Need info on increasing cetane rating of biodiesel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 11-30-2009, 10:46 AM

I have the chance to buy some biodiesel from someone at a very reasonable price. The seller is telling me that the cetane rating of the fuel is 45-47. I always thought cetrane ratings in standard diesel fuel were a lot higher than that, at least 50. I am tempted to buy the diesel fuel and then use an additive to increase the cetane rating to 50, which I be;lieve I can do.

Opinions? Anyone ever done this before?

I have also heard that adding the cetane booster is about the same as adding a quart of 30W oil with no additives to a 55 gal drum. Anyone got any personal experience with biodiesel and cetane ratings?

Thanks.

PS I have three days to find this out before I lose the chance to buy the fuel.

oldsinner111 · #2 11-30-2009, 10:51 AM

Biodiesel is superior to diesel because higher cetane.However cold climates may requre a additive for biodiesel only.To pervent gelling of fuel.

toomany MBZ · #3 11-30-2009, 11:06 AM

Anything over 50 won't help, I understand. Many pumps have a rating of 40.
http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/researchdevelopment/a/cetane.htm

strelnik · #4 11-30-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

Anything over 50 won't help, I understand. Many pumps have a rating of 40.
http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/researchdevelopment/a/cetane.htm

Thanks for the info to date.

Europeans have now legislated a minimum of 50 cetane for diesel, Wikipedia says noth9ing over 55 makes a difference, even though premium Euro diesel is 60 cetane, go figure.

I just want to know: If I go fill up at the local BP or Flying J, what's the cetane level of the diesel fuel? Anyone know for sure, specifically?

Also, need to know if the 30W addition to the tank will indeed add to the cetane number, or is it just pouring in the additive that makes the difference?

Thanks

toomany MBZ · #5 11-30-2009, 01:02 PM

^ There should be a sticker on the pump.

oldsinner111 · #6 11-30-2009, 02:00 PM

Olive Oil has something like 65 cetane,I love running peanut oil as it is high.Turpentine added to diesel one quart to a tank,will make it fly faster than power service.

#7 11-30-2009, 02:55 PM

You do understand that the cetane rating has nothing to do with the energy content of the fuel, don't you?

JHZR2 · #8 11-30-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

Also, need to know if the 30W addition to the tank will indeed add to the cetane number, or is it just pouring in the additive that makes the difference?

Thanks

In addition to adding ash (soot, scouring agents and thus extra wear), it likely is also impeding combustion.

ggspeed · #9 11-30-2009, 04:45 PM

I run bio and reg diesel interchangeably all the time, there's no difference at all in the way my 240d (girlfriends 300cd) or 300SDL runs.... I would just buy it and use it, if its not running up to your standards cut it 50/50 with reg diesel from the fueling station. It'll work and if it doesnt then just up the amount of reg diesel you put into the mixture until it does.....

DocSarvis · #10 11-30-2009, 05:13 PM

If this is non-comercial bio I would be more concerned with complete conversion, proper filtering, proper washing and drying. Just throwing it out there if you haven't thought about it already. Thanks

bobodaclown · #11 11-30-2009, 05:32 PM

If the price is right get it. What's the right price? If its around $2.25 or less a gallon I'd pick it up. Remember 100% Biodiesel gets about 10% less MPG then diesel. Here's some reading on cetane number: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetane_number

RichC · #12 11-30-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

Olive Oil has something like 65 cetane,I love running peanut oil as it is high.Turpentine added to diesel one quart to a tank,will make it fly faster than power service.

Hey, how did you find out about turpentine ??

You cant be giving away all of the alternative fuels secrets to people.

It will make their heads spin so fast they will get confused and scared.

Then they will get angry, and find a way to deny the truth.

Even tho they have no experience at all they will make all kinds of claims.

Like " Turpentine will destroy your engine " ,
or
" my brother the mechanic has seen thousand of cars destroyed by turpentine ".

Put your flame suit on, and stick around, they will be here in a minute.

John Schroader · #13 11-30-2009, 11:50 PM

Although I've run darned little D2 in either of my MBs, I've never noticed any noticable difference in milage between D2 and bio. I've read that bio gets about 90% of what D2 gets, but I honestly think my cars do as well or slightly better on bio.

alphadeltaromeo · #14 12-01-2009, 10:44 AM

With respect to turpentine, I have a friend that put it in his military truck (deuce 1/2) and it destroyed the seals in the pump, etc. so I'd be cautious. I can't speak with any authority on how it would deal with the merc and the types of seals used, but I would just caution you.

No flaming intended from me

just providing a helpful bit of information.

Andy

oldsinner111 · #15 12-01-2009, 11:53 AM

They were experimenting with turpentine at 30% to diesel.However it is costly to make.But I've found with wvo,it makes the car run faster.I do in my gasser and diesel use 3oz. acetone,for greater mpgs.