BREWING BIODIESEL

This project started when the price of fuel started to really escalate.  Somebody said (probably me) couldn't we save a lot if we made our own fuel.  Since most of my friends & I drive diesel vehicles, it seemed to be the right thing to say.  I started to do some research on the web and it seemed like a piece of cake.  Just go to the local restaurants and get their used fryer grease.  Well, that is the easy part!  Believe me, for us, it has not been an easy process.  Not nearly as easy as this web site says.

 http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html

 

We started out by using new corn oil bought from Wal-mart.  Wow!  This seemed easy!  Note the darker material at the bottom of the jug.  The stuff we want is above that line.   Now all we had to do is go collect the used grease from the restaurants and process that and we are in business.  Hmmmmm!  You mean there is more to it than that?
All that research on the internet and the purchase of a few parts and a used water heater and we are good to go! Wow!  It even seems to be working on our test batch.  It is even obvious where the separation line is.  This is a piece of cake!
About this time, I had to go have some heart work done.  No fun but I think it gave me a new lease on life. I really believe that this procedure save me to continue the work that was needed.  Namely, the invention of a biodiesel machine.
 
Well, the first batch turned out to be a bunch of glop.  We reasoned that the problem could be fixed with some changes to the system. After making several batches of glop, we were getting somewhat frustrated.  This compounded by having other projects to work on, meant that progress has been very slow on the biodiesel.
One of the problems we have had is filtering the raw product.  We have tried many different schemes.  Mostly they plug up very quickly.  Even the systems that are advertised on the internet have their problems. Another problem we have had is storage of the raw product.  One of the partners managed to find a storage tank and we have now plumbed it in.  It will hold 1000 gallons.
Filling the drum with water before welding the port in the bottom.   Before we put the raw product in the storage tank, we have to get the old French fry and onion rings parts out of the grease.  This is the beginnings of our filter system. Building the stand around the drum.  We also believe that getting all the food matter out of the grease will also help our processing.  This will take it one step further.
Completed filter system.  This now provides a faster and much easier method for doing the initial filtering.  And certainly less messy. One thing that really helps is the messy part is moved outside.  Here we can warm the grease and then suck it out of the drum.  Then pump it into the filter system.
 
Another project going on simultaneously is the installation of a SVO system in a Dodge diesel P/U.  Dean is studying the instruction book.  

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