Biodiesel for a heating oil burner?

Arthur

Has anyone on here used waste veggie oil on a heating oil burner. Used straight or been processed as biodiesel?
What sort of results did you get??

Weezbo

ok now dont repeat this.....

i probably shouldnt tell you this ......Buh......reply and i will e-mail you.

Firedragon_4

I don't know of it

being used straight run, but it has been sucessful in several programs run by Brookhaven National Labs.

It is also being used by a group of hotels in Nevada, but again as a mix and in large Commercial applications.

Best to do more reading and surfing before doing it.

Constantin

MassEnergy is offering a B10 mix

in the Boston area. They claim it's a mix of low sulfur dino and soybean oil. I've asked them to clarify what low-sulfur means, but the stuff is alleged to work just fine on regular oil systems (with only 10% biofuel in the mix, I don't see why not).

People who sign up for the Biofuel program must pledge not to add regular fuel on top of the B10. I guess there is some sort of a grant that subsidizes the fuel and the mandatory inspections point to some sort of pilot beta-test program. The cost of the stuff is about 15-20 cents higher than regular fuel.

Considering that the folks on the alternative side of the train tracks have successfully gotten Diesel engines to run on modified and straight veggie oil alike, I'd like to think that a home heating system would be a cake walk. The nozzles in a home heating system are much larger than the injectors used in car engines, the flow rates are high, etc. so it should work. The only issue I could think of is lubricity, i.e. the ability of the fuel to keep the pumps inside the burner happy.

Carl PE

From what I've read

Lubricity isn't a problem. The french-fry grease is actually better for the pump than the dino-diesel.

However, it doesn't work as well in a burner.

How about getting a little cummins or kohler genset and making your own chp?

Carl PE

Come on, Weezy

You can't post something like that and not elaborate.

Ted_4

More info

The Energy Cooperative in Philadelphia has started a Bio-diesel operation. There's lots of good information at this link: http://www.fryodiesel.com/

PJO_5

Biodiesel.org

Check it out...

Seems the general consensus is a 20% mix is optimum for heating fuel...

I will be using it next year (already pre-paid for this year) and am looking forward to it. I'd rather keep a few U.S. farmers working than someone from the middle east whenever I can...plus it is less pollutive than the high-sulfur we use. Extra money (about 10% more) well spent IMHO.

Merry Christmas Wallies!!!!

Take Care, PJO

Constantin

Good Info

What is the position of Viessmann on the usage of biofuels in their burners and heating equipment? Does it affect the warranty in any way?

I'm intrigued by the B10 program at MassEnergy, but I'd like to qualify the service people that come with the biofuel package (I guess to monitor the heating equipment) before they get to work on my home heating system.

Granted, a radiant-only floor system is pretty simple compared to some of the multiple-temp systems I have seen on the Wall, but I don't think it was the point of the excercise to buy a Vitola unless an excellent service tech came along with the package.

Ron Schroeder_2

Biodiesel works fairly well in a conventional burner but the rubber seals fail quickly and need to be replaced with Viton.

The problem that I had with running straight veggy oil was coking on shut down and the need to pre-heat the oil to at least 125 degrees before starting.

Ron

Mitch_4

ran it by beckett a while back

They have no problem with up to a B20 (20% bio) mix. More than that will wreak havoc on pump seals.

Mitch

S Davis

Waste oil Boilers

Yes there are some waste oil boilers that will run on fryer oil, Reznor makes a good burner that they couple with a buderus G series boiler If I remember it is a RAB235, you do have to make sure your oil is filtered really well, and they say to service every six months.

S Davis


Apex Radiant Heating

joel_19

waste oil

Waste oil burners like Clean Burn would probably be good for this as they have a pre heater. You could fire a clean Burn burner into a Vitola 63 and probably run High concentrations of Biodiesl in it. The Vitola would work well as it has a long chamber which is what a Cleanburn likes. I wouldn't try it in a shallow chamber.

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