own?

what processor did you buy? Are you happy with it/do you recommend it? Thanks..

BioPOWER · #11 03-03-2007, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinn8it

what processor did you buy? Are you happy with it/do you recommend it? Thanks..

I bought the Biodiesel Solutions "Fuel Meister" for about $3k.
http://www.fuelmeister.com/
I see they now have a "Fuel Meister II" which only has one tank (or a dual-tank setup), whereas mine has one 40gal main tank and a smaller 10gal mixing tank. Otherwise the concept is the same.

Mine shipped almost completely assembled and had a great accessory package that included a scale, titration kit, droppers, oil-barrel heater, everything. The processor's clear tubing is excellent because you can see exactly what is going where, and it's about as quiet as a pool pump. I would definitely recommend it as a beginner's processor.

I am currently not producing any biodiesel, I am buying it from a supplier and storing it for use. I have my processor all set up in my shed with the methanol and oil barrels as well as a (huge) 400-gallon tote to pump BD into. When I get some free time this summer I'll likely try to start processing again.

Quinn8it · #12 03-03-2007, 08:08 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ELITE-BIODIESEL-PROCESSOR-Make-your-own-fuel_W0QQitemZ290088941245QQihZ019QQcategoryZ57114QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
How do you think your kit compares to this one?(speculation) It is about half the price... Are you able to use animal/vegetable or just vegetable oil?

Firerooster · #13 03-04-2007, 01:01 AM

Well, Maybe I can help you here if I can get some help in trade....

I have been brewing my own BD for nearly 3 years now. Running it in two 7.3L powerstrokes. I run B100 most of the time. I just today purchased my first mercedes. I bought a 1983 300SD turbo diesel. I am looking for specifics on it. Like service type answers. How much oil, tranny fluid, type of fluids etc. I am just getting started on it.

Anyway, fire the questions you have re: BD and I will answer as best I can.

jbach36 · #14 03-04-2007, 01:11 AM

Watch out for MAD ARABS!! All they have is sand and oil to sell.

BioPOWER · #15 03-04-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinn8it

http://cgi.ebay.com/ELITE-BIODIESEL-PROCESSOR-Make-your-own-fuel_W0QQitemZ290088941245QQihZ019QQcategoryZ57114QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
How do you think your kit compares to this one?(speculation) It is about half the price... Are you able to use animal/vegetable or just vegetable oil?

That kit looks almost EXACTLY like mine, with the exception that it has a pump to mix the methanol and sodium hydroxide...something that will definitely be of benefit. Mine has a device that dissolves the NaOH using the incoming flow of methanol, but it often failed and I had to mix the catalyst by hand before blending with the oil. Other than the extra pump (and its built-in filter, another benefit), that unit looks a lot like mine. Probably worth a try.

In my processor I have only tried to run vegetable oil (I've used both new and WVO), and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to run animal fats, as the unit isn't heated throughout the whole process. The oil is heated to 130º or so only at the beginning of processing.