What is Biodiesel?
How can I learn more about Biodiesel production before I buy a 70CentsaGallon processor?
How do you know if the Biodiesel is up to standard?
Is the Biodiesel ok for my car, agricultural machine, generator, etc?
Do I need to do any modifications to my car or truck to run Biodiesel?
Will my Biodiesel void my diesel engine's warranty?
How can I verify that the Biodiesel I make is safe enough to use in my diesel engine?
What equipment do I need to make Biodiesel?
What are the regulations regarding storing methanol and glycerin?
Can I mix my glycerin with regular petroleum diesel?
Why don't you use water to wash your Biodiesel?
How much does it cost to make Biodiesel with our 70CentsaGallon processors?
What feedstocks can I use to make Biodiesel with your Biodiesel systems?
How do I find feedstock oil to use with your Biodiesel processors?
How do I pick a Biodiesel processor to fit my needs?
What is Biodiesel?
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a clean burning diesel fuel replacement made from natural, renewable sources, such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats. It will run in any diesel engine with no modifications and can be mixed with regular diesel fuel in any ratio. Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable. It can be made by nearly anyone in a simple process using equipment available from this web site.
The production of Biodiesel involves intensively mixing methanol with the oil or fat in the presence of a suitable catalyst, and then allowing the lighter methyl ester phase to separate by gravity from the heavier glycerol phase. However, as with most organic reactions the degree of conversion depends on the equilibrium reached as well as the influence of other reactions. Achieving product quality is very important and we show you how.
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How can I learn more about Biodiesel production before I buy a 70CentsaGallon processor?
How can I learn more about Biodiesel production before I buy a 70CentsaGallon processor?
We have put together a large Biodiesel library to help you with your knowledge base. Click Here to access our library. We also have a downloads page to assist you with numerous Biodiesel topics.
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How do you know if the Biodiesel is up to standard?
How do you know if the Biodiesel is up to standard?
To make sure all Biodiesel is the same, so that legislation is easy and manufacturers of cars as well as customers know what to expect there exists some standards for Biodiesel. The most well known is the European standard EN14124 and the American ASTM D671 standard.
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Is the Biodiesel ok for my car, agricultural machine, generator, etc?
Is the Biodiesel ok for my car, agricultural machine, generator, etc?
Please inform with the manufacturer of your car, agricultural machine, generator, etc. Most diesel cars and machines build after 1995 are able to drive on 100% Biodiesel. Since Biodiesel is also a very good cleaning agent it is best to start using it in diesel engines little by little. If you would drive immediately on 100% Biodiesel danger exists that all dirt in the motor is cleaned away in one time blocking your motor filters. Therefore start by mixing 5% Biodiesel into your diesel, next time, 10% and go up like that.
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Do I need to do any modifications to my car or truck to run Biodiesel?
Do I need to do any modifications to my car or truck to run Biodiesel?
On any vehicle newer than 1995, no modifications are necessary. Some vehicles older than 10 years old have rubber fuel lines, which will be degraded over time by Biodiesel. Just replace these with current synthetic fuel lines, and you're done. We also recommend that you replace your fuel filter after your first tank of Biodiesel, since Biodiesel is a very good solvent and will scrub out all the tars, varnishes, and gums left by fossil diesel in your fuel system.
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Will my Biodiesel void my diesel engine's warranty?
Will my Biodiesel void my diesel engine's warranty?
Most major diesel vehicle manufacturers have already acknowledged that Biodiesel will NOT void your warranty. Check with your dealer or diesel mechanic for further details. Companies such as Cummins, Caterpillar, and John Deere have extensively tested Biodiesel and are strong supporters.
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How can I verify that the Biodiesel I make is safe enough to use in my diesel engine?
How can I verify that the Biodiesel I make is safe enough to use in my diesel engine?
First, the glycerin/glycerin should have a very clean and distinct separation without a third layer. Second, doing a simple "mixability" test of your glycerin with an equal amount of water in a jar to see how fast the glycerin separates from the water will give a very sensitive indication of how pure it is. You can also purchase a testing kit.
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What equipment do I need to make Biodiesel?
What equipment do I need to make Biodiesel?
3 ingredients: Feedstock, all vegetable oils, new or used, and animal fats are OK, methanol and NaOH (Lye).
1. Shelter, electricity and Purolite
2. Depending on how large your operation is (Business Fleet vs. Home use) a reactor tank where your feedstock is mixed with the methoxide. This creates a chemical process where you create glycerin and crude glycerin.
3. A Methoxide tank where your methanol is mixed with your NaOH
4. A settling tank where your glycerin is separated from your crude glycerin
5. A storage tank for your feedstock
6. A storage tank for your methanol
7. A storage tank for your finished glycerin
8. A storage tank for your crude glycerin
9. A pump-to-pump feedstock into reactor, methanol into reactor and all the other streams.
10. A Settling & Dry Wash Tank
11. Depending on the feedstock possibly a degumming tank.
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What are the regulations regarding storing methanol and glycerin?
What are the regulations regarding storing methanol and glycerin?
If you treat your barrels of methanol and glycerin as you would treat barrels of gasoline, you'll be safe. Check with your local fire marshal about your local safety regulations for storing gasoline (such as for use with an emergency generator).
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Can I mix my glycerin with regular petroleum diesel?
Can I mix my glycerin with regular petroleum diesel?
You can mix glycerin in ANY ratio, back and forth, with no problems.
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Why don't you use water to wash your Biodiesel?
Why don't you use water to wash your Biodiesel?
Because we know Purolite to be better. This is a DRY washing - needing no water. It is faster than water (approx. 1 hour to wash 1000 liters of glycerin). Anyone who knows glycerin knows what issues there are with water. In SA using water can add to your cost, especially in and around cities. Some companies don't tell the truth about water washing and when asked about the water waste say "just put it down the drain and don't tell anyone". This is ignorant advice. The fines are huge.
Another area of water washing we have been asked about is claims that you can wash with water in ONE HOUR. We just don't see how this is possible - it goes against everything that has been learned in glycerin water washing over several years. Using water to wash your glycerin in one hour is in our opinion just not possible. With Purolite it is.
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How much does it cost to make Biodiesel with our 70CentsaGallon processors?
How much does it cost to make Biodiesel with our 70CentsaGallon processors?
This depends a lot on the price for electricity and water you pay in your country. You also have to include man-hours, down payments of investments, etc.
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How long will it take to recoup my investment in a 70CentsaGallon processor?
This depends upon what part of the country you live in and what type of vehicle you are fueling. Petroleum diesel sells for about $4.50 per gallon today in the US. (Assuming free used oil) the cost of Methanol & Lye as well. Example: a Ford Excursion has a 44-gallon fuel tank. Equipped with the 6.0-liter Power Stroke 32-valve diesel engine. You get about 13 to 20 mpg. At $4.50 a gallon for petroleum based diesel fuel, to fill the tank up will cost you $198.00 dollars! With the B-60 home system you can fill your tank up for $30.80 or (.70 cents a gallon) with your own Biodiesel. The B-60 Home Bio Diesel system pays for itself in 3 months.
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What feedstocks can I use to make Biodiesel with your Biodiesel systems?
What feedstocks can I use to make Biodiesel with your Biodiesel systems?
Used cooking oil, soybean oil, palm oil, jathropa oil
rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, peanut oil
canola oil, cottonseed oil, animal fat
and... much more!
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How do I find feedstock oil to use with your Biodiesel processors?
Well, first you must realize that some oil collection sites are better than others. Try to avoid collection locations that do not change their oil often, but if that is all that is available it's okay, you may have to use more Lye and Methanol for the Transesterification process. Asian restaurants are known for changing their oils very frequently. Other sources would be schools, stadiums, concession stands at amusement parks etc.
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How do I pick a Biodiesel processor to fit my needs?
How do I pick a Biodiesel processor to fit my needs?
We first would ask how much fuel you need and why? Are you fueling your company fleet vehicles or your personal vehicles? How many gallons of fuel are you buying currently (weekly/monthly)? Once we establish your fuel usage we can consult with you on the correct application to fit your needs.
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