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Thread: World's most expensive biodiesel...

  1. #1
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    World's most expensive biodiesel...

    $13.70 /L

    Just made some biodiesel (for work) using pure reagents from lab suppliers...

    Most of the above cost was methanol, the canola oil worked out to $2.50 /L. Lucky I wasn't paying for it!!!

    The above price also does not include labour for 2 people for about 2 hrs either.

  2. #2
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    wait till you make a batch out of organic extra virgin olive oil.....

    I'll just say that alcohol, a dare and the contents of someones pantry, laundry, workshop and garden shed were involved along with the phrases "bet you can't", "you wouldnt dare"..


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  3. #3
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    So I take it you aren't going into commercial production with this highly refined product

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by rick130 View Post
    So I take it you aren't going into commercial production with this highly refined product
    ... You think this might be the next craze after V-Power diesel???

    I doubt a 4BD1 would notice the difference over run of the mill BD. (However I will be testing that tomorrow).

    Given the time involved, and the need to dispose of ~20L of oily, watery, glycerolly, soap for every 20L of fuel produced, I am very much sold on the idea of burning straight Canola (instead) if the fuel price ever gets to $2.50/L.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by isuzurover View Post
    ... .........Given the time involved, and the need to dispose of ~20L of oily, watery, glycerolly, soap for every 20L of fuel produced, I am very much sold on the idea of burning straight Canola (instead) if the fuel price ever gets to $2.50/L.
    How on earth did you get around the SAME amount of gunge as "biodiesel" ??? - I doubt you ended up with fatty-acid methyl - ester, a.k.a. biodiesel.

    Where or what did you use for feed-stock ? Sounds like fish&chip oil that passed its use-by date some years ago.....

    Like to know more, such as what the oil titrated at, how many grams/litre of catalyst you used, and what % methanol.

    The left-overs soapy gunge is best mixed with lots of HOT water, and slowly fed down your dunny and drains... Cleans them up a treat! - Not really the best for septic systems if there is any 'oily' component to it.

    James,
    --- who used to make the stuff many moons ago...

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Blknight.aus View Post
    wait till you make a batch out of organic extra virgin olive oil.....
    ....

    Somebodies SWMBO was not happy...
    The House-hold Manageress is the most dangerous and volatile part of the mix...
    Last edited by superquag; 14th February 2012 at 09:09 PM. Reason: spellingg

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by superquag View Post
    How on earth did you get around the SAME amount of gunge as "biodiesel" ??? - I doubt you ended up with fatty-acid methyl - ester, a.k.a. biodiesel.

    Where or what did you use for feed-stock ? Sounds like fish&chip oil that passed its use-by date some years ago.....

    Like to know more, such as what the oil titrated at, how many grams/litre of catalyst you used, and what % methanol.

    The left-overs soapy gunge is best mixed with lots of HOT water, and slowly fed down your dunny and drains... Cleans them up a treat! - Not really the best for septic systems if there is any 'oily' component to it.

    James,
    --- who used to make the stuff many moons ago...
    lol - don't worry James. As I said in my PM, PhD qualified chemists (not me, I am an engineer) were involved (as my minions ). Feedstocks were virgin (dry) canola, 99.98% Methanol and 98% KOH. Glycerine was minimal, however we wanted to ensure it was washed MUCH better than the usual crud.

    Definitely not a backyard operation. This is as good as biodiesel gets...

    As for the saponified glycerol-water mixture, it would be a waste to tip it down the drains at work, I was planning to put it on the garden as fertiliser.

  8. #8
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    That's why most people start with free used veg oil from the local chippy.

    But I agree, the methanol is the problem: also too expensive here in Seffrica. The potassium hydroxide can also be a problem to source if you don't have a chemical supplier nearby.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by isuzurover View Post
    .......... however we wanted to ensure it was washed MUCH better than the usual crud.

    ......... This is as good as biodiesel gets...

    As for the saponified glycerol-water mixture, it would be a waste to tip it down the drains at work, I was planning to put it on the garden as fertiliser.
    Simple test to see how well you've washed the bio...


    Take a glass container (Jam, honey etc) fill 1/2 with bio, 1/2 with water, cap then shake enough to mix the two thoroughly.
    - see how long it takes for the mixture to perfectly split apart.

    The #1 - quality bio would do this in seconds... Used to annoy the heck out of me!

    How did you wash yours ? - Misting? (invented here in Perth) or Bubbles ? Mechanical mixing?

    I ended up using a combination of adding 5% water to the brew before settling, misting first, then finish off with bubble-washing.

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