Lister Engine Forum

Alternative fuels => Waste Vegetable Oil => Topic started by: Tom on May 29, 2008, 05:24:41 PM

Title: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: Tom on May 29, 2008, 05:24:41 PM
I have been reading this thread:

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/719605551/m/555604723/p/1

about a new way to process WVO and make a sort of semi-bio-diesel. The basic formula is:
1 liter of oil
250 ml of Ethanol or E85 (optional)
4 grams of KoH

Heat oil to 131F, mix KoH into ethanol and then mix that into the WVO. Then you burn the whole lot, no glycerin separation occurs. Apparently this makes a stable mix even out of tallow or bacon fat! No heating if fuel tanks or lines is required! Anyone here tried this process?

Here is my plan. I have about 100 gal of creamy hydrogenated, used once, soy fryer oil. It is semi solid at room temp. I want to use this process to make fuel for the Listeroid to use for back-up power this winter. The plan is to use it with out the need to hang out in the generator shack and switch back and forth between diesel and WVO when starting and stopping the engine. In my area the coldest we can expect is the mid 20's, however when it is that cold it is usually clear so most of the time the temp will be in the mid 30's to 40's. I also am collecting a bit of WMO I plan to add to this mix at about 10%. Sound like a workable plan?
Title: Re: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: VeggieDiesel on May 29, 2008, 06:18:28 PM
Hi Tom,

I'm a bit sceptical, because depending on the amount of free fatty acids, the methoxide mixture may start a transesterification process and cause some glycerins to start settling out (even in your fuel tank).
What the process seems to be doing is going part way in to the biodiesel creation process, but not far enough to create methy esters.
What's the ultimate goal ? It certainly does not make biodiesel, because the glycerines have not been removed and the carbon atoms from the methanol have not bonded to the ester.
If the goal is the thin the WVO, I think the method of 85% WVO, 15% Reg unleaded gasoline, and 100ml of diesel fuel enhancer (to boost the cetane levels) might work better.
Having said that... I'm no expert. so....
I'm really interested to hear how your test batch turns out.

Cheers,
Veggie
Title: Re: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: Tom on May 29, 2008, 07:13:44 PM
Thanks for the comment Veg, however the formula uses Ethanol instead of Methanol. Supposedly Ethanol is a better solvent and the mixture stays in solution. I guess I'll mix some of the WVO I have with RUG and see if it stays in solution or not. Apparently the tallow will drop out below a certain temp which with a limited amount of experience I have found to be true.
Title: Re: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: VeggieDiesel on May 31, 2008, 03:14:50 PM
Hey Tom,

Actually, there should not be much difference between Ethanol and Methanol in this regard.
Both can be used to make biodiesel and both will start the trasnesterification process when mixed with sodium hydrox. and WVO.
A lot of people use ethanol to make Biodiesel.
The only difference is the quantities in the recipe. (Use 22% Methanol or 30% Ethanol.)
Let us know how you make out.
I have a Changfa that I would like to run on WVO so I'm quite interested in your findings.

Veggie
Title: Re: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: Tom on May 31, 2008, 10:15:23 PM
As of now I'm still looking for a source of Ethanol or E85.
Title: Re: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: captfred on May 31, 2008, 10:49:27 PM
Look into building a Still (don't forget the experimental fuels permit - "damn revenoorers get downright upset if yur shinin' hooch")  Distill your own ethanol for E85 and Biodiesel production. For the Charles 803 still it's  the cost of the copper pipe and the sterlco temperature control valve - about a $1000 bucks to build this still.  Got lucky with free copper pipe - and the valve off e-bay for 150 bucks. Check it out, another fun project.
Title: Re: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: rcavictim on June 01, 2008, 12:08:34 AM
What benefit does the four grams of Kampgrounds of Hawaii add?  For folks on the mainland will something pilfered from a KOA do?   :D
Title: Re: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: dieseldave on July 12, 2008, 02:41:14 AM

  I was told once that when you mix lye with used vegtable oil,the lye mixes with all the impurities and separates from the oil. The lye wont mix with the finished product. Is this true? :-\
Title: Re: The Masters Formula - A new way to use WVO
Post by: rmchambers on July 12, 2008, 04:40:24 AM
The other half of biodiesel production is washing the lye remnants out of the mixture.  If you're not doing that, wouldn't the result be a potentially caustic mixture going right into the engine.  Then once combustion happens (byproduct being moisture) create a basic solution which would attack the metal inside the engine?