WVO or Biodiesel? - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

GPappy · 02-15-2011, 10:44

I ran across a pretty good deal on a Biodiesel processor and 300 gals of WVO. I have been investigating alternative fuels and was wondering if there are advantages to making the WVO into Biodiesel or if I would just be better off with a centrifuge and running filtered WVO or WMO mixed with diesel?

I would be running the fuel in my Deuce and a couple of farm tractors I have.

cranetruck · 02-15-2011, 10:54

Not much advantage to processing the WVO, just mix it with diesel. Either way, temps much below 40°F may create problems.

UNIMOG-GUY · 02-15-2011, 13:52

I agree with Bjorn. It all depends on the vehicle that you have and since you have a Deuce A2 with a multifuel and some farm tractors I would just filter the WVO and mix with regular diesel. This way you will save some money by not having to purchase the biodiesel processing equipment. You'll save money by not having to purchase methanol and lye to make the biodiesel.

GPappy · 02-15-2011, 19:48

Thanks for the insight. Hard to believe people are spending so much on Biodiesel processors if it doesn't work any better than just burning the WVO. The deuce I understand being that it is multifuel but I didn't know that other diesel engines ran as well on WVO as biodiesel.

Jimma · 02-15-2011, 19:57

I filter WVO here at my house. I would not invest in the biodiesel stuff. Too much up front cost and chemicals. I just dont use much of my WVO in the winter when its cold. Real slow starts. I use filtered WMO instead but at a lower ratio than in the summer. Things just burn good when its hot outside.

area52 · 02-15-2011, 19:57

If you do some more research on biodiesel, I believe one of the advantages over WVO is a lower temperature in which you can use it without gelling up like WVO. don't quote me on it since its been awhile since I have looked over the info. By removing the "fats" in WVO when you change it to biodiesel, the gel point is lower.

Jimma · 02-15-2011, 20:01

That may be right. I was just looking at the overall upfront investment. A filter setup can be reasonable whereas a biodiesel setup can cost a small fortune or atleast more than the cost of a deuce.

MiSasquatch · 02-15-2011, 20:23

I've found that with the WVO you have little waste, the filters, and such. With Bio there's much more liquid left overs. I've heard a lot of it is likened to soap. If you got use for lots of soap it may be the way to go...or not. My 2 cents worth.

area52 · 02-15-2011, 20:54

if you look for the "appleseed" reactor for biodiesel, its not real expensive - old hot water heater, pump, pipe fittings, methanol and lye.

wreckerman893 · 02-15-2011, 21:21

I run 50/50 in my Ford Ranger diesel in the summer.......in the deuce I mix it with gas and UMO.

It will thicken up in cold weather...especially if chicken or food with fat was cooked in it.