Making Biodiesel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 06-10-2020, 10:19 AM

A friend of mine (Dave) has had a Biodiesel processor for years, but it has fallen into disrepair. I offered to do the repairs and provide the oil if he would teach me how the process works. He agreed, and I brought ove two 55 gallon drums of oil. We filtered it, and pumped it into the IBC tote he has that is mounted above the processor. After pumping 90 gallons of oil into the large tank, the pump and heater was turned on and ran for three hours. We then did the titration test. This involved some alcohol, reagent, syringes and other chemicals. Once the test was completed and some calculations made, the proper amount of lye was weighed out with a scale. It was then added to the smaller tank with a measured amount of methanol, and then mixed up with a paddle mixer on a cordless drill. With the opening and closing of a few ball valves, the mixture was pumped into the large tank and left to circulate for another three hours. After that, the heat and pump were turned off, and two gallons of water added. This stops the reaction, and causes the glycerine to settle to the bottom of the cone bottom tank, later to be drained off. What is left is 80 gallons of golden brown B100 Biodiesel!

ROLLGUY · #2 06-10-2020, 10:23 AM

Dave finished up the process (I didn't want to wait around for 3 hours), so I will go back another day with my empty drum to get some fuel. More photos posted then.

strelnik · #3 06-10-2020, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Dave finished up the process (I didn't want to wait around for 3 hours), so I will go back another day with my empty drum to get some fuel. More photos posted then.

Looks like things have worked out well for you. Congrats!

When I move to the farm, we'll be doing some of that.

Junkman · #4 06-10-2020, 07:44 PM

Where did you get the oil? How much actual labor time does it take?

moon161 · #5 06-10-2020, 11:39 PM

A greaser is born.

ah-kay · #6 06-11-2020, 10:41 AM

Methanol is expensive, it also seems to be quite labor intensive. Can you work out the cost per gallon for our reference? Assuming the waste oil is free and no capital expenditure. Thanks.

engatwork · #7 06-11-2020, 10:53 AM

You going to run it in the CDI?

tdoublenastywitit · #8 06-11-2020, 12:18 PM

When I did the math in the past it's like 2 bucks a gallon to make. Depending on if u can wvo for free or not.

Unlike most people would assume all the teriyaki places and stuff where u can supposedly get wvo "for free" don't really fancy having a rough neck back there hand pumping out oil into a drum

BiodieselMB · #9 06-11-2020, 12:25 PM

Good job.
I did this years ago but the glycerin stockpile is a hassle so now I collect the grease and trade for the real thing virgin soy biodiesel (SME) Soy Methyl Ester, and mix 50/50 with regular diesel.

100% biodiesel runs great and the cars and trucks and tractors etc love it but it has less BTUs than regular diesel and therefore less horsepower and mileage.
Also a blend will not drop out of solution in cold weather and stores with less worry and biodiesel is a solvent so running 100% wears out rubber faster.

FYI: If running biodiesel for the first time it is necessary to carry extra fuel filters because the fuel will clean the tank and lines and clog filters.

The ultimate fuel solution would be to grow the crop yourself and make biodiesel from it. Soy, Rape Seed, Coconut, Palm, Olive, etc. That would be fun.

ROLLGUY · #10 06-11-2020, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

You going to run it in the CDI?

Dave was running it in all his vehicles 50/50 (B100/ULSD). The deal I made was for half of the batch of 80 gallons, in trade for all the oil he needs. He will be using his portion in his vehicles at the 50/50 mix (E300, CDI, Duramax work trucks).

ROLLGUY · #11 06-11-2020, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman

Where did you get the oil? How much actual labor time does it take?

I have been collecting oil for years from a couple restaurants. I was selling some of it, and blending a little in my 617's. The labor is a couple hours spread out between a couple days. The hands on time is spent filtering, titrating and adding chemicals etc. The machine runs on a timer, so once it is set, it does it's own thing.

Phillytwotank · #12 06-11-2020, 08:17 PM

Send a little sample (500ml) and I would be glad to run some quality test In The biodiesel lab if you want

ROLLGUY · #13 06-11-2020, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon161

A greaser is born.

Actually, I was a greaser many years ago (20?) when I bought my first 'Benz. I started with the Lovecraft system, but went to blending. Now that the processor is fixed, I will probably be running B100 in my SLD and TD.

moon161 · #14 06-16-2020, 04:19 PM

How did blending work for you/what recipe? I had a two tank 240D but since I got the wagon there's no place to put the sticky tank and I haven't plumbed it for grease.

ROLLGUY · #15 06-16-2020, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon161

How did blending work for you/what recipe? I had a two tank 240D but since I got the wagon there's no place to put the sticky tank and I haven't plumbed it for grease.

For years and many miles in several cars I ran a blend of 80/20 WVO/RUG. I have a couple drums of new oil (free outdated oil from the local school district warehouse), and have been using that in my two remaining Diesels.