Biodiesel for home heating

PJO_5

Will be Monday. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

By the way, I got it for $2.19 per gallon locked in for the season - cheaper than many "full dino" prices! A "win-win" if I ever saw one...

From all that I have read, a B20 (20%) mix should be fine for my boiler. Full biodiesel can be used in many engines as long as the DIN___ is followed (the number escapes me), but there are gelling issues in the winter so mix at 50% max.

I am considering a biodiesel treatment system...especially if I buy a diesel vehicle in the spring. We'll see...

Take Care, PJO

John R. Hall

Panacea or flash in pan?

I read the article (link below) about biodiesel fuel. There seems to be a good representation of the pros and cons but not a whole lot on what alterations are needed on existing systems to burn this fuel (except for one guy's tale). Has anyone had any experience with biodiesel and should we all run out and put our names on the waiting list for a shipment? Just curious.

http://www.wired.com/news/planet/0,2782,69524,00.html?tw=wn_story_page_prev2

Constantin

I locked in...

... for B5 this winter. As most people acknowledge, Biodiesel may not cover the entire needs of the US for heating and transportation, but it's one way to become less dependent on energy imports and also a means to reducing the addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

It is my understanding that the seal issue is largely moot as long as you stay below B20. If you want to go higher with your biodiesel concentration then you'll have to exchange your current seals for ones made of the likes of Viton, etc. The food industry solved these issues a long time ago, as you can imagine. Then there is the slightly-lower energy content of biofuels.... i.e. you pay more for less oompf.

Yet, I went with B5 because I believe that unless many individuals step up to the plate to prove that there is a will and a way that the oil companies will squash this potential competitor to their fuel empire. Between conservation and alternative fuels, I think the security of this country could be increased a great deal by making it less dependent on energy importation.

Dirk Wright

Biodiesel issues

Just be aware that biodiesel will dissolve (emulsify?) the sludge in an old tank, which can lead to clogged filters. It's not available where I live, nor is low sulfur petroleum heating oil. They may be available in a few years though. Also, biodiesel is food to many micro-organisms, so use a biocide. The city vehicles of Sacramento, CA switched to B100 a while back but ran into problems with biological growth leading to clogged fuel lines, injectors and filters. Biodiesel is getting there, and the blends are probably perfectly safe in old equipment, but the manufacturers of heating equipment have not caught up yet. They will eventually of course.

Constantin

You can get growth in Diesel too...

... biocides have been in use as a result for many years...

No burner manufacturer to my knowledge has certified their equipment for use with bio-fuels, so you'll be on your own if anything breaks. Granted, anything below B20 should be fine, but try telling that to your customer if their burner seizes up, even if its unrelated to their fuel choice.

I have also heard stories along the lines of B100 being potentially churned into butter. Between the new tanks and the few deliveries I have received thus far, I think we will be safe re: sludge. However, you're right, it is an issue for older installations.