Biodiesel Fabricar

Haz tu propio biodiesel: Journey to Forever
Haz tu propio biodiesel

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Cualquiera puede producir biodiesel. Es fcil, puedes hacerlo en tu cocina, y es mejor que el combustible derivado del petrleo que venden las petroleras. Tu motor funcionar mejor y durante ms tiempo con tu combustible casero, y es mucho ms limpio; es mejor para el ambiente y para la salud. Si lo produces a partir de aceite de cocina usado no slo ser barato, estars reciclando un residuo perjudicial. Lo mejor de todo es el gran sentimiento de libertad e independencia que da. Aqu est todo lo que necesitas saber para hacerlo: Tres alternativas 1. Mezclarlo 2. Uso directo del aceite vegetal 3. Biodiesel Biodiesel Cmo empezar El siguiente paso El proceso Nuestro primer biodiesel Biodiesel a partir de aceite nuevo Biodiesel a partir de aceite usado Lavado Usando biodiesel Seguridad Cunto metanol? (ingl) Etilsteres -- biodiesel a partir del etanol Recuperar el exceso de metanol Ms sobre la leja Cunta leja es necesaria? Valoracin sencilla Valoracin mejorada Medidas exactas Medidores de pH Fenolftalena Comparacin entre la fenolftalena y el medidor electrnico Cantidades grandes de AGL Desacidificar el aceite usado Cmo evitar la valoracin La cantidad bsica de leja 3,5 gramos?
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English version
Biocombustibles
Lista de correo sobre biocombustibles
Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodiesel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodiesel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodiesel
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Biodiesel en Honk Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl)
http://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_fabricar.html (1 de 15)04/12/2006 11:28:34 a.m.
Informacin sobre biodiesel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo
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Alimento o combustible (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Calefactores, calentadores y cocinas (ingl) Etanol (ingl)
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Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl) Wood gas -- producer gas Home
Preparacin del metxido Lotes de prueba Solucin madre de metxido Valoracin del pobre Cunta glicerina? Por qu no est slida? Mezclas en botes de plstico PET Comprobacin de la viscosidad Descripcin del proceso Qu son los cidos Grasos Libres?(AGL) ndices de yodo (ingl) -- ndices de yodo elevados (ingl) -- Hablando del tiempo (ingl) Por qu mtodo debo empezar? Por qu no puedo empezar con el mtodo cido-base? Calidad Control de calidad Nmero de cetanos (ingl) Estndares nacionales para biodiesel (ingl) -- Los estndares y el productor casero (ingl) -- Pruebas de los estndares (ingl) Biodiesel en motores de gasolina Otros usos Faroles y cocinas Identificacin de los plsticos
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Tres alternativas
Un motor diesel puede funcionar con aceites vegetales. Hay tres formas de hacerlo:
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Mezclar el aceite con queroseno (parafina), diesel o biodiesel Usarlo directamente. Combustible de Aceite Vegetal (CAV) Convertirlo en biodiesel.
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Los dos primeros mtodos parecen ms fciles, pero, como tantas cosas en la vida, la facilidad es slo aparente.
1. Mezclarlo
Si mezclas aceite vegetal con queroseno o con diesel todava usas combustible fsil. "Ms limpio, pero no lo suficiente", dirn muchos. De todas formas, por cada litro de aceite vegetal ahorras un litro de combustible fsil y liberas en la atmsfera mucho menos anhdrido carbnico. Lo normal es usar una mezcla de un 70% de aceite y un 30% de
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queroseno; tambin son frecuentes las mezclas al 50%. Se puede usar la mezcla directamente, pero hay opiniones sobre la necesidad de, por lo menos, un precalentamiento, e incluso un sistema de dos depsitos, como con el combustible CAV (mira ms abajo); estamos de acuerdo con eso. Lo mismo ocurre con las mezclas de aceite y biodiesel (suelen mezclarse al 50%). En ambos casos es improbable que lo vayas a usar en un viejo mercedes IDI diesel de cinco cilindros, que es un motor muy tolerante y resistente. Usarlo en otros motores no es buena idea. Para asegurarte que el motor funcione bien necesitas un sistema de dos depsitos con precalentamiento, y ya no es necesario el queroseno. Si usas el aceite con biodiesel, gastars mucho menos biodiesel almacenndolo en el depsito secundario para arrancar y para parar en vez de mezclarlos. O simplemente puedes usar biodiesel puro y evitar las molestias del segundo depsito y el precalentamiento. No es muy recomendable hacer mezclas, pero tienen ventajas en climas fros. Algo de queroseno o diesel mineral (derivado del petrleo) mezclado con el biodiesel evita que la mezcla se congele hasta que realmente haga mucho fro, y una mezcla al 50% con biodiesel har lo mismo en un sistema CAV. Mensaje enviado a la Lista de correo de los biocombustibles: "Compr en el supermercado tres litros de aceite y los puse en el depsito de mi furgoneta VW Caddy de 1998. Haba tres o cuatro litros de diesel mineral. Estaba usando 50% de diesel y 50% de aceite. Solamente encontr dos diferencias: A) la temperatura del motor era 10 C inferior; B) el intenso olor a freidora de restaurante. Aparte de eso, ningn problema. Segn llega el calor, aumento la proporcin aceite/diesel y espero ver qu ocurre.-- Nick" Respuesta:
Biocombustibles
Los combustibles del futuro
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Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers Backpack stove PicoTurbine Low-tech radio
What to do with a cardboard carton Sisters of silk Silkworms in a shoebox School gardens
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"Ocurrir que tus arranques en fro sern cada da ms difciles. Probablemente el filtro del combustible empiece a obturarse. Con el tiempo los inyectores quedarn cubiertos por una costra negra. La suciedad no permite que el combustible quede bien distribuido dentro del cilindro y no arde bien. Tambin se pegar la suciedad a los anillos del pistn y no dejar pasar el lubricante, aumentando el consumo de lubricante y la probabilidad de una avera, si todava consigues arrancar por las maanas. Usar ms de un 20% de aceite mezclado con el diesel slo es buena idea para 'experimentos' de corta duracin. Por desgracia, no ests haciendo nada nuevo, Nick, si fuera tan fcil como mezclar un montn de aceite con el diesel, manteniendo la fiabilidad, ya lo estaramos haciendo todos desde hace mucho tiempo. Recuerdos, Edward Beggs, Neoteric Biofuels Inc <info@biofuels.ca>" Una alternativa es aadir un disolvente al aceite para reducir su

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viscosidad, normalmente 3% de disolvente de Stoddard (aguarrs mineral), un sucedneo del aguarrs. Esto despert mucho inters cuando fue publicado por un programa de televisin britnico. Tambin despert mucho escepticismo: "experimental como mucho" fue la opinin de los expertos, y "mejor no lo hagas" a no ser que tengas un Mercedes IDI de 5 cilindros (en ese caso ni siquiera necesitas el disolvente). Estamos de acuerdo con ellos. Las mezclas de aceite vegetal con otros disolventes, como butanol o etanol, son an experimentales. De todas formas puedes experimentar, pero no hay garantas de que funcione.
2. Uso directo del aceite vegetal

Para usar aceite vegetal como combustible (CAV: Combustible de Aceite Vegetal) hay que arrancar el motor con diesel para calentarlo (da igual que sea fsil o biodiesel), cambiar entonces al aceite vegetal y volver a cambiar al diesel antes de parar el motor. Si no lo haces se formar una costra de restos requemados en los inyectores y en otras partes del motor. Hacen falta dos depsitos de combustible (eso es difcil en los motores diesel porque su circuito de combustible es hermtico). El aceite necesita un precalentamiento para que no est demasiado viscoso. Hay mucho que decir sobre sistemas CAV. Usar aceite vegetal, con biodiesel para arrancar y parar, puede ser una alternativa limpia, econmica y efectiva. Aqu hay ms informacin sobre sistemas CAV.
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Con Andrs Pinto Negreira (en espaol) andres@journeytoforever.org Con Keith Addison (en ingls) keith@journeytoforever.org Con Midori Hiraga (en ingls) midori@journeytoforever.org Pgina principal www.journeytoforever.org Handmade Projects Japn
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3. Biodiesel
El biodiesel tiene algunas ventajas claras respecto al aceite vegetal: funciona en cualquier motor diesel sin modificarlo; basta con llenar el depsito y arrancar. En climas fros funciona mejor que el CAV, aunque no tan bien como el diesel fsil. Consulta Usando biodiesel en invierno. Y, a diferencia del aceite vegetal, ha superado muchas pruebas en distintos pases, incluyendo millones de kilmetros en carretera. El biodiesel es un combustible alternativo, limpio, seguro y listo para usar, mientras que la mayora de los sistemas CAV son an experimentales y necesitan mucho desarrollo. Por otra parte, el biodiesel puede ser ms caro, dependiendo de la materia prima que utilices y de si lo comparas con el precio del aceite usado (cocinado) o con el precio del aceite nuevo, y tambin depende de dnde vivas. El tratamiento del biodiesel es ms complejo que el del aceite. Pero el nmero de personas que producen biodiesel aumenta rpidamente en todo el mundo, y no parece que tengan en cuenta estas consideraciones. Producindolo una vez a la semana, o
Caucho
El biodiesel puro acabar devorando cualquier pieza de caucho, natural o sinttico, del sistema de distribucin de combustible (tubos y juntas). Acude al fabricante del vehculo para sustituir las piezas de caucho por otras de materiales resistentes (como Viton B). Consulta la tabla de Duracin de los plsticos y tambin Identificacin de los plsticos. Los motores ms
modernos no tienen caucho. Mira tambin El biodiesel y tu vehculo .
una vez al mes, tienen el suministro asegurado. Muchos de ellos lo han estado haciendo durante aos. De todas formas, el aceite tambin hay que procesarlo, especialmente el usado, que mucha gente prefiere porque es barato, a veces gratuito. El aceite usado hay que filtrarlo, secarlo y desacidificarlo. Los productores de biodiesel opinan que es mejor aprovechar el trabajo haciendo biodiesel, mientras que los que usan el aceite directamente dicen que es mucho menos trabajo limpiar el aceite que hacer biodiesel. Necesita x ser procesado Biodiesel S CAV menos
Fiabilidad S No
Modificaciones en el motor No S
Es ms barato A veces Normalmente s
Costes y precios: Los productores de biodiesel que emplean aceite de cocina usado dicen que pueden producirlo a 60 cntimos de dlar el galn o por menos. Lo normal es usar 600 galones al ao (10 por semana), que son 360$ al ao. Un sistema CAV cuesta entre 300$ y 1.200$ o ms. Se amortiza en uno o dos aos, que son poco tiempo en la vida de un motor diesel. Pero... cunto durar el motor con el aceite vegetal? Demasiado pronto para saberlo. Probablemente durar mucho si el sistema CAV es bueno. Aqu recomendaciones y mucho ms.
Biodiesel
Convertir el aceite en biodiesel es probablemente la mejor alternativa, o eso pensamos nosotros. Tambin puedes comprarlo ya hecho. Acutalmente la mayora de los fabricantes europeos de automviles dan garantas cubriendo el funcionamiento de sus motores con biodiesel puro; pero puede que no con cualquier biodiesel. Algunos fabricantes slo garantizan el uso del biodiesel producido en Europa, no el de EE.UU. Parece que es un problema comercial ms que de calidad. En Alemania hay ms de 1.500 gasolineras que suministran biodiesel, y es ms barato que el diesel ordinario. Tambin se usa mucho en Francia, que es la mayor productora de biodiesel del mundo. Casi todo el diesel fsil que se vende en Francia contiene entre un 2% y un 5% de biodiesel. Esta medida se extender pronto por Europa gracias a las nuevas leyes de la Unin Europea. Algunos Estados de EE.UU. estn creando leyes similares mientras crece el nmero de proveedores. En aquel pas es ms caro el biodiesel que el diesel ordinario, pero las ventas crecen rpidamente y los precios se abaratan con el tiempo. En el Reino
Unido el biodiesel paga menos impuestos que el diesel ordinario y est disponible en el mercado. Si quieres fabricarlo t mismo, hay muchas buenas recetas disponibles para hacer biodiesel de gran calidad, y todas dicen lo mismo que nosotros: algunos de los productos son peligrosos, toma todas las precauciones, y si te quemas, te mutilas, te quedas ciego o te mueres nos sentiremos muy tristes, pero no responsables. No recomendamos nada, la responsabilidad es de cada uno. Por otro lado, mucha gente lo est haciendo; es seguro si t eres cuidadoso y sensato. "Sensato" tambin significa que no tengas demasiado miedo, como algunos: "Me gustara producir biodiesel, pero me dan miedo esos venenos terribles". De hecho son bastante comunes en las casas. La sosa se vende en supermercados y drogueras para limpiar los desages, probablemente haya un bote de sosa bajo el fregadero de la mayora de las casas. El metanol es el componente principal del combustible para barbacoa; tambin es el componente principal del combustible que usan los nios en los motores de sus aeromodelos. Mralo con perspectiva, no tengas demasiado miedo. Consulta Seguridad para ms informacin. Primero aprende tanto como puedas, hay mucha ms informacin disponible. Haz pequeos lotes de prueba antes de intentarlo con cantidades grandes. Hazlo con aceite nuevo antes de intentarlo con aceite usado.
Cmo empezar
Empieza haciendo una prueba con un litro de aceite nuevo y una batidora que puedas estropear, ya que NUNCA debe volver a la cocina (puedes comprar una barata de segunda mano). Tambin puedes probar esto; o mejor, construye un sencillo minireactor. Vamos, hazlo! Compra metanol, sosa custica (leja), aceite de cocina, y adelante. Aqu est la receta. En la prueba usa un litro de aceite en vez de diez litros, y 200 ml de metanol en vez de dos litros, con 3,5 gramos de sosa. Aqu se explica cmo usar la batidora, y aqu cmo mezclar el metxido de sodio (metxido, el mtodo sencillo, y tambin seguro).
El siguiente paso
El siguiente paso es aprender. Ahora tienes que tomar algunas decisiones. En realidad todo es bastante sencillo, miles de personas lo estn haciendo, y muy pocas son profesionales de la qumica. No hay nada que alguien sin conocimientos de qumica no pueda entender, ni nada que no pueda hacer, y hacerlo bien, pero hay mucho que
aprender. Deberas encontrar justo aqu todo lo que necesitas saber. Hemos intentado ponrtelo fcil. Empezars con el proceso ms sencillo (que tiene mayor probabilidad de xito) y avanzars paso a paso siguiendo una secuencia lgica, aadiendo mejoras. Primero te contaremos cmo empezamos nosotros.
El proceso
Los aceites vegetales y las grasas animales son triglicridos, es decir, contienen glicerina. Este proceso transforma los aceites en steres, separando la glicerina, que queda depositada en el fondo del recipiente. El biodiesel puede separarse con un sifn porque flota encima. Esta reaccin qumica se llama transesterificacin. Consiste en sustituir la glicerina del aceite por otro alcohol (metanol) utilizando sosa custica como catalizador. Nosotros usamos metanol para hacer metilsteres. Preferiramos usar etanol porque la mayora del metanol procede de combustibles fsiles (aunque tambin puede obtenerse de la biomasa, por ejemplo de la madera), mientras que el etanol procede de las plantas y puedes destilarlo t mismo, pero la produccin de biodiesel es ms complicada con etanol. (Consulta etilsteres.) El etanol (o alcohol etlico, C2H5OH) tambin tiene varios nombres bien conocidos, como vino, cerveza, vodka..., pero EL METANOL ES UN VENENO MORTAL: primero te deja ciego, despus te mata, y no hace falta mucha cantidad. Tarda un par de horas en matarte, puedes sobrevivir si recibes tratamiento mdico a tiempo. No te desanimes, es fcil hacerlo de forma segura. Todo lo que explicamos aqu es seguro si se hace bien. El metanol tambin es llamado alcohol metlico, alcohol de madera, nafta de madera, espritus de la madera , metil hidrato, carbinol, espritus coloniales, metilol, metil hidrxido, hidroximetano, monohidroximetano, o MeOH (CH3OH o CH4O) -- todos son lo mismo. Pero, confusamente, "metilcarbinol" o "metil carbinol" se usa tanto para el metanol como para el etanol. El alcohol etlico desnaturalizado (95% etlico, 5% metlico) y el alcohol isoproplico no sirven para producir biodiesel. La leja puede ser hidrxido de sodio (sosa custica, NaOH) o hidrxido de potasio (KOH), que es ms fcil de usar, y puede proporcionar fertilizante de potasio como subproducto. El hidrxido de sodio es ms fcil de conseguir y ms barato. Con el hidrxido de potasio el proceso es el mismo, pero hay que usar 1,4 veces ms cantidad que con el hidrxido de sodio. (consulta Ms sobre la leja.)
Puedes comprar KOH a proveedores de productos para la fabricacin de jabn o a proveedores de productos qumicos. Otros productos como el alcohol isoproplico (isopropanol) para la valoracin, Tambin se pueden comprar a proveedores de productos qumicos. ADVERTENCIA: La leja (ya sea NaOH o KOH) es peligrosa. Que no te caiga en los ojos ni en la piel, no respires sus vapores , y mantenla alejada de los alimentos y de los nios. La leja reacciona con el aluminio, el cobre y el zinc. Utiliza para el metxido recipientes de vidrio, esmalte, acero inoxidable o HDPE (polietileno de gran densidad). (Consulta Identificacin de los plsticos.) Consulta tambin Making lye from wood ash.
Nuestro primer biodiesel

Cuando hicimos nuestro primer biodiesel en Hong Kong, hace ms de cinco aos, slo era un proyecto de investigacin. La mayor parte del equipamiento era improvisado. Aparte de los productos qumicos y algunos vasos de precipitacin y jeringas, slo tuvimos que comprar una balanza. Obtuvimos 60 litros de aceite de cocina usado de un McDonald's de la isla de Lantau (Hong Kong). Eran cuatro recipientes de 16 litros, una mezcla de aceite usado con restos de grasa de ternera y de pollo. En dos de los bidones se haba solidificado, los otros dos contenan una pasta semilquida. Lo calentamos un poco en la cocina (hasta 50C) y lo pasamos a travs de un filtro de malla fina, y luego a travs de filtros de papel para caf, aunque ya estaba bastante limpio (quedaron muy pocos restos de comida en los filtros). Para nuestro primer experimento compramos 10 litros del aceite de cocina ms barato que pudimos encontrar. No sabemos de qu tipo era, en las etiquetas slo pona "Aceite de Cocina". Aquel experimento funcion. Hemos aprendido mucho desde Aceite usado de McDonald's. entonces. Ahora nos resulta fcil producir siempre que queramos biodiesel de buena calidad. Ya no usamos recipientes abiertos, ni tampoco debes hacerlo t; debes mezclar el metanol en un contenedor cerrado.
La experiencia, los conocimientos, la tecnologa, el equipamiento, y las medidas de seguridad han mejorado enormemente desde que preparamos nuestro primer biodiesel hace cinco aos, principalmente gracias a la colaboracin de miles de productores de biodiesel de todo el mundo en la lista de correo de los biocombustibles y otros foros de internet. Como dijo un miembro de dicha lista en 2002: "Quiero deciros lo importante que es lo que estis haciendo todos aqu. Los sistemas cerrados para la produccin de biodiesel a escala local o regional, utilizando los recursos de la zona y tecnologas accesibles, y el libre intercambio de la informacin. Es impresionante. Seguid as".
Biodiesel apartir de aceite nuevo
Haz tu primera prueba usando aceite nuevo (fresco, sin cocinar). Sigue las instrucciones que hay ms abajo con un litro de aceite en vez de diez litros, y 200 ml de metanol en vez de dos litros, con 3,5 gramos de leja. Comprueba la calidad de tu biodiesel con este control de calidad bsico.
Tuvimos problemas para encontrar metanol puro en Hong Kong. Finalmente compramos cinco litros a un distribuidor mayorista de productos qumicos, al carsimo precio de 10$ por litro. Consulta Cunto metanol? En EE.UU. para pequeas pruebas se comprar DriGas en una droguera. Una clase de DriGas es metanol, la otra es isopropanol; asegrate que lo que compras es metanol. En nuestra primera prueba usamos 10 litros de aceite, 2 litros de metanol y 3,5 gramos de leja pura granulada (hidrxido de sodio) por cada litro de aceite. Como eran 10 litros de aceite la cantidad total de leja fue de 35 gramos. Lee Ms sobre la leja. Puedes comprar la leja en drogueras. Agita el bote para comprobar que no se ha humedecido, coagulndose y convirtindose en una masa intil, y asegrate de cerrarlo hermticamente. Tuvimos que darnos mucha prisa en medir los 35 gramos de leja y volver a tapar el bote (en Hong Kong la humedad estival suele ser del 80% y la temperatura de 30 C o ms). La leja se humedece rpidamente y pierde su eficacia. Mezclamos la leja con los dos litros de metanol en una robusta botella de vidrio con el cuello estrecho para evitar salpicaduras. La
mezcla comenz a desprender gases y a calentarse; la reaccin se complet en quince minutos. Consulta Metxido, el mtodo sencillo. El metxido hay que mezclarlo en recipientes cerrados. El resultado de la reaccin es metxido de sodio, una base extremadamente corrosiva que se divierte comiendo carne humana. Utiliza todas las medidas de seguridad cuando trabajes con metxido de sodio. Ten cerca un grifo de agua corriente. Mientras tanto habamos calentado los diez litros de aceite en un cubo de acero hasta 40 C (104 F) con el fin de diluirlo y que se mezclara mejor con el metxido. La temperatura ptima para este proceso es de 55 C (131 F). No calientes demasiado porque el metanol se Midori comprueba la temperatura evaporara (hierve a 64,7 C, del aceite. 148,5 F). Habamos construido un armazn de madera que sostena una taladradora con un mezclador de pintura. Funcion bien y sin salpicar. Echamos con cuidado el metxido de sodio en el cubo del aceite. La reaccin comenz inmediatamente formando dos productos: glicerina en el fondo del cubo y biodiesel flotando sobre la glicerina. Seguimos revolviendo durante una hora a temperatura constante y lo dejamos reposar toda la noche. Al da siguiente aspiramos del cubo 10 litros de biodiesel, quedando en el fondo dos litros de glicerina.
Biodiesel a partir de aceite usado

Es ms interesante hacer el biodiesel a partir de aceite usado, y tambin ms difcil. Primero comprueba la cantidad de agua. El aceite usado est mezclado con algo de agua, y sta puede afectar a la leja, especialmente si pones demasiada leja. Se formara una gelatina. Para saber cunta agua hay en el aceite calienta medio litro en una cacerola y mide la temperatura con un termmetro. Si hay agua empezar a crepitar y chisporrotear a 50 C (120 F) o menos. Consulta Quitar el agua. Si no chisporrotea a los 60 C (140 F) no ser necesario secar el aceite. Aqu hay otro mtodo, de Aleks Kac. Necesita menos energa y no hay riesgo de que se formen cidos grasos libres por exceso de calor (mira ms abajo). Calienta el aceite hasta 60 C (140 F), mantn esa temperatura durante quince minutos y vierte el aceite en otro
recipiente para que repose al menos 24 horas. El 90% del contenido es aceite que puedes usar. El 10% restante (lo que hay en el fondo) es agua que no debes mezclar de nuevo con el aceite. El aceite usado necesita ms catalizador que el aceite nuevo para neutralizar los cidos grasos libres (AGL) que se forman al cocinar el aceite e interfieren en transesterificacin. Tienes que hacer una valoracin para determinar el contenido de AGL que hay en el aceite y cunta leja necesitars para neutralizarlos. Esto es determinar el pH, o nivel cido-base. El valor 7 es neutro, valores inferiores aumentan la acidez, y valores superiores la reducen. Lo mejor es usar un medidor de pH electrnico, o bien tiras de comprobacin del pH (papel tornasol), o solucin de fenolftalena. Tambin pensamos en usar zumo de repollo rojo, que cambia de rojo en un cido fuerte, a rosa, prpura, azul, y finalmente verde en una base fuerte (Consulta Natural test papers). No tenamos medidor de pH, as que utilizamos solucin de fenolftalena. La fenolftalena es incolora con pH inferior a 8,3, luego se vuelve rosa (o ms bien magenta), y roja con pH 10,4. Disuelve un gramo de leja en un litro de agua destilada (solucin de leja al 0,1%). En un vaso de precipitados pequeo disuelve 1 ml de aceite en 10 ml de alcohol isoproplico puro. Calienta el vaso de precipitados al bao mara y remueve hasta que todo el aceite se halla disuelto. Aade Keith comprueba el pH del aceite dos gotas de solucin de usado. fenolftalena. Con una jeringa graduada pon solucin de leja al 0,1%, gota a gota, en la solucin de aceite-alcohol-fenolftalena. Agita todo el tiempo hasta que la solucin se vuelva rosa y mantenga el color durante 10 segundos. Anota el n de ml de solucin de leja que has usado y suma 3,5 al n de gramos de leja por litro de aceite. (Consulta Valoracin mejorada.) De nuestra primera valoracin obtuvimos un resultado de 6 ml de solucin de leja al 0,1% (no muy buen aceite), as que usamos 6 + 3,5 = 9,5 gramos de leja por litro de aceite: 95 gramos para 10 litros. Despus procede como con el aceite nuevo: mide la cantidad de leja que necesites y mzclala con el metanol. Se calentar y tardar ms en reaccionar porque esta vez hay ms leja. Asegrate de que la leja se disuelve totalmente. Aade con cuidado el metxido de sodio al aceite caliente mientras lo
revuelves, y sigue revolviendo durante una hora. Deja que la mezcla repose toda la noche y aspira el biodiesel con un sifn. Las cinco primeras pruebas fueron de diez litros de aceite usado cada una; tres veces conseguimos biodiesel (algo ms oscuro que el de aceite nuevo) y glicerina, y las otras dos se form gelatina. Ten cuidado con la valoracin, hazla dos veces, slo para asegurarte. Sigue leyendo y aprenders cmo conseguir un biodiesel de gran calidad cada vez que lo intentes. La produccin fue menor que con el aceite nuevo, con 8-9 litros de biodiesel en vez de 10. El mtodo cido-base (mtodo infalible), desarrollado desde entonces, permite obtener una produccin mucho mayor con aceite que ya tiene mucho uso. Comprueba la calidad de tu biodiesel con este control de calidad bsico. Para una descripcin ms detallada de la produccin de biodiesel a partir de aceite de cocina usado consulta el mtodo de Mike Pelly.
Lavado
Hay que lavar el biodiesel para quitarle el jabn, el metanol, la leja, la glicerina y otras impurezas. Algunos (cada da menos) insisten en que no hace falta lavarlo, argumentando que unas pocas impurezas no daan el motor. Lee lo que tienen que decir sobre esas impurezas los Fabricantes de Equipos de Inyeccin de Combustible (Delphi, Stanadyne, Denso, Bosch): Resumen -- html Documento completo -- Archivo Acrobat, 104 Kb Consulta tambin: Determinacin de la Influencia de los Contaminantes en las Propiedades del Biodiesel, Jon H. Van Gerpen et al., Iowa State University, 32 de julio de 1996 -- Reportaje de 12.000 palabras sobre las impurezas y sus efectos. Archivo Acrobat, 2,1 Mb: http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/reports/gen/ gen014.pdf Para que el biodiesel sea de buena calidad hay que lavarlo. Filtrarlo no sirve de nada, ni tampoco dejarlo reposar varias semanas. De todas formas lavarlo es fcil y merece la pena. Consulta: lavado
Usando biodiesel
No es necesario modificar el motor para que funcione con biodiesel, pero hay que hacer ajustes y comprobar algunas cosas. Retarda el tiempo de inyeccin dos o tres grados para compensar el hecho de que el biodiesel tiene mayor nmero de cetanos. Eso tambin hace que el combustible arda a menor temperatura y reduce las emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno. El diesel mineral deja mucha suciedad en el depsito y el sistema de combustible. El biodiesel es un buen disolvente. Desprende la suciedad y la arrastra. Al principio revisa regularmente los filtros del combustible. Empieza con un filtro nuevo. Comprueba que no hay piezas de caucho natural en el sistema de distribucin de combustible. Si las hay reemplzalas. El Vitn es mejor. Consulta: El biodiesel y tu vehculo.
Seguridad
Ponte guantes adecuados, delantal y gafas protectoras, y no respires los vapores. El metanol puede causar ceguera y la muerte; no debes beberlo por ningn motivo. Es absorbido por la piel. El hidrxido de sodio puede causar quemaduras graves y la muerte. Cuando se mezclan estos dos productos forman metxido de sodio. Es un producto extremadamente custico (corrosivo). Son productos peligrosos, trtalos con cuidado! Los guantes deben ser resistentes a los productos qumicos y largos para que cubran las mangas y as los brazos queden totalmente protegidos. No sirve cualquier guante. Ten siempre agua corriente cerca cuando manipules estos productos. El lugar de trabajo debe estar muy bien ventilado. No puede haber cerca personas ajenas al proceso ni nios ni mascotas. Los respiradores con cartucho para gases orgnicos son ms o menos tiles contra los vapores del metanol. Los profesionales aconsejan usar los cartuchos contra gases orgnicos como mximo durante unas pocas horas, o no usarlos en absoluto. Slo deben usarse sistemas con suministro de aire (SCBA -- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). El mejor consejo es que no te expongas directamente a los gases. El mayor peligro es el metanol caliente. Cuando est fro o a temperatura ambiente desprende muy pocos gases y es fcil ventilarlos. No uses reactores abiertos. Los reactores para biodiesel deben estar cerrados, sin escapes de gases. Todos los recipientes que contienen metanol deben estar cerrados hermticamente para que no entre la humedad del aire. Nosotros pasamos el metanol de su embase al mezclador de metxido bombeando, sin que tenga contacto con el aire. Es fcil de hacer, sirve
cualquier bomba de acuario (la misma que usas para lavar el biodiesel). El metxido se mezcla de esta forma: Metxido, el mtodo sencillo, que es la forma segura de hacerlo. Se calienta bastante al principio, pero el recipiente est cerrado y no salen gases. Tras la mezcla el metxido es bombeado al reactor (tambin cerrado) con la bomba de acuario. No escapa ningn gas y el lquido se traspasa lentamente, lo que es beneficioso tanto para el proceso como para la seguridad. Consulta Adding the methoxide. Producir biodiesel es seguro si t eres cuidadoso (o cuidadosa) y sensato (o sensata). "Sensato" tambin significa que no tengas demasiado miedo, como algunos: "Me gustara producir biodiesel, pero me dan miedo todos esos venenos terribles". De hecho son bastante comunes en las casas. La sosa se vende en supermercados y drogueras para limpiar los desages, probablemente haya un bote de sosa bajo el fregadero de la mayora de las casas. El metanol es el componente principal del combustible para barbacoa; tambin es el componente principal del combustible que usan los nios en los motores de sus aeromodelos. Mralo con perspectiva: se prudente con los productos qumicos, pero no les tengas miedo. Para el riesgo de incendio consulta: Riesgos Siguiente: Haz tu propio biodiesel -- Pgina 2
Biocombustibles
Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodiesel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodiesel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodiesel Biodiesel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodiesel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible
Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
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Make your own biodiesel: Journey to Forever
Make your own biodiesel

Spanish version -- Versin en espaol Anybody can make biodiesel. It's easy, you can make it in your kitchen -- and it's BETTER than the petro-diesel fuel the big oil companies sell you. Your diesel motor will run better and last longer on your home-made fuel, and it's much cleaner -- better for the environment and better for health. If you make it from used cooking oil it's not only cheap but you'll be recycling a troublesome waste product. Best of all is the GREAT feeling of freedom, independence and empowerment it will give you. Here's how to do it -- everything you need to know. Three choices 1. Mixing it 2. Straight vegetable oil 3. Biodiesel or SVO? Biodiesel Where do I start? What's next? The process Make your first test batch Our first biodiesel Biodiesel from new oil Biodiesel from waste oil Moving on to bigger things Scaling up Removing the water Washing Using biodiesel Safety More about methanol How much methanol? Ethyl esters -- making ethanol biodiesel Reclaiming excess methanol
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More about lye Using KOH How much lye to use? Basic titration Better titration Accurate measurements Joe Street's titrator pH meters Phenolphthalein pH meters vs phenolphthalein High FFA levels Deacidifying WVO No titration? The basic lye quantity -- 3.5 grams? Mixing the methoxide Stock methoxide solution Poor man's titration How much glycerine? Why isn't it solid? PET bottle mixers Viscosity testing How the process works Animal fats, tallow and lard What are Free Fatty Acids? Iodine Values -- High Iodine Values -- Talking about the weather -- Summary Hydrogenated oil, shortening, margarine Oxidation and polymerisation Which method to use? Why can't I start with the Foolproof method? Quality Quality testing Cetane Numbers National standards for biodiesel -- standards and the homebrewer -- standard testing Biodiesel in gasoline engines Storing biodiesel Home heating Lamps and stoves
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Three choices
There are at least three ways to run a diesel engine on biofuel using vegetable oils, animal fats or both. All three are used with both fresh and used oils.
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Use the oil just as it is -- usually called SVO fuel (straight vegetable oil); Mix it with kerosene (paraffin) or petroleum diesel fuel, or with biodiesel, or blend it with a solvent, or with gasoline; Convert it to biodiesel.
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The first two methods sound easiest, but, as so often in life, it's not quite that simple.
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1. Mixing it
Vegetable oil is much more viscous (thicker) than either petrodiesel or biodiesel. The purpose of mixing it or blending it with other fuels is to lower the viscosity to make it thinner so that it flows more freely through the fuel system into the combustion chamber. If you're mixing veg-oil with petroleum diesel or kerosene (same as #1 diesel) you're still using fossil-fuel -- cleaner than most, but still not clean enough, many would say. Still, for every gallon of vegetable oil you use, that's one gallon of fossil-fuel saved, and that much less climate-changing carbon in the atmosphere. People use various mixes, ranging from 10% vegetable oil and 90% petro-diesel to 90% vegetable oil and 10% petro-diesel. Some people just use it that way, start up and go, without preheating it (which makes veg-oil much thinner), or even use pure vegetable oil without pre-heating it, which would make it much thinner. You might get away with it with an older Mercedes 5-cylinder IDI diesel, which is a very tough and tolerant motor -- it won't like it but you probably won't kill it. Otherwise, it's not wise.
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To do it properly you'll need what amounts to an SVO system with fuel pre-heating anyway, preferably using pure petro-diesel or biodiesel for starts and stops. (See next.) In which case there's no need for the mixes. Blends with various solvents and/or with unleaded gasoline are "experimental at best", little or nothing is known about their effects on the combustion characteristics of the fuel or their longterm effects on the engine. Higher viscosity is not the only problem with using vegetable oil as fuel. Veg-oil has different chemical properties and combustion characteristics from the petroleum diesel fuel for which diesel engines and their fuel systems are designed. Diesel engines are high-tech machines with very precise fuel requirements, especially the more modern, cleaner-burning diesels (see The TDI-SVO controversy). They're tough but they'll only take so much abuse. There's no guarantee of it, but using a blend of up to 20% veg-oil of good quality is said to be safe enough for older diesels, especially in summer. Otherwise using veg-oil fuel needs either a professional SVO solution or biodiesel. Mixes and blends are generally a poor compromise. But mixes do have an advantage in cold weather. As with biodiesel, some kerosene or winterised petro-diesel fuel mixed with straight vegetable oil lowers the temperature at which it starts to gel. (See Using biodiesel in winter) More about fuel mixing and blends.
2. Straight vegetable oil

Straight vegetable oil fuel (SVO) systems can be a clean, effective and economical option. Unlike biodiesel, with SVO you have to modify the engine. The best way is to fit a professional single-tank SVO system with replacement injectors and glowplugs optimised for veg-oil, as well as fuel heating. With the German Elsbett single-tank SVO system for instance you can use petro-diesel, biodiesel or SVO, in any combination. Just start up and go, stop and switch off, like any other car. Journey to Forever's Toyota TownAce van uses an Elsbett single-tank system. More
There are also two-tank SVO systems which pre-heat the oil to make it thinner. You have to start the engine on ordinary petroleum diesel or biodiesel in one tank and then switch to SVO in the other tank when the veg-oil is hot enough, and switch back to petro- or biodiesel before you stop the engine, or you'll coke up the injectors. More information on straight vegetable oil systems here.
3. Biodiesel or SVO?
Biodiesel has some clear advantages over SVO: it works in any diesel, without any conversion or modifications to the engine or the fuel system -- just put it in and go. It also has better coldweather properties than SVO (but not as good as petro-diesel -see Using biodiesel in winter). Unlike SVO, it's backed by many long-term tests in many countries, including millions of miles on the road. Biodiesel is a clean, safe, ready-to-use, alternative fuel, whereas it's fair to say that many SVO systems are still experimental and need further development. On the other hand, biodiesel can be more expensive, depending how much you make, what you make it from and whether you're comparing it with new oil or used oil (and depending on where you live). And unlike SVO, it has to be processed first. But the large and rapidly growing worldwide band of homebrewers don't mind -- they make a supply every week or once a month and soon get used to it. Many have been doing it for years. Anyway you have to process SVO too, especially WVO (waste vegetable oil, used, cooked), which many people with SVO systems use because it's cheap or free for the taking. With WVO food particles and impurities and water must be removed, and it probably should be deacidified too. Biodieselers say, "If I'm going to have to do all that I might as well make biodiesel instead." But SVO types scoff at that -- it's much less processing than making biodiesel, they say. To each his own.
x Biodiesel
Needs Guaranteed processing trouble-free Yes Yes*
Engine conversion No
Cost
Smaller outlay Cheaper SVO/ Less No Yes in the WVO long-run * Fuel filters might need changing in the first couple of weeks; fuel hoses or seals on some older diesels might need changing. See Biodiesel and your vehicle Costs and prices: Biodieselers using waste oil feedstock make biodiesel for 50 cents to US$1 per US gallon. Most people in the US use about 600 gallons of fuel a year (about 10 gallons a week) -- say US$1,700 a year (Sept 05). Biodieselers will be paying $300-360 for their fuel, while a good processor can be set up for around $100 up. An SVO system costs from about $500 to $1,200 or more. So with an SVO system you'll be ahead of fossilfuel prices within a year, not a long time in the life of a diesel motor, but you're probably still behind the biodieselers. Will the engine last as long with SVO? Yes, if you use a good system. Recommendations, and much more, here. (Note: Small quantities of methanol can cost the equivalent of US $8 to $10 per US gallon, but experienced biodieselers invariably buy it in bulk for about $2-3 per gallon.)
Biodiesel
Converting the oil to biodiesel is probably the best all-round solution of the three options (or we think so anyway). You could simply buy your biodiesel. Most major European vehicle manufacturers now provide vehicle warranties covering the use of pure biodiesel -- though that might not be just any biodiesel. Some insist on "RME", rapeseed methyl esters, and won't cover use of soy biodiesel (which isn't covered by the Euro biodiesel standard). Germany has thousands of filling stations supplying biodiesel, and it's cheaper there than ordinary diesel fuel. All fossil diesel fuel sold in France contains between 2% and 5% biodiesel. New EU laws will soon require this Europewide. Some states in the US are legislating similar requirements. There's a growing number of US suppliers and sales are rising fast, though biodiesel is more expensive than ordinary diesel in
the US. In the UK biodiesel is taxed less than petrodiesel and it's available commercially. But there's a lot to be said for the GREAT feeling of independence you'll get from making your own fuel! If you want to make it yourself, there are several good recipes available for making high-quality biodiesel, and they say what we also say: some of these chemicals are dangerous, take full safety precautions, and if you burn/maim/blind/kill yourself or anyone else, that will make us very sad, but not liable -- we don't recommend anything, it's nobody's responsibility but your own. On the other hand, nobody has yet burned/maimed/blinded/killed themselves or anyone else making homebrewed biodiesel. Large numbers of ordinary people all over the world are making their own biodiesel, it's been going on for years, and so far there have been NO serious accidents. It's safe if you're careful and sensible. "Sensible" also means not over-reacting, as some people do: "I'd like to make biodiesel but I'm frightened of all those terrible poisons." In fact they're common enough household chemicals. Lye is sold in supermarkets and hardware stores as a draincleaner, there's probably a can of it under the sink in most households. Methanol is the main or only ingredient in barbecue fuel or fondue fuel, often sold in supermarkets and chain stores as "stove fuel" and used at the dinner table; it's also the main ingredient in the fuel kids use in their model aero engines. So get it in perspective, there's no need to be frightened. See Safety and More about methanol for further information. Learn as much as you can first -- lots of information is available. Make small test batches before you try large batches (see also Test-batch mini-processor). Make it with fresh oil before you try waste oil -- see next.
Where do I start?
Start with the process, NOT with the processor. The processor comes later. Start with the new fresh oil, NOT with waste vegetable oil (WVO), that also comes later. Start by making a test batch of biodiesel in a blender using 1 litre of fresh new oil. If you don't have a spare blender, either get a
cheap second-hand one, or, better, make a simple Test-batch mini-processor. Keep going, step by step. Study everything on this page and the next page and at the links in the text. There are checks and tests along the way so you won't go wrong. Go on, do it! Thousands and thousands of others have done it, so can you. Get some methanol, some lye and some new oil at the supermarket and go ahead -- it's a real thrill! Here's the recipe. Or just keep reading, you'll get to the recipe in a minute anyway.
What's next?
Learn, one step at a time. It's all quite simple really, very few biodiesel homebrewers are chemists or technicians, there's nothing a layman can't understand, and do, and do it well. But there is a lot to learn. You'll find everything you need to know right here. We've tried to make it easy for you. You start off with the simplest process that has the best chance of success and move on step by step in a logical progression, adding more advanced features as you go.
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"I am a pipe welder who knew nothing about chemistry but I have learned a lot from this website. It's set up for someone who has never had a chemistry class (me). If I can understand this anyone can." -- Marty, Biofuel mailing list, 23 Oct 2005 "For anyone starting out or still in the R&D phase of scaling up and tweaking the process to improve quality, disregard anything other than the tried and tested directions at JtF. Print them out. Read them and then reread them. Follow the instructions, don't add or subtract anything and you will be making quality biodiesel." -Tom, Biofuel mailing list, 5 Nov 2005 "My best advice is to follow explicitly the instructions on the J2F website starting from the begining and you will do just fine. In my own journey of discovery I learned this. You cannot afford to cut corners. Don't be tempted to use less than accurate measures and think that it will be alright. There is no cheating." -- Joe, Biofuel mailing list, 4 Jan 2006
This is how it works -- comment from a Biofuel list member: "Your website is very well done. I appreciate the layers of technical complexity. You have progressively more technical information layered in an escalating and logical fashion. I like the links as each new item is introduced, the user can click for more specific information on a topic and it opens in a new window. This eliminates the tediousness of having to constantly backtrack to where the new concept was introduced."
The process
Vegetable oils and animal fats are triglycerides, containing glycerine. The biodiesel process turns the oils and fats into esters, separating out the glycerine. The glycerine sinks to the bottom and the biodiesel floats on top and can be syphoned off. The process is called transesterification, which substitutes alcohol for the glycerine in a chemical reaction, using lye as a catalyst. See How the process works Chemicals needed The alcohol used can be either methanol, which makes methyl esters, or ethanol (ethyl esters). Most methanol comes from fossil fuels (though it can also be made from biomass, such as wood), while most ethanol is plant-based (though it is also made from petroleum) and you can distill it yourself. There is as yet no "backyard" method of producing methanol. But the biodiesel process using ethanol is more difficult than with methanol, it's not for beginners. (See Ethyl esters.) Ethanol (or ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol -- EtOH, C2H5OH) also goes by various other well-known names, such as whisky, vodka, gin, and so on, but methanol is a poison. Actually they're both poisons, it's just a matter of degree, methanol is more poisonous. But don't be put off -- methanol is not dangerous if you're careful, it's easy to do this safely. Safety is built-in to everything you'll read here. See Safety. See More about methanol. Methanol is also called methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha, wood spirits, methyl hydrate (or "stove fuel"), carbinol, colonial spirits, Columbian spirits, Manhattan spirits, methylol, methyl hydroxide, hydroxymethane, monohydroxymethane,
pyroxylic spirit, or MeOH (CH3OH or CH4O) -- all the same thing. (But, confusingly, "methylcarbinol" or "methyl carbinol" is used for both methanol and ethanol.) You can usually get methanol from bulk liquid fuels distributors; in the US try getting it at race tracks. With a bit of patience, most people in most countries manage to track down a source of methanol for about US$2-3 per US gallon. For small amounts, you can use "DriGas" fuel antifreeze, one type is methanol (eg "HEET" in the yellow container), another is isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol, rubbing alcohol), make sure to get the methanol one. Methanol is also sold in supermarkets and chain stores as "stove fuel" for barbecues and fondues, but check the contents -- not all "stove fuel" is methanol, it could also be "white gas", basically gasoline. It must be pure methanol or it won't work for making biodiesel. See Methanol suppliers Methylated spirits (denatured ethanol) doesn't work; isopropanol also doesn't work. The lye catalyst can be either potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, NaOH). NaOH is often easier to get and it's cheaper to use. KOH is easier to use, and it does a better job. Experienced biodieselers making top-quality fuel usually use KOH, and so do the commercial producers. (KOH can also provide potash fertiliser as a by-product of the biodiesel process.) With KOH, the process is the same, but you need to use 1.4 times as much (1.4025). (See More about lye.) You can get both KOH and NaOH from soapmakers' suppliers and from chemicals suppliers. NaOH is used as drain-cleaner and you can get it from hardware stores. It has to be pure NaOH. Shake the container to check it hasn't absorbed moisture and coagulated into a useless mass, and make sure to keep it airtight. The Red Devil-brand NaOH lye drain-cleaner previously sold in the US is no longer made. Don't use Drano or ZEP drain-cleaners or equivalents with blue or purple granules or any-coloured granules, it's only about half NaOH and it contains aluminium -http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html (10 de 32)04/12/2006 11:29:47 a.m.
it won't work for biodiesel. CAUTION: Lye (both NaOH and KOH) is dangerous -- don't get it on your skin or in your eyes, don't breathe any fumes, keep the whole process away from food, and right away from children. Lye reacts with aluminium, tin and zinc. Use HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), glass, enamel or stainless steel containers for methoxide. (See Identifying plastics.) See Safety See also Making lye from wood ash. Chemicals for WVO Isopropanol for titration is available from chemicals suppliers. Some people have used the other kind of Dri-Gas, which is isopropanol, but they found that it's unreliable. Best get 99% pure isopropanol from a chemicals supplier. 70% pure isopropanol is also said to work, but we found it didn't give satisfactory results. Contrary to rumour, "phenol red", sold by pool supply stores and used for checking water, won't work for titrating WVO, its pH range isn't broad enough. Use phenolphthalein indicator, specifically 1% phenolphthalein solution (1.0w/v%) with 95% ethanol. Phenolphthalein lasts about a year. It's sensitive to light, store it in a cool, dark place. You can get it from chemicals suppliers. See: Phenolphthalein
Make your first test batch

Here's what you need:
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1 litre of new vegetable oil, whatever the supermarket sells as cooking oil 200 ml of methanol, 99+% pure lye catalyst -- either potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) blender or mini-processor scales accurate to 0.1 grams, preferably less -- 0.01 grams is best measuring beakers for methanol and oil half-litre translucent white HDPE (#2 plastic) container with bung and screw-on cap 2 funnels to fit the HDPE container

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2-litre PET bottle (water or soft-drinks bottle) for settling two 2-litre PET bottles for washing duct tape thermometer
See Accurate measurements All equipment should be clean and dry. For methanol, you can use "DriGas" fuel antifreeze from an automotive store. One type of DriGas is methanol, another is isopropanol, make sure to get the methanol one. Also try "stove fuel" from hardware stores or home centres (but check the contents to make sure it's pure methanol, it could also be "white gas", which is gasoline and doesn't work), or try a chemicals supply company. See Methanol suppliers You can get lye at hardware stores, or from soapmakers' suppliers (try online). KOH lye works better than NaOH. "Red Devil" lye drain-cleaner is no longer made. Don't use Drano or ZEP drain-cleaners or equivalents with blue or purple granules or any-coloured granules, it's only about half NaOH and it contains aluminium, it won't work for biodiesel. Shake the container to check it hasn't absorbed moisture and coagulated into a useless mass, and make sure to keep it airtight. 1. Safety Read and observe the Safety instructions below. 2. Lye You need to be quick when measuring out the lye because it very rapidly absorbs water from the atmosphere and water interferes with the biodiesel reaction. Measure the lye out into a handy-sized lightweight plastic bag on the scales (or even do the whole thing entirely inside a big clear plastic bag), then close the lid of the container firmly and close the plastic bag, winding it up so there's not much air in it with the lye and no more air can get in. Have exactly the same kind of bag on the other side of the scale to balance the weight, or adjust the scale for the weight of the bag. How much to use. NaOH must be at least 96% pure, use exactly 3.5 grams. If you're using KOH it depends on the strength. If it's 99% pure (rare) use exactly 4.9 grams (4.90875).
If it's 92% pure (more common) use 5.3 grams (5.33). If it's 85% pure (also common) use 5.8 grams (5.775). Any strength of KOH from 85% or stronger will work. 3. Mixing the methoxide Use the "Methoxide the easy way" method -- it's also the safe way. Here's how to do it. Measure out 200 ml of methanol and pour it into the half-litre HDPE container via the funnel. Methanol also absorbs water from the atmosphere so do it quickly and replace the lid of the methanol container tightly. Don't be too frightened of methanol, if you're working at ordinary room temperature and you keep it at arm's length you won't be exposed to dangerous fumes. See More about methanol. Carefully add the lye to the HDPE container via the second funnel. Replace the bung and the screw on the cap tightly. Shake the container a few times -- swirl it round rather than shaking it up and down. The mixture gets hot from the reaction. If you swirl it thoroughly for a minute or so five or six times over a period of time the lye will completely dissolve in the methanol, forming sodium methoxide or potassium methoxide. As soon as the liquid is clear with no undissolved particles you can begin the process. The more you swirl the container the faster the lye will dissolve. With NaOH it can take from overnight to a few hours to as little as half-an-hour with lots of swirling (but don't be impatient, wait for ALL the lye to dissolve). Mixing KOH is much faster, it dissolves in the methanol more easily than NaOH and can be ready for use in 10 minutes. 4. The process Using a blender. Use a spare blender you don't need or get a cheap secondhand one -- cheap because it might not last very long, but it will get you going until you build something better. Check that the blender seals are in good order. Make sure all parts of the blender are clean and dry and that the blender components are tightly fitted. Pre-heat the oil to 55 deg C (130 deg F) and pour it into the blender.
With the blender still switched off, carefully pour the prepared methoxide from the HDPE container into the oil. Secure the blender lid tightly and switch on. Lower speeds should be enough. Blend for at least 20 minutes. Using a mini-processor. Follow the instructions here and improvise where necessary -- there are many ways of building a processor like this. Proceed with processing as above, maintain temperature at 55 deg C (130 deg F), process for one hour. 4. Transfer As soon as the process is completed, pour the mixture from the blender or the mini-processor into the 2-litre PET bottle for settling and screw on the lid tightly. (As the mixture cools it will contract and you might have to let some more air into the bottle later.) 5. Settling Allow to settle for 12-24 hours. Darker-coloured glycerine by-product will collect in a distinct layer at the bottom of the bottle, with a clear line of separation from the pale liquid above, which is the biodiesel. The biodiesel varies somewhat in colour according to the oil used (and so does the by-product layer at the bottom) but usually it's pale and yellowish (usedoil biodiesel can be darker and more amber). The biodiesel might be clear or it might still be cloudy, which is not a problem. It will clear eventually but there's no need to wait. Carefully decant the top layer of biodiesel into a clean jar or PET bottle, taking care not to get any of the glycerine layer mixed
Freshly made biodiesel, 20 minutes after processing
up with the biodiesel. If you do, re-settle and try again. 6. Quality Proceed to the wash-test to check the quality. If your biodiesel doesn't pass the test, here's what to do next. 7. Washing If it passes the wash-test then wash the rest of the biodiesel. See Washing. For washing use the two 2-litre PET bottles in succession, with half a litre of tap water added for each of the three or four washes required. Pierce a small 2mm hole in the bottom corner of each of the two bottles and cover the hole securely with duct tape. Pour the biodiesel into one of the wash bottles. Add the half-litre of fresh water. a. Bubble-washing. See instructions here. Use a small aquarium air-pump and an air-bubbler stone -- cut the threaded lid off the wash bottles if necessary to get the stone in. After washing and settling, drain off the water from the bottom of the bottle by removing the duct tape from the hole. Block it again with your finger when it reaches the biodiesel. Transfer the biodiesel to the second wash bottle, add fresh water and wash again. Clean the first bottle and replace the duct tape. Repeat until finished. b. Stirring. See instructions here. If you have a small enough paint stirrer and a variable-speed drill, cut the lids off the bottles as above to accommodate the stirrer. Stir until oil and water are well mixed and appear homogenous. Settle for two hours or more, drain as above for bubble-washing, repeat until finished. If you don't have a stirrer, don't cut the lids off the wash bottles. Add the biodiesel and the water as above. Screw the cap on tightly. Turn the bottle on its side and roll it about with your hands until oil and water are well mixed and homogenous. Settle, drain as above for bubble-washing, repeat until finished. 8. Drying When it's clear (not colourless but translucent) it's dry and ready to use. It might clear quickly, or it might take a few days or up to a week. If you're in a hurry, heat it gently to 48 deg C (120 deg F) and allow to cool.
9. Congratulations! You have just made high-quality diesel fuel. Say goodbye to ExxonMobil & Co., you don't need them anymore. 10. Read on! Next step
Our first biodiesel

This was just an investigative project for us when we made our first biodiesel more than seven years ago in Hong Kong. Most of the equipment was rough and improvised. Apart from chemicals and some beakers, syringes and so on, the only thing we bought was a set of scales. We got about 60 litres of used cooking oil from Lantau Island's local McDonald's. There were four 16litre cans of it, a mix of used cooking oil and residual beef and chicken fats. Two of the tins were solidified, the other two held a gloppy semi-liquid. We warmed it up a bit on the stove (to about 50 deg C, 122 deg F) and filtered it through a fine mesh filter, and then again through coffee filter papers, but it was quite clean -- very little food residue was left in the filters. We'd also bought 10 litres of the cheapest new cooking oil we could find -- we don't know what kind of oil it was, the tins only said "Cooking Oil" -- and we used this for our first experiment.
Used cooking oil from McDonald's. It worked, though two of our first six batches failed. We've learnt a lot since then. Now it's easy to make high-quality biodiesel every time without fail. And we don't use open containers for processing now, and neither should you (see Safety, see Processors) -- and mix the methanol in closed containers too.
Simple, safe, efficient biodiesel processors you can build cheaply and easily
Practices, knowledge, technology, equipment and safety measures have all improved tremendously in the years since we brewed our first batch, thanks mainly to the collaborative work of thousands of biofuellers worldwide at the Biofuel mailing list and other Internet forums, using the growing body of information at our website and others. As a Biofuel list member said in 2002: "I just want to say how important what you all are doing here is. Closed-system fuel production, on a local or small regional scale, tied to local resources, using accessible technologies, and dependent on entrepreneurial innovation combined with open-source information exchange -- it's AWESOME. Keep up the good work everyone, before the planet fries."
Biodiesel from new oil
Make your first test-batch using one litre of new oil (fresh, uncooked). Follow the instructions above. Check the quality of your biodiesel with this basic quality test.
We had difficulty finding pure methanol in Hong Kong, and eventually paid the very high price of US$10 per litre for 5 litres
from a wholesale chemical supply company. It has to be 99% pure or better. (See Methanol suppliers) We used sodium lye drain-cleaner (NaOH, sodium hydroxide) bought in small plastic containers at a local hardware store, not always very fresh. (We recommend using potassium hydroxide, KOH, instead of NaOH. See More about lye.) We used 2 litres of methanol to 10 litres of vegetable oil, and 3.5 grams of NaOH per litre of oil -- 35 grams for 10 litres. (It's better to start with smaller one-litre test batches.) We had to be quick measuring out the 35 grams of lye required. Lye is very hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture from the air; summer humidity in Hong Kong is usually about 80% at 30 deg C or more, and the lye rapidly got wet, making it less effective. (See More about lye.) We mixed the lye with the 2 litres of methanol in a strong, heatproof glass bottle with a narrow neck to prevent splashing. It fumed and got hot, and took about 15 minutes to mix. (Use closed containers for mixing methoxide! See above, Mixing the methoxide. This mixture is sodium methoxide, a powerful corrosive base -take full safety precautions when working with sodium methoxide, have a source of running water handy. Meanwhile we'd warmed the 10 litres of new oil in a 20-litre steel oil drum to about 40 deg C (104 deg F) to thin it so it mixed better (55 deg C, 131 deg F, is a better processing temperature). Don't let it get too hot or the methanol will evaporate. (Methanol boils at 64.7 deg C, 148.5 deg F.)
Midori checks the temperature of the oil.
We'd made a wooden jig with a portable vice clamped to it holding a power drill fitted with a paint mixer to stir the contents of the oil drum. This did a good job without splashing. (Not advised, it's dangerous to use sparking electric motors such as those in drills for processing with open containers. See "Simple
5-gallon processor" for a much better way.) Stirring well, we carefully added the sodium methoxide to the oil. The reaction started immediately, the mixture rapidly transforming into a clear, golden liquid. We kept stirring for an hour, keeping the temperature constant. Then we let it settle overnight. The next day we syphoned off 10 litres of biodiesel, leaving two litres of glycerine by-product in the bottom of the drum.
Biodiesel from waste oil

This is more appealing than using new oil, but it's also more complicated. First, check for water content. Used oil often has some water in it, and it has to be removed before processing. See Removing the water, below. Refined fats and oils have a Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content of less than 0.1%. FFAs are formed in cooking the oil, and they interfere with the transesterification process for making biodiesel. With waste oil you have to use more lye catalyst to neutralise the FFAs. The extra lye turns the FFAs into soap which drops out of the reaction along with the glycerine byproduct. It's essential to titrate the oil to determine the FFA content and calculate how much extra lye will be required to neutralise it. This means determining the pH -- the acid-alkaline level (pH7 is neutral, lower values are increasingly acidic, higher than 7 is alkaline). An electronic pH meter is best, but you can also use pH test strips (or litmus paper), or, better than test strips, phenolphthalein solution (from a chemicals supplier). You can also use red cabbage juice, which changes from red in a strong acid, to pink, purple, blue, and finally green in a strong alkali, or one of the other plant-based pH indicators. See Natural test papers -- Cabbage, Brazil, Dahlia, Elderberry, Indigo, Litmus, Rose, Rhubarb, Turmeric. We didn't have a pH meter when we started making biodiesel in 1999 so we used phenolphthalein solution. Phenolphthalein is colourless up to pH 8.3, then it turns pink (or rather magenta), and red at pH 10.4. When it's just starting to turn pink it's reading
pH 8.5, which is the measure you want. Phenolphthalein lasts about a year. It's sensitive to light, store it in a cool, dark place. Don't be put of or frightened away by titration. It's not difficult, thousands and thousands of non-chemist biodiesel makers have learnt how to do it without difficulty and use it every time they make biodiesel. Just follow the directions, step by step. See also More about lye, Better titration, Joe Street's titrator, Accurate measurements. Titration Dissolve 1 gm of lye in 1 litre of distilled water (0.1% w/v lye solution, weight-to-volume). In a smaller beaker, dissolve 1 ml of the oil in 10 ml of pure isopropyl alcohol. Warm the beaker Keith checks the pH of the waste gently by standing it in oil. some hot water, stir until all the oil dissolves in the alcohol and turns clear. (Chopsticks make the best stirrers for titration.) Add 2 drops of phenolphthalein solution. Using a graduated syringe or a pipette, add 0.1% NaOH solution drop by drop to the oil-alcohol-phenolphthalein mixture, stirring all the time. It might turn a bit cloudy, keep stirring. Keep on carefully adding the NaOH solution until the mixture starts to turn pink (magenta) and stays that way for 15 seconds. Take the number of millilitres of 0.1% NaOH solution you used and add 3.5 (the basic amount of NaOH needed for fresh oil). This is the number of grams of NaOH you'll need per litre of the oil you titrated. Our first titration took 6 ml of 0.1% NaOH solution (not very good oil), so we used 6 + 3.5 = 9.5 grams of NaOH per litre of oil: 95 grams for 10 litres.
NOTE: Novices should avoid poor-quality oil like this for their first test-batches with used oil. Find a source of oil that titrates at 2 to 2.5 ml of 0.1% NaOH solution, not more than 3 ml. Leave overcooked oils with high titration levels for later when you have more experience. Again, make small one-litre test batches before processing larger batches of WVO.
Proceed as with new oil, see above: measure out the lye and mix it with the methanol to make sodium methoxide or potassium hydroxide -- it will get slightly hotter and take a little longer to mix as there's more NaOH this time. Make sure the NaOH is completely dissolved in the methanol. Carefully add the methoxide to the warmed oil while stirring, and mix for an hour. Settle overnight, then syphon or decant off the biodiesel. Check the quality of your biodiesel with this basic quality test. The first five times we did this, using 10 litres of waste oil each time, we got biodiesel (a bit darker than the new oil product) and glycerine three times, and twice we got jelly. The answer is to be more careful with the titration: do it two or three times, just to be sure. With poor-quality oils that have high titration levels do bracket tests as well. Do everything you can to improve the accuracy of your measurements so you get consistent results. Read on, and you'll learn how to make high-quality biodiesel every time, without fail. (It's a LONG time since we made jelly!) The production rate was less than with new oil, ending with 8-9 litres of biodiesel instead of 10. With care and experience the production rate improves.
Moving on to bigger things

When you're confident that you can get good results every time, even using oil from different sources, then it's time to scale up the process to provide your fuel needs. Now that you have a feel for the process and know what to expect, you'll have a much better idea of what sort of processor you want than if you'd started off building the processor (as many do) rather than learning the process first. See Biodiesel processors. However, one-litre test batches are not just something for
beginners. It's a basic technique you'll always use. Many experienced biodiesel makers do test batches with each batch of oil. Many not only titrate the oil every time to calculate the right amount of lye to use, they also do "bracket" tests in sequence, followed by wash tests. You learn a lot that way, your fuel gets better, life gets easier. In fact life is already easier -- people who start off making 40gallon batches often never learn the accuracy and discipline that comes from making one-litre test batches first. Their fuel quality suffers for it, and when they encounter that inevitable "problem batch", they suffer for it too. But if you've followed the instructions here carefully, you'll be familiar with all the variables, you'll have good methodology, and you'll be in a much better position to trouble-shoot a problem batch successfully. Keep a Biodiesel Journal -- make notes, keep records. Get some small glass jars and keep samples of all your batches, clearly labelled and cross-referenced to the notes in your journal. You won't regret it. When scaling up from small test-batches to a full-sized processor, be aware that the process will probably need some adjusting. All the various processing methods use averages and approximations because processors vary so widely. Use the fuel quality tests to fine-tune it to your particular processor. See Scaling up.
Removing the water

Water in the oil will interfere with the lye, especially if you use too much lye, and you'll end up with jelly. Test first for water content -- heat half a litre or so of the oil in a saucepan on the stove and monitor the temperature with a thermometer. If there's water in it it will start to "snap, crackle and pop" by 50 deg C (120 deg F) or so. If it's still not crackling by 60 deg C (140 deg F) there's no need to dewater it. See Mike Pelly's recommendations: Removing the water. Here's another way, from Aleks Kac -- it uses less energy and doesn't risk forming more Free Fatty Acids (see below) by overheating. Heat the oil to 60 deg C (140 deg F), maintain the temperature for 15 minutes and then pour the oil into a settling
tank. Let it settle for at least 24 hours. Make sure you never empty the settling vessel more than 90%. Here's what Biofuel mailing list member Dale Scroggins says about water removal: Water in vegetable oil can exist as free water, which will eventually settle to the bottom of a vessel; as suspended droplets, which may settle if the oil is heated, or the droplets are coalesced; and as water in solution with other impurities in the oil. Free water is the easiest to remove. The droplets are removed most efficiently by coalescing and draining. Suspended droplets that cannot be coalesced and water in solution are more problematic. Boiling off the water is more difficult than it appears on the surface. Colligative properties of solutions (and some mixtures) can make removal of the last traces of water almost impossible. Water mixed with oil will not boil at the same temperature and pressure as pure water. As water is removed, more heat or lower pressure will be required to remove more water. If the oil contains salts or semi-soluble fatty acids, distillation is even more difficult. As the percentage of water in the solution decreases (its molar fraction) its vapor pressure will continue to drop. Lowering pressure in the system alone may be insufficient to sustain vaporization when the solution becomes concentrated (the molar fraction of the solute greatly exceeds that of the solvent). Results will vary depending upon the nature of the water-soluble impurities in the oil. Few solutions are ideal, in terms of Raoult's law, and in used vegetable oil, there is no way to know what solutes are in the oil. The important thing is how well-used, or overused, the oil is. Titration will tell you that. The higher the titration result, the more water it's likely to contain, and the more difficult it will probably be to remove the water. Start with heating to 60 deg C and settling, as Aleks Kac recommends, and if that doesn't give satisfactory results, try boiling it off, as Mike Pelly recommends. Then try processing small test batches of a litre or less first. If you still have difficulties, try to find better-quality oil.
Washing
Biodiesel must be washed before use to remove soaps, excess methanol, residual lye, free glycerine and other contaminants. Some people (fewer and fewer of them) say washing isn't necessary, arguing that the small amounts of contaminants cause no engine damage. Read what the Fuel Injection Equipment (FIE) Manufacturers (Delphi, Stanadyne, Denso, Bosch) have to say about these contaminants: Summary -- html Full document -- Acrobat file, 104kb See also: Determining the Influence of Contaminants on Biodiesel Properties, Jon H. Van Gerpen et al., Iowa State University, July 31, 1996 -- 12,000-word report on contaminants and their effects. Acrobat file, 2.1Mb: http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/reports/gen/ gen014.pdf Myth: > I did notice that a lot of the chemistry in the book was wrong. > His main argument seemed to be against losing the energy in > the methanol that was washed out. The "energy" does you no good if your particular thermodynamic cycle can't take advantage of it. What is the cetane rating of methanol? -- Ken Provost, Biofuel mailing list, "Re: washing?" Quite so. The cetane rating of methanol is only 3, very low. Low cetane-number fuel in a diesel causes ignition delay and makes the engine knock. The high-speed diesel engines in cars and trucks are designed to use fuels with cetane numbers of about 50. The US biodiesel standard specifies a cetane number higher than 47, the EU standard specifies higher than 51. The methanol in unwashed biodiesel doesn't "make a great fuel anyway". It's also very corrosive. The EU biodiesel standard specifies less than 0.2% methanol content. Quality biodiesel is well-washed biodiesel. Filtering it is no use, and letting it settle for a few weeks won't help much either.
Anyway washing the fuel is easy. See Washing
Using biodiesel
You don't have to convert the engine to run it on biodiesel, but you might need to make some adjustments and you should check a few things. Petroleum diesel leaves a lot of dirt in the tank and the fuel system. Biodiesel is a good solvent -- it tends to free the dirt and clean it out. Be sure to check the fuel filters regularly at first. Start off with a new fuel filter. If a car has been left standing for a long time with petroleum diesel fuel in the tank the inside of the tank may have rusted (water content is a common problem with petro-diesel fuel). Biodiesel will free up the rust, and it could clog the particle filter inside the tank. At worst the car simply stops, starved of fuel. It's not a very common problem, but it happens. See: Biodiesel and your vehicle -- Compatability: Filters. A common warning is that biodiesel, especially 100% biodiesel, will rot any natural or butyl rubber parts in the fuel system, whether fuel lines or injector pump seals, and that they must first be replaced with resistant parts made of Viton. But rubber parts in diesel engine fuel systems have been rare or non-existent since the early 1980s -- it seldom happens, and when it does happen it's not catastrophic, you have plenty of warning and it's easily fixed. See: Biodiesel and your vehicle -- Compatability: Rubber. See Biodiesel and your vehicle
Safety
Please read this whole section right to the end. Wear proper protective gloves, apron, and eye protection and do not inhale any vapours. Methanol can cause blindness and death, and you don't even have to drink it, it's absorbed through the skin. Sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns and death. Together these two chemicals form sodium methoxide. This is an extremely caustic chemical.
These are dangerous chemicals -- treat them as such! Gloves should be chemical-proof with cuffs that can be pulled up over long sleeves -- no shorts or sandals. Always have running water handy when working with them. The workspace must be thoroughly ventilated. No children or pets allowed. Organic vapor cartridge respirators are more or less useless against methanol vapors. Professional advice is not to use organic vapor cartridges for longer than a few hours maximum, or not to use them at all. Only a supplied-air system will do (SCBA -- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). The best advice is not to expose yourself to the fumes in the first place. The main danger is when the methanol is hot -- when it's cold or at "room temperature" it fumes very little if at all and it's easily avoided, just keep it at arm's length whenever you open the container. Don't use "open" reactors -- biodiesel processors should be closed to the atmosphere, with no fumes escaping. All methanol containers should be kept tightly closed anyway to prevent water absorption from the air. We transfer methanol from its container to the methoxide mixing container by pumping it, with no exposure. This is easily arranged, and an ordinary small aquarium air-pump will do. The methoxide is mixed like this -- Methoxide the easy way, which also happens to be the safe way. The mixture gets quite hot at first, but the container is kept closed and no fumes escape. When mixed, the methoxide is again pumped into the (closed) biodiesel processor with the aquarium air-pump -- there's no exposure to fumes, and it's added slowly, which is optimal for the process and also for safety. See Adding the methoxide. Once again, making biodiesel is safe if you're careful and sensible -- nothing about life is safe if you're not careful and sensible! "Sensible" also mean not over-reacting, as some people do: "I'd like to make biodiesel but I'm frightened of all those terrible poisons." In fact they're common enough household chemicals. Lye is sold in supermarkets and hardware stores as a drain-cleaner, there's probably a can of it under the sink in most households. Methanol is the main or only ingredient in barbecue fuel or fondue fuel, sold in supermarkets and chain stores as "stove fuel" and used at the dinner table. It's also the main ingredient in the fuel kids use in their model aero engines. So get it in perspective: be careful with these chemicals -- be careful with ALL chemicals -- but there's no need to be frightened of them.
For fire risks, see Hazards
More about methanol

Question: Just how dangerous is methanol? Fact: Methanol is a poisonous chemical that can blind you or kill you, and as well as drinking it you can absorb it through the skin and breathe in the fumes. Question: How much does it take to kill you? Short answer: Anything from five teaspoons to more than half a pint, but nobody really knows. Fact: Human susceptibility to the acute effects of methanol intoxication is extremely variable. The minimum dose of methanol causing permanent visual defects is unknown. The lethal dose of methanol for humans is not known for certain. The minimum lethal dose of methanol in the absence of medical treatment is put at between 0.3 and 1 g/kg. That means it's thought to take at least 20 grams of methanol to kill an average-sized person, or 25 ml, five teaspoonsful. Or it might need more than three times as much, 66 grams, 17 teaspoonsful, or maybe more, and even then it'll only kill you if you can't reach a doctor within a day or two, and maybe it still won't kill you. But it definitely can kill you. If you drink five teaspoonsful of pure methanol you'll need medical treatment even if it doesn't kill you. Yet people have survived doses of 10 times as much -- a quarter of a litre, half a pint -- without any permanent harm. But others haven't survived much lower doses. Getting rapid medical attention is crucial, though the poisoning effects can be slow to develop. Authorities advise that swallowing up to 1.3 grams or 1.7 ml of methanol or inhaling methanol vapour concentrations below 200 ppm should be harmless for most people. No severe effects have been reported in humans of methanol vapour exposures well above 200 ppm. Out of 1,601 methanol poisonings reported in the US in 1987 the death rate was 0.375%, or 1 in 267 cases. It might have been only 1 in more than a thousand cases because most cases weren't
reported. Most cases were caused by drinking badly made moonshine, which is a worldwide problem. Fiction: "Methanol is ... a very active chemical against which the human body has no means of defence. It is absorbed easily through the skin and there is no means of elimination from the body, so levels of methanol dissolved in the blood accumulate." That's from a British website trying to sell Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) solvent additives by frightening people with the alleged perils of biodiesel. See The SVO vs biodiesel argument Fact: 30 litres of fruit juice will probably contain up to 20 grams of methanol, near the official minimum lethal dose. Methanol is in the food we eat, in fresh fruit and vegetables, beer and wine, diet drinks, artificial sweeteners. Not only that, methanol occurs naturally in humans. It's a natural component of blood, urine, saliva and the air you breathe out. It's there anyway even if you've never been exposed to chemical methanol or its fumes. Methanol is eliminated from the body as a normal matter of course via the urine and exhaled air and by metabolism. Getting rid of it takes from a few hours for low doses to a day or two for higher doses. Some proportion of a dose of methanol just goes straight through, excreted by the lungs and kidneys unchanged. The normal background-level quantities of methanol in humans are eliminated and replenished all the time as a matter of course. Fiction: It's largely biodiesel's methanol content that's being blamed when the same British SVO website charges that biodiesel is wasteful and environmentally irresponsible. Fact: Methanol is readily biodegradable in the environment under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions (with and without oxygen) in a wide variety of conditions. Generally 80% of methanol in sewage systems is biodegraded within 5 days. Methanol is a normal growth substrate for many soil microorganisms, which completely degrade methanol to carbon dioxide and water. Methanol is of low toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial organisms and it is not bioaccumulated. (It's toxic mainly to humans and
monkeys.) Environmental effects due to exposure to methanol are unlikely. Unless released in high concentrations, methanol would not be expected to persist or bioaccumulate in the environment. Low levels of release would not be expected to result in adverse environmental effects. Fiction: A European SVO fuel website using similar antibiodiesel tactics claims: "Biodiesel is a chemically altered plant oil. However the process to chemically change the structure of Pure Plant Oil is a very costly operation and requires a lot of energy, as it removes the glycerine substituting it by methanol as well as adding other chemicals, making the end-product poisonous and equally hazardous as fossil diesel fuel." Fact: There is no free methanol in washed biodiesel. All the national standards require washing. According to US EPA studies methyl esters biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and more biodegradable than sugar. It has none of the toxic or environmental hazards of fossil diesel fuel.
To put it all in some perspective, methanol is the main or only ingredient in barbecue fuel or fondue fuel, sold in supermarkets and chain stores as "stove fuel" and used at the dinner table. It's also the main ingredient in the fuel kids use in their model aero engines. Yes, methanol is a dangerous chemical, but quite how dangerous it may be is a little hard to say, and it causes surprisingly little harm. If you're careful and sensible and treat it with caution it won't harm you either. Many thousands of biodiesel homebrewers worldwide have been using it for years without serious mishap. In our view, the difference between methanol and the really dangerous chemicals is that although methanol is poisonous, it's a natural chemical, you'd find it in the Garden of Eden too. It's not something nature's simply never heard of before and has no way of handling and neither do you, unlike too many of the 100,000-odd "new" chemicals now in use which aren't readily biodegradable and do accumulate, and spread, and keep being implicated in cancer clusters and bizarre sexual distortions of frogs and so on and on and on.
There are no reports of carcinogenic, genotoxic, reproductive or developmental effects in humans due to methanol exposure. Its environmental effects if any are minimal and short-lived. Biodieselers can and do use methanol safely and the biodiesel fuel we make from it is safe and clean. -- With information from: United Nations Environment Programme / International Labour Organisation / World Health Organization: International Programme On Chemical Safety, Environmental Health Criteria 196 - Methanol, from IPCS INCHEM, "Chemical Safety Information from Intergovernmental Organizations", in cooperation with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc196.htm See also: Safety (MSDS) data for methyl alcohol http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/ME/methyl_alcohol.html Methanol MSDS http://www.bu.edu/es/labsafety/ESMSDSs/MSMethanol.html
Methanol as a plant nutrient "Methanol is a fixed-carbon nutrient source for plants." -- From "Agriculture and Methanol", Chapter 7, Methanol Production and Use, ed. Wu-Hsun Cheng and Harold H. Kung, ISBN 0-8247-9223-8, 1994 (10th printing) "Methanol treatments of C3 plants [most food crops] have been found to result in growth improvement... As a plant source of carbon, methanol is a liquid concentrate: 1 cc of methanol provides the equivalent fixed-carbon substrate of over 2,000,000 cc of ambient air... Methanol treatments are a means of placing carbon directly into the foliage... The application of 10-100% methanol to some crops increased photosynthetic productivity... The uptake of methanol by plants in light leaves no significant residual methanol above baseline as detectable by chromotography within 15-30 minutes of penetration. Treatment with methanol is therefore an inexpensive, safe, and effective means of providing plants with a
source of fixed carbon and carbon dioxide... An economical means of inhibition of photorespiration has been sought for decades, and methanol may well provide the solution... The control of photorespiration across the food crops of the world could double yields." -- Greg Harbican and Peter G., Biofuel mailing list, 8 Sep 2004. For discussion see: http://snipurl.com/j94f Methanol and Plants http://snipurl.com/j94e Use for wash water - methanol Note however that the authors of Methanol Production and Use caution that the application of methanol to crops still requires further study before we all "rush out to spray methanol". Most of the excess methanol used in the biodiesel process ends up in the glycerine by-product layer, and the rest stays in the biodiesel. If you don't reclaim it for re-use (you should!) the portion that's in the biodiesel gets washed out when you wash the fuel, mostly with the first wash. The first wash-water probably won't contain more than 5-6% methanol (as well as some sodium or potassium lye and some soap). You could try spraying it on half a small patch of weeds and don't spray the other half to see what happens. Choose a bright sunny day. Next: Make your own biodiesel -- Page 2
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine
Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Biocombustibles: Journey to Forever
Biocombustibles
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"Cmo podis decir que sois ecologistas?" Nos pregunt un escptico en Hong Kong. "Vuestros Land Rover no son ecolgicos en absoluto, queman petrleo." Buscar "Mmm", dijimos, pensando deprisa... "Si todos los coches fueran como los nuestros, no haran falta carreteras." En realidad ninguno de los coches que se fabrican hoy en da es tan ecolgico como los Land Rover. Estas viejas mquinas duran muchsimo: "Mi Land Rover tiene 41 aos y ha evitado la necesidad de construir al menos cinco vehculos durante ese tiempo." -- Inglaterra, lista de correo de propietarios de Land Rover, diciembre de 1999. Los vehculos Land Rover dejaron de construirse en 1985. (Consulta Los vehculos del proyecto y El mejor coche del mundo). Actualmente la industria del automvil produce 100.000 vehculos nuevos al da en todo el mundo. Consulta Datos sobre los coches. Nuestro crtico dijo algo ms: los vehculos eran bastante ecolgicos, no as su combustible. No planeamos contaminar la atmsfera con los humos del asqueroso petrleo a lo largo del camino desde Hong Kong hasta Ciudad del Cabo. Hay combustibles ms limpios, y puedes producirlos t!

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English version
Biocombustibles
Por qu producir biocombustibles?

Tenemos tres motivos para producir biodiesel y etanol:
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Disponer de combustibles renovables para nuestros vehculos. Como proyecto ecolgico para las escuelas que participen con Journey to Forever. Como medio para mejorar el autoabastecimiento de energa en zonas rurales.
Biodiesel en Honk Kong (ingl)
El biodiesel y el etanol son combustibles limpios que pueden
http://journeytoforever.org/es/biocombustibles.html (1 de 10)04/12/2006 11:29:50 a.m.
Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodiesel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo
producirse con un equipamiento sencillo en pequeas poblaciones, a partir de los recursos renovables disponibles en cada zona. Estos combustibles forman parte de un grupo de fuentes de energa renovables adecuadas para las zonas rurales. Otros son: el metano (biogs) procedente de los residuos del ganado y de los cultivos, la energa solar (Consulta Solar box cookers), wood gas, el carbn vegetal y la madera (buenos combustibles si no se destruyen las masas forestales), el viento y el agua. Normalmente la solucin es una mezcla de tecnologas. Los biocombustibles pueden mover maquinaria agrcola y de taller, generadores elctricos y vehculos. El conocimiento de cmo se producen lleva a una serie de preguntas sobre los efectos en el medio ambiente de cada lugar, por lo que es un conocimiento valioso aunque finalmente no se utilicen todas las tecnologas. Por ejemplo, un cultivo como el cacahuete, debe usarse para producir combustible, o es mejor que los campesinos se lo coman? O que lo vendan? Tambin se le puede sacar el aceite para cocinar o para venderlo, y luego alimentar al ganado con la torta residual que queda despus de extraer el aceite (tiene muchas protenas), ganado que luego pueden comerse o venderlo, y usar los excrementos del ganado (y los restos de la cosecha) para hacer compost que renueve el suelo, o para generar biogs para la cocina y la calefaccin. Adems, el calor desprendido por el proceso de compostaje puede aprovecharse tambin para calefaccin. O deberan cultivar otro producto totalmente distinto? Es mejor que los campesinos coman el grano de los cereales o que lo destilen para producir etanol? Si se alimenta al ganado con el cultivo de cereal puede destilarse etanol y alimentar tambin al ganado: la destilacin transforma en etanol los glcidos del grano, pero no afecta a las protenas. Las protenas que quedan son un excelente alimento para el ganado y pueden complementarse con forraje (que los humanos no pueden comer). De esta forma se aprovechan mejor los recursos disponibles. Este es el tipo de preguntas que deberemos contestar cuando estemos trabajando en poblaciones rurales. Por supuesto, sern los campesinos los que decidan.
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What people are saying about us About Handmade Projects Sitemap (text only) Proyectos
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Community development
Rural development
Fundacin para las energas alternativas, Repblica Eslovaca. Un buen sumario de los distintos mtodos para obtener energa de la biomasa (artculo de 34.000 palabras): http://www.seps.sk/zp/fond/dieret/biomass.html
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
Alimento o combustible?
Una objecin comn a la energa de la biomasa es que podra reducir la cantidad de cultivos de alimentos en este mundo famlico, e incluso produdir grandes hambrunas en los pases ms pobres. Es eso cierto? En absoluto: como mucho es una simplificacin de un hecho complejo. Simplemente no funciona de esa manera, y tampoco produce hambrunas. Consulta: Alimento o combustible?
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Compost
La rueda de la vida
Small farms
The way forward
Biocombustibles
Solar box cookers
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Datos sobre los coches

De la Revista Grist http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/counter/counter011900. stm
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Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
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Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction

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Finding your way

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Schools projects
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Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers

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En 1950 haba en las carreteras del mundo 70 millones de vehculos a motor. En 1994 haba en las carreteras del mundo 630 millones de vehculos a motor. Si contina el crecimiento actual, se espera que en el 2025 haya en el mundo 1 billn de vehculos a motor. Cada ao salen de las fbricas 50 millones de coches nuevos, 137.000 cada da. La produccin de cada nuevo coche genera 27 toneladas de residuos. En EE.UU. se retiran de la circulacin 11 millones de coches anualmente. Un coche libera en la atmsfera 5,4 toneladas de dixido de carbono al ao. El 5% del combustible de un coche puede quedar desperdiciado si los neumticos no estn bien

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Backpack stove PicoTurbine Low-tech radio

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What to do with a cardboard carton Sisters of silk Silkworms in a shoebox School gardens School composting Trees and forests
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inflados. Podran ahorrarse anualmente 2 billones de galones de gasolina si 65 millones de conductores mantuvieran sus neumticos inflados adecuadamente. El 85% del combustible de un coche se consume para vencer la fuerza de la inercia y para que las ruedas comienzen a girar. Los coches deportivos y los camiones ligeros emiten 2,5 veces ms contaminacin que los coches normales. En 1993 haba en EE.UU. 33.000 vehculos de gas natural. En 1998 haba en EE.UU. 75.000 vehculos de gas natural.
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-- por Josh Sevin Fuentes: World Resources Institute; Environmental Working Group; 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth; Amicus Journal; L.A. Times; U.S. Department of Transportation; Earth Communications Office; Amicus Journal; Wall Street Journal.
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Facts & Stats On Cars, del Consejo de Ontario para el Reciclaje. Aprende cmo los coches daan la tierra, la historia de miedo completa: http://www.rco.on.ca/factsheet/ fs_b02.html
(Auto Free Ottawa)
Visita la web del Da Sin Coches del Car Free Day Consortium: http://www.ecoplan.org/carfreeday/cf_index.htm
Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles

Journey to Forever tiene una lista de correo muy interesante donde se tratan temas relacionados con los biocombustibles. Como tiene miembros de todas las partes del mundo el idioma comn es el ingls. En Hispanoamrica y en Espaa hay inters por los biocombustibles. Desafortunadamente muchas personas no entienden el ingls y no pueden acceder a la Lista de los Biocombustibles. Para solucionar el
problema hemos creado un foro en espaol fuera de Journey to Forever. Cualquiera que se registre en ese foro puede preguntar sus dudas a personas que ya tienen alguna experiencia con biodiesel. La Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles es mucho mejor que el foro en castellano, y tambin da mucho ms trabajo. Sera demasiado difcil mantener una lista de correo tan profesional para cada uno de los idiomas (ingls, japons, y espaol). Si entiendes bien el ingls apntate a la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles, encontrars mucha informacin interesante. La explicacin de cmo apuntarse est ms abajo. El foro en castellano es una ayuda para aquellos que no entienden el ingls. Para registrarte en el foro tienes que pulsar el enlace que lleva al formulario de registro. Despus de registrarte podrs acceder al foro pulsando el enlace "Entrar" que hay en lo alto de la pgina principal. Formulario de registro del foro en espaol: http://edit.yahoo. com/config/eval_register?.intl=es&.src=ygrp&new=1&. done=http%3a//es.groups.yahoo.com%2Fgroup% 2Fforo_biodiesel%2F Pgina principal del foro en espaol: http://es.groups.yahoo. com/group/foro_biodiesel/
Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles

La lista de correo de los biocombustibles de Journey to Forever es la mayor lista de correo sobre combustibles alternativos, y la de ms rpido crecimiento. Es un punto de intercambio de informacin para cualquiera que est produciendo su propio combustible o que sienta inters por los biocombustibles. Trata todos los aspectos de los biocombustibles: biodiesel, etanol, otros combustibles alternativos, tecnologas relacionadas, energa en general, medio ambiente... La lista tiene un gran nmero de miembros de todas las partes del mundo y ha estado a vanguardia del desarrollo de biocombustibles a pequea escala durante ms de seis aos. Algunos comentarios de los miembros:

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"Slo quiero decir lo importante que es lo que estis haciendo aqu (yo slo soy un espectador interesado). Los sistemas de produccin cerrados, a escala local o regional, basados en los recursos de la zona, empleando tecnologas accesibles, y el libre intercambio de informacin. Es impresionante. Muy bien, seguid as." "De todas las personas del mundo que se dedican a los biocombustibles, aqu estn algunas de las ms brillantes." "Vuestra lista contiene la mejor informacin que he encontrado en internet. Los archivos son magnficos; paso mucho tiempo revisndolos para aprender. Creo que ahora mismo esta informacin es importantsima y me alegro mucho de que est disponible. Puede que nuestro futuro dependa de ella." "Yo slo me un a la lista para sacar adelante mi proyecto de biodiesel. Siguiendo los distintos temas que aqu se tratan he descubierto que mi visin del mundo estaba muy limitada. Estoy cambiando mi forma de pensar." "Gracias a la lista me he dado cuenta de que puedo ayudar a mejorar el mundo. Todo lo que he aprendido en los ltimos meses me anima a esforzarme." "La lista me beneficia mucho, y todava no he producido una sola gota de combustible, pero aprendo mucho." "Me gustan esas opiniones tan abiertas. Es bueno que cambiemos de vez en cuando nuestra manera de pensar." "Esta lista de correo me ha demostrado que an me queda mucho por aprender."
ATENCIN: La nica lengua empleada en la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles es el ingls. Si no sabes ingls no debes suscribirte. Cualquiera con inters en los biocombustibles es bienvenido en nuestra lista de correo. Puedes participar activamente, o
permanecer en silencio como espectador, lo que prefieras. No admitimos "SPAM" ni "trolls". Para suscribirte enva un mensaje EN INGLS a los administradores de la lista (listadmin@journeytoforever. org) con una breve explicacin (o no tan breve) de quin eres, en que pas ests, por qu te interesan los biocombustibles, y por qu quieres unirte a la lista. Puedes incluir cualquier dato que consideres importante. La lista tiene miembros de todas las partes del mundo. Se entienden en ingls. Si no sabes ingls no debes suscribirte. Por favor, ten en cuenta que la lista de correo de los biocombustibles no es un sitio web ni un servicio de noticias, sino un grupo de discusin interactivo donde se escriben entre 20 y 50 mensajes diarios. Si eso va a saturar tu bandeja de entrada, por favor, lee el siguiente mensaje que explica cmo manejar bien los mensajes recibidos: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ msg21651.html Los miembros pueden seleccionar entre varios tipos de resumen diario para recibir uno o ms mensajes compuestos por los mensajes del da. Busca en los archivos combinados de la lista de los biocombustibles y la lista biofuel-biz 60.000 entradas de discusiones entre gente de todas las partes del mundo, un tesoro de informacin sobre todos los aspectos de los biocombustibles: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ La lista de los biocombustibles realmente sirve de ayuda. Un ejemplo tpico: el miembro Jack Kenworthy de la islaescuela Cape Eleuthera en Bahamas se suscribi a la lista en noviembre de 2002 sin saber nada. Los dems miembros le ayudaron a aprender a partir de cero cmo se produce el biodiesel, le ayudaron a resolver los problemas que tuvo y a disear y construir un reactor. Nueve meses despus de que comenzara su aprendizaje escribi esto: "Hola a todos. Slo quiero que sepis que acabo de recibir los resultados de la prueba ASTM [el estndar para biodiesel ASTM D-6751 de EE.UU.]; mi combustible cumple todas las especificaciones. Otro buen ejemplo de un productor casero en un lugar remoto (Bahamas) que ha conseguido biodiesel de buena calidad Gracias! -- Jack"
"En los cuatro meses que llevo leyendo y aprendiendo de la lista, he llegado a valorar la amplitud y profundidad de los conocimientos de sus miembros, por no mencionar al moderador. Os agradezco vuestra ayuda. Acabo de completar satisfactoriamente mi primera prueba." Sean Michael Dargan, cantante, compositor, productor de biodiesel http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/smdargan2 "Gracias a vuestra ayuda mi sueo se ha hecho realidad. Recib mi MSc en ingeniera medioambiental, mi diploma se titula: "Desarrollo de procesos para produccin de biodiesel a partir de aceite comestible usado, y control de calidad del combustible producido". Sin embargo, mi logro, del que estoy realmente orgulloso, es que he recibido tres premios y dos subvenciones de nivel nacional (Grecia), y estoy esperando otra ms. Gracias, os llevo en el corazn." Stelios Terzakis, lista de los biocombustibles, 24 de agosto de 2005
Enlaces
Foro sobre biodiesel: http://es.groups.yahoo.com/group/foro_biodiesel/ Biodiesel en Uruguay: http://www.biodiesel-uruguay.com/ Biodiesel en Espaa: www.biodieselspain.com Resumen en portugus (archivo Power Point, 2 MB): Produo do biodiesel Resumen en portugus (archivo Power Point, 1 MB): Qumica do biodiesel Red Permear: http://www.permear.org.br/
Biocombustibles
Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodiesel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodiesel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodiesel Biodiesel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodiesel en internet (ingl) tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
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Biofuels Library - Journey to Forever
Journey to Forever Online Biofuels Library

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Mother Earth Alcohol Fuel The Manual for the Home and Farm Production of Alcohol Fuel Convert Your Car to Alcohol The Sunflower Seed Huller and Oil Press Fuel From Sawdust The UC Davis biodiesel study Straighter-than-straight vegetable oils as diesel fuels Palm Oil as a Fuel for Agricultural Diesel Engines: Comparative Testing against Diesel Oil Review: Utilization of Rapeseed Oil, Rapeseed Oil Methyl Ester or Diesel Fuel -- Exhaust Gas Emissions and Estimation of Environmental Effects SVO emissions bibliography The modelling of the biodiesel reaction Kinetics of Transesterification of Soybean Oil Kinetics of Palm Oil Transesterification in a Batch Reactor Preparation of ethanol from molasses The Butterfield Still -- Farm-scale ethanol fuel production plant The Seven Sisters -- The Great Oil Companies and the World They Made The Fats and Oils: a General View Put a chicken in your tank Methane Digesters For Fuel Gas and Fertilizer -- With Complete Instructions For Two Working Models Nepal Biogas Plant -- Construction Manual Jean Pain: France's King of Green Gold Micro Cogeneration: 21st Century Independent Power -How to Design and Construct Your Own Independent Power System Optimization of a Batch Type Ethyl Ester Process Production and Testing of Ethyl and Methyl Esters
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Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Heaters, burners, stoves Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energyefficient?
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Transesterification Process to Manufacture Ethyl Ester of Rape Oil Making and Testing a Biodiesel Fuel Made From Ethanol and Waste French-Fry Oil Intensive Field Trial of Ethanol/Petrol Blend in Vehicles Wood-Ethanol Report: Technology Review Fuel Injection Equipment (FIE) Manufacturers (Delphi, Stanadyne, Denso, Bosch) statement on biodiesel quality NIR Helps Turn Vegetable Oil into High-Quality Biofuel Rapid Monitoring of Transesterification and Assessing Biodiesel Fuel Quality by Near-infrared Spectroscopy Using a Fiber-Optic Probe Monitoring a Progressing Transesterification Reaction by Fiber-Optic Near Infrared Spectroscopy with Correlation to 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Cornmeal Adsorber for Dehydrating Ethanol Vapors Separating Ethanol From Water Apparatus for the Continuous Manufacture of Absolute Alcohol Absolute Alcohol Using Glycerine Wood Alcohol Wood-to-Oil Process Liquefaction Biochemical Sources of Fuels
Rural development
Mother Earth Alcohol Fuel -- a guide to the fine points of home alcohol production, Mother's Alcohol Fuel Seminar The Mother Earth News, 1980 (out of print) In 1978 The Mother Earth News research team started studying methods and distillation processes, testing mash formulas, designing apparatus, compiling information, converting engines and running seminars, spending upwards of US$300,000 on the project. This manual is the result. Basic information, methods, different feedstocks, processing, mash recipes, still designs and plans, low-cost backyard stills, Alcohol as an Engine Fuel, How To Adapt Your Automobile Engine For Ethyl Alcohol Use, Do-It-Yourself Water Injection System, MOTHER's Waste Oil Heater, and more. The Manual for the Home and Farm Production of Alcohol Fuel by S.W. Mathewson Ten Speed Press
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Small farms
The way forward
Copyright 1980 J.A. Diaz Publications (out of print) This excellent manual gives you all the information you need to get going with making your own alcohol fuel. Aimed at smallscale production, good chapters on fuel theory, everything about feedstocks, processing, fermentation, yeast, using ethanol, distillation. Convert Your Car to Alcohol, by Keat B. Drane, 1980 (out of print) -- Detailed instructions on how to run a gasoline car on clean, renewable ethanol fuel. Covers everything you need, from the fuel line to the carburetor to the ignition system, with tips on cold-weather starting. Scanned by Stan Hartley. Full-text online. The Sunflower Seed Huller and Oil Press -- by Jeff Cox (from Organic Gardening, April 1979, Rodale Press): Vegetable oils used to be one of those items you just HAD to buy. Now here's how to make your own. In 2,500 square feet, a family of four can grow each year enough sunflower seed to produce three gallons of homemade vegetable oil suitable for salads or cooking and 20 pounds of nutritious, dehulled seed -- with enough broken seeds left over to feed a winter's worth of birds. Fuel From Sawdust -- by Mike Brown (from Acres, USA, 19 June 1983): Conversion of cellulose, such as sawdust, cornstalks, newspaper and other substances, to alcohol -- "a fairly uncomplicated and straightforward process". The UC Davis biodiesel study -- "Chemical and Bioassay Analyses of Diesel and Biodiesel Particulate Matter: Pilot Study -- Final Report" by Norman Y. Kado, Robert A. Okamoto and Paul A. Kuzmicky, Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California, November 1996. This U.S. Department of Energy study found that the use of pure biodiesel instead of petroleum-based diesel fuel could offer a 93.6% reduction in cancer risks from exhaust emissions exposure. Acrobat file, 3.1Mb. UC Davis biodiesel study -- summary: the Summary, Results and Discussion sections of the report, in html format. Straighter-than-straight vegetable oils as diesel fuels, Michael Allen, Visiting Professor, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand: What happens when you try to run a diesel motor on crude palm oil. Palm Oil as a Fuel for Agricultural Diesel Engines: Comparative Testing against Diesel Oil, by Gumpon
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
Solar box cookers


Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Prateepchaikul and Teerawat Apichato of Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. Comparative tests of indirect injection agricultural engines fueled by diesel and refined palm oil and operating continuously at constant 75% maximum load and speed of 2,200 rpm. SONGKLANAKARIN Journal of Science and Technology Vol.25 No.3 May-June 2003 Review: Utilization of Rapeseed Oil, Rapeseed Oil Methyl Ester or Diesel Fuel -- Exhaust Gas Emissions and Estimation of Environmental Effects, by Jrgen Krahl, Axel Munack, Mfit Bahadir, Leon Schumacher and Nancy Elser, 1996. This report is a review of emissions tests of rapeseed oil and rapeseed methyl esters biodiesel using the US FTP-75 tests or European ECE-15 13 and 5 tests. Emissions are categorized and compared with petroleum diesel fuel in different types of diesel engines. Section 2 on Engine Testing Procedures and section 3, "Environmental Effects of the Main Exhaust Gas Components", are well worth a read in their own right. SVO emissions bibliography -- Compiled by Wolfgang Rougle from the 55-page bibliography of the Iowa State biodiesel course. This larger bibliography covers all research aspects of biodiesel and some non-emissions aspects of SVO, and may be useful to you. It can be found at: http://www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel/Bibliography/bibliography. html The modelling of the biodiesel reaction -- As part of their work to design a continuous reactor for the production of palmoil methyl ester, Michael Allen and Gumpon Prateepchaikul at the Energy Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand produced a spreadsheet modelling the complex series of reversible reactions which take place during the biodiesel production process. "Applying this model made possible several recommendations to enhance palm-oil methyl ester production in batch reactors..." You can use the spreadsheet to change one parameter in the process and see how it affects the others. Fulltext document here (html). Download the MS Excel spreadsheet (for Windows) -- 320kb Download the Acrobat file describing the work -- 364kb See also "Kinetics of Transesterification of Soybean Oil" and "Kinetics of Palm Oil Transesterification in a Batch Reactor", both below.
Kinetics of Transesterification of Soybean Oil, H. Noureddini and D. Zhu, Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, Vol. 74, no. 11 (1997). This study investigates what actually happens during the transesterifcation process to produce biodiesel. The effect of variations in mixing intensity and temperature on the rate of reaction were studied at a constant ratio of alcohol to triglycerol and concentration of catalyst. Acrobat file, 540Kb. Kinetics of Palm Oil Transesterification in a Batch Reactor, by D. Darnoko and Munir Cheryan, University of Illinois, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural Bioprocess Laboratory, Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society (JAOCS) Vol. 77, No. 12 (2000) --What happens during the biodiesel process reaction. Acrobat file, 72Kb. Preparation of ethanol from molasses -- This method uses fresh rubber coagulum as binder and live cell immobilising agent. Once prepared the yeast culture can be used repeatedly for months under non-sterile conditions for fermenting sugars to ethanol prior to distillation, with high yields. Full details and diagram. From Manick Harris, Malaysia, Biofuel mailing list, 26 Aug 2005 The Butterfield Still -- This report provides details of the design, construction, operation and performance of the FSB Energy Fuel Alcohol Plant. Farm-scale ethanol fuel production plant -- the Gildred/ Butterfield Fuel Alcohol Plant, winner of the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Ethanol Fuel Plant Design Competition: Floyd Butterfield's on-farm still operation in full, complete with blueprints. Plant Description, Plant Operating Manual, Plant Performance Data, Plant Construction Guide, Recommendations, Appendixes and eight blueprints of the still, cooker and operating set-up. Operates continuously, 24 hours per day, 10 gallons per hour of 190 proof ethanol. Includes screw press blueprints and construction details. With thanks to Garle A. Webb. The Seven Sisters -- The Great Oil Companies and the World They Made, by Anthony Sampson, 1975 (out of print). "The Seven Sisters (from a phrase first popularised by Italian oil tycoon Enrico Mattei): Exxon (Esso), Shell, BP, Gulf, Texaco, Mobil, Socal (Chevron) -- plus an eighth, the Compagnie
Francaise Des Ptroles (CFP-Total)." We scanned chapters 8-14 of the book and posted them under the subtitle "OPEC, Big Oil and you" at the Biofuel mailing list, where they raised much interest. "I was so interested in the story, I went out and ordered myself a copy," wrote one list member. "This is great reading, and gives us a small glimpse into the control that big oil has over us. Thanks." Seven chapters full-text online. See also: Who gets what from imported oil? Data from OPEC (Acrobat file, 36kb) The Fats and Oils: a General View, by Carl L. Alsberg and Alonzo E. Taylor, 1928, Food Research Institute, Stanford University, California First in a series of five Fats and Oils Studies published in the 1920s by the Food Research Institute. World War 1 had demonstrated the basic importance of the fats and oils for food, feed, and raw material for industry. These publications sought to address a lack of reliable data on which to base policy and business decisions. Good overview of the subject written in layman's terms, covers nature and sources of fats and oils, properties, technology, production, international trade and more. Not that much has changed since then, it's just grown more complex. A clear and informative guide -- useful information for anyone making biodiesel, also much of interest on how agricultural production and the trade in commodities can influence prices and availability of feedstock. Also much of interest for soapmakers. Full text online. More resources -- See Fats and oils Put a chicken in your tank -- Eccentric British inventor Harold Bate found a way of converting chicken droppings to gas -- and runs his car on it. He claims chicken power will run a car faster, cleaner, and better than gasoline. Bate says he has driven his 1953 Hillman at speeds up to 75 mph without the use of gasoline. Methane Digesters For Fuel Gas and Fertilizer, With Complete Instructions For Two Working Models -- by L. John Fry, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93103, 1973, Eighth Printing (out of print). Excellent manual on making and using methane -biogas. Fry developed his techniques while running a pig farm in South Africa, designing the first full scale displacement methane plant. Good information on integrating biogas production with gardening and farming, and with pond-culture food production. Designs for a Sump Digester using 55-gal oil drums and an Inner Tube Digester. With thanks to Kirk McLoren.
DjVu version: This file requires the DjVu plug-in reader, available as a free download (about 1Mb) for Windows, Linux, Solaris and Macintosh. View online or download the file for offline viewing. Download DjVu here: http://www.lizardtech.com/download/?f=0&d=1 DjVu FAQ here: http://www.lizardtech.com/support/faq/general_djvu.php Interview: L. John Fry Interview: Ram Bux Singh Nepal Biogas Plant -- Construction Manual. Construction Manual for GGC 2047 Model Biogas Plant. With Dutch and German support, Nepal's Biogas Support Programme has built 95,400 biogas plants in 10 years, with potential for half a million more. These are fixed dome biogas plants, designed in Nepal. Sizes are household-scale from 4 to 20 cubic metres. The feedstock is cattle dung and water (but other feedstocks will work just as well). For instance, the 4-cubic-metre plant requires input from 2-3 cattle, the 10-cubic-metre plant needs 6-9 cattle. This manual includes full construction details, plans and data. With thanks to Olivier Morf. Jean Pain: France's King of Green Gold -- Frenchman Jean Pain built a home-made power plant that supplies 100% of the his energy needs. The core of the system is a 50-ton compost mound, three metres high and six across, made of pulverized tree limbs and underbrush. Buried inside the compost is a 4-cubicmetre sealed steel tank 3/4-full of the same compost, producing methane -- bio-gas. Tubes connect the tank to a pile of 24 trucktyre inner tubes, the gas reservoir. Pain uses the gas to cook all the food, fuel a truck and produce electricity, via a methanefuelled internal combustion engine that turns a generator. The truck runs off two gas bottles on the roof, with a range of 100 km. Another tube runs from a well and into the heap, with 200 metres of tubing wound round the tank, the water emerging at 60 deg C at 4 litres a minute, enough for central heating, the bathroom and the kitchen. The compost heap continues fermenting for nearly 18 months, and then yields 50 tons of natural fertilizer. (With thanks to Ramjee Swaminathan.) Micro Cogeneration: 21st Century Independent Power -- How to Design and Construct Your Own Independent Power System -- First Edition, 1993, by Kirk
McLoren, Independent Power, Billings, Montana. Covers all aspects of this most useful subject, from thinking about it to putting it all together, and everything in between. This file requires the DjVu plug-in reader, available as a free download (about 1Mb) for Windows, Linux, Solaris and Macintosh. View online or download the file for offline viewing. Download DjVu here: http://www.lizardtech.com/download/?f=0&d=1 DjVu FAQ here: http://www.lizardtech.com/support/faq/general_djvu.php Optimization of a Batch Type Ethyl Ester Process -recipe for biodiesel from ethanol (which you can make yourself), instead of methanol (which is toxic, fossil-fuel derived, and you can't make it yourself). See: Ethyl-esters biodiesel Production and Testing of Ethyl and Methyl Esters, University of Idaho, Dec 1994. See: Ethyl-esters biodiesel Transesterification Process to Manufacture Ethyl Ester of Rape Oil by Roger A. Korus, Dwight S. Hoffman Narendra Barn, Charles L. Peterson, and David C. Drown, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA (Acrobat file, 672Kb) See: Ethyl-esters biodiesel Making and Testing a Biodiesel Fuel Made From Ethanol and Waste French-Fry Oil by Charles L. Peterson, Daryl Reece, Brian Hammond, Joseph C. Thompson, Sidney Beck, University of Idaho, Idaho, USA (Acrobat file, 2.4Mb) See: Ethyl-esters biodiesel A complete report covering all of the applications of ethanol in gasoline, in new and used engines: ERDC Project No 2511 Intensive Field Trial of Ethanol/Petrol Blend in Vehicles. This trial showed no harm to any engines, and documented the benefits. This is the Executive Summary, compliments of Apace Research Ltd -- 10 pages, 32kb Acrobat file. Wood-Ethanol Report: Technology Review, Environment Canada 1999 -- good overview of the problem of producing ethanol from cellulose and the current solutions on offer.
The Fuel Injection Equipment (FIE) Manufacturers (Delphi, Stanadyne, Denso, Bosch) issued a statement on biodiesel. They strongly support it, but they have their concerns too, and they're very involved in standards development. They had a fright in Europe in the early 90s when the introduction of low-sulfur diesel saw widespread damage to injection systems, with excessive wear and failure. The same thing happened in California. They don't want it to happen with biodiesel. This is their statement. Summary -- html Full document -- Acrobat file, 104kb Biodiesel quality testing: Scientists at USDA's Agricultural Research Service have adapted a sophisticated tool known as near-infrared spectroscopy -- NIR -- to help speed the development of biodiesel fuels made with vegetable oils. The standard for measuring biodiesel quality has been a complex analytical method called gas chromatography (GC). But GC is a complex piece of laboratory equipment, requiring technical expertise and at least an hour to perform. It also requires chemical reagents and solvents that need special handling and costly disposal. NIR is a safer and faster way to check the quality of biodiesel fuel, and no special training is needed. See also: Quality NIR Helps Turn Vegetable Oil into High-Quality Biofuel -- ARS News Release, June 15, 1999 Rapid Monitoring of Transesterification and Assessing Biodiesel Fuel Quality by Near-infrared Spectroscopy Using a Fiber-Optic Probe, by Gerhard Knothe, ARS, JAOCS 76, 795-800 (July 1999) Monitoring a Progressing Transesterification Reaction by Fiber-Optic Near Infrared Spectroscopy with Correlation to 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, by Gerhard Knothe, ARS, JAOCS 77, 489-493 (May 2000) Cornmeal Adsorber for Dehydrating Ethanol Vapors -by Michael R. Ladisch et al., Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University. Ground corn is an effective and energy efficient means to remove water from ethanol. And when its drying capacity is worn out, it can be
fermented and distilled to make more ethanol. About half the ethanol now produced in the US is dried using corn grits. This 1981 paper is the original work on the subject. See: Anhydrous ethanol Separating Ethanol From Water -- by Renaldo V. Jenkins of Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, USA. More economical methods of separating water from ethanol to produce anhydrous ethanol: 1. using sulphur 2. using castor oil. Provided by F. Marc de Piolenc. See: Anhydrous ethanol Apparatus for the Continuous Manufacture of Absolute Alcohol -- US Patent 1,704,213, E. Ricard, filed January 23, 1924. Scanned by F. Marc de Piolenc. Acrobat pdf file, 524kb. In html Absolute Alcohol Using Glycerine -- Mariller-Granger Processes, from E. Boullanger: Distillerie Agricole et Industrielle (Paris: Ballire, 1924). Mariller's absolute alcohol production process by dehydration using glycerine, various systems examined and explained. Translation from the French by F. Marc de Piolenc. See: Anhydrous ethanol Wood Alcohol -- from E. Boullanger: Distillerie Agricole et Industrielle (Paris: Ballire, 1924). An examination of the technology of producing ethanol from wood, going back to 1819. This survey covers the field excepting for the new enzymes, which still haven't arrived after 20 years of promises. Translation from the French by F. Marc de Piolenc. Wood-to-Oil Process -- by S. Friedman, A.S. Mehta and P.L. Thigpen, from Considine, Douglas M. (Ed-in-Ch): Energy Technology Handbook (McGraw-Hill, 1977). Scientists at the Pittsburgh Energy Research Center of the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, converted wood wastes, cowdung and garbage into oil in the laboratory. Any cellulosic material can be converted to oil by this process. Economics, Process, Drying and Grinding, Feed Systems, Wood-Oil Slurry Feed System, Solids Feed System, Pretreated Wood-Oil Slurry System, Reaction, Reactor Off-Gases, Oil Recovery, Environmental Considerations. Scanned by F. Marc de Piolenc.
Liquefaction -- Chapter 3, Energy Applications of Biomass, Michael Z. Lowenstein (Ed). (Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, 1985). Natural processes that produce liquids suitable as fuels are performed by certain tree species (e.g., the Brazilian Copaifera langsdorfii tree that yields sesquiterpenes that can be used as diesel fuels without modification, and plants that bear oil seeds; e.g., sunflowers). An approach to the natural production of liquid fuels by biomass is under investigation by Nobel prize winner Melvin Calvin using a combination of natural photosynthesis and genetic manipulation. The overall process consists of three steps: hybridization of Euphorbia lathyris with E. esula,which produces fewer hydrocarbons than E. lathyris but grows as a perennial rather than an annual; modification of the photosynthetic pathway of the hybrid to cyclize C 15 intermediates so that sesquiterpenes are formed; and transfer of the gene that codes for sesquiterpene production from C. langsdorfii to the plant. Scanned by F. Marc de Piolenc Biochemical Sources of Fuels -- by John D. Keenan, Assistant Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. From Considine, Douglas M. (Ed-in-Ch) : Energy Technology Handbook (McGraw-Hill, 1977). Survey of biofuels potential -- Photosynthesis, Photosynthetic Hydrogen, Biochemical Oxidations, Ethanol Fermentation, Butanol-isopropanol Fermentation, Methane Fermentation, Hydrogen Fermentation, Cellulose Degradation, Biochemical Fuel Cells, Extraction of Shale Oil, Conversion Economics, with extensive references. Scanned by F. Marc de Piolenc.
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This is a free library, open to anybody who wants to learn about renewable fuels and related areas. It includes copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Journey to Forever is making this material available in our efforts to advance understanding of ecological sustainability. This material is either out of print and cannot easily be obtained, or, where in print, we have reproduced extracts for purposes of review and comment, with links to the publishers. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in sections 107 and 108 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you
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Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Copyright of all original material on this website is the property of Keith Addison, unless otherwise stated, and may be copied and distributed for non-commercial education purposes only as long as the source of the material is stated and a reference to the Journey to Forever website URL is included (http://journeytoforever.org/). All material is provided as is without guarantees or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Biofuels supplies and suppliers: Journey to Forever
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These are not paid-for advertisements, they're selections made according to our best information and independent recommendations from users, provided as a reader service without any guarantee. If you should buy any of these products, please advise the vendors that you read about their products here. Biodiesel technology Biodiesel processors Biodiesel standards testing (US) Gas Chromatographs Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) Oilseed presses Methanol suppliers Dehydrating ethanol pH testing Washing Pumps Straight vegetable oil systems Fuel heaters, filters Pour-point depressants, winterising equipment Multifuel lamps and stoves Vegetable oil filters Viscosity meters Refractometers Brewing equipment Temperature gauges Automatic temperature control valves Rustproofing, anti-corrosion General equipment Diesel engines Soldering, brazing
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ENERGEA -- The next generation of biodiesel technology -CTER "Continuous Trans Esterification Reactor" technology opens a new chapter in biodiesel production: up to 50% lower cost of investment, turn-key modules the size of a container, multi-feed-stock technology, production capacity 5000 to
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100,000 mt/a or more, high quality fuel according to EN 14214 standard. Email: mail@energea.at http://www.energea.at/ Biofuel Systems provides state-of-the-art biodiesel process equipment which meets all recognised international safety standards (eg. ATEX) and will produce biodiesel from a range of feedstocks to meet recognised standards, including ASTM 675103, EN 14214:2003, DIN V 51606. Currently offers systems from 900 litres per week upwards. Available in Australasia through New Zealand Biofuels Limited, and in the rest of world direct from Biofuel Systems, 58 Church Street, Ormskirk, Lancashire, ENGLAND L39 3AW. Fax: +44 1695 571222 e-mail: info@biofuelsystems.com http://biofuelsystems.com BioDiesel International of Austria uses re-esterification in its multi-feedstock production system to handle fresh and/or waste oils and/or animal fats with as much as 20% fatty acids, with no loss of free fatty acids, 0% wastes, 0% waste water and no disposal costs, resulting in pure biodiesel plus glycerine plus fertilizer (potassium phosphate). http://www.biodiesel-intl.com Ageratec Sweden makes automated biodiesel processors using sequence controllers, ranging from 800 to 8,000 liters capacity. http://www.carryon.se/index.asp?lang=EN The Austrian Biofuels Institute -- an international centre of competence for liquid biofuels: Production: feasibility studies, process technologies for biofuels, project management; Feedstock supply: oilseed plant production and breedin, oil-mill technologies, waste oil recycling, logistic systems for waste oil collection. All countries of the European Union, supports biofuels business projects worldwide. http://www.biodiesel.at/index2.html Pacific Biodiesel -- Plant installation -- two configurations: 200,000 gallons/year (750,000 liters/year), expandable in 200,000 gallons/year increments to maximum 800,000 gallons/year (3,000,000 liters/year); or 400,000 gallons/year (1,500,000 liters/ year) expandable in 400,000 gallons/year increments to maximum 1,600,000 gallons/year (6,000,000 liters/year). Telephone: (808) 877-3144, Fax: (808) 871-5631, info@biodiesel.

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Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
com, Contact Bob King, President bking@biodiesel.com http://www.biodiesel.com Superior Process Technologies, USA -- Multi-feedstock biodiesel processing technology, turn-key engineering and design services. "Superior's biodiesel technology offers the highest efficiency and is scalable from the largest continuous processing facilities in the world to small-scale alternative feedstock facilities." Contact: sales@SuperiorProcessTech.com http://www.SuperiorProcessTech.com
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
Solar box cookers


Biodiesel processors
There are as yet no small-scale ready-made biodiesel processors on the market that are worth having. See for instance this message to the Biofuel mailing list: Re: [biofuel] Best Processer: "You could make an excellent processor plus more than 8,000 gallons of high-quality biodiesel for that price." See Biofuel Systems and Ageratec for small professional systems (Biodiesel technology section, above). For homebrewerscale processors, build your own, it's easy and safe. There's a variety of types and designs here: Biodiesel processors.
Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Standards testing
Biodiesel fuel testing for the US ASTM D-6751 standard: Analytical Testing Services, Inc. http://wetestit.com/ Harris Testing Laboratories, Inc. http://www.harristestinglab.com/quote/d6751.htm
Gas Chromatographs (GC)

SRI Instruments supplies Low Cost Gas Chromatographs, used for biodiesel quality testing. Also sells pre-owned equipment. 20720 Earl Street Torrance, Calif. 90503 U.S.A. Telephone: (310) 214-5092 Fax: (310) 214-5097. (Information from Steve Woolcott, HarvestEnergy, Sydney, Australia) http://www.srigc.com/
Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR)

For Biodiesel quality testing See: NIR Helps Turn Vegetable Oil into High-Quality Biofuel Dr Gerhard Knothe, of ARS, USDA, is willing to help users implement NIR testing for biodiesel. E-mail: knothegh@mail. ncaur.usda.gov NIR equipment suppliers (Information from Steve Woolcott, HarvestEnergy, Sydney, Australia, and Steve Spence of WebConX) Foss NIRSystems http://www.foss-nirsystems.com/ Thermo Electron http://www.thermo.com/ Bruker Optics http://www.bruker.com/optics/pages/products/nir/matrix.htm ISOChem Near Infrared Analyzer from LT Industries http://www.ltindustries.com/prod01.htm Grating Spectrophotometer, absorption photometer http://www.topac.com/spectrophotometer.html Grabner Instruments: IROX Diesel -- Diesel Analysis with FTIR Technology http://www.grabner-instruments.com/index.html
Oilseed presses
The Sunflower Seed Huller and Oil Press -- by Jeff Cox (from Organic Gardening, April 1979, Rodale Press): Vegetable oils used to be one of those items you just HAD to buy. Now here's how to make your own. In 2,500 square feet, a family of four can grow each year enough sunflower seed to produce three gallons of homemade vegetable oil suitable for salads or cooking and 20 pounds of nutritious, dehulled seed -- with enough broken seeds left over to feed a winter's worth of birds. Online at the Journey to Forever Biofuels Library. ApproTec's Mafuti Mali ("Oil Wealth") press is a manual press for small-scale local production. The Hela Mk II is a highperformance manual press for extracting cold-pressed oil from sunflower and other seeds. The extraction efficiency is considered Hela Mk II better than any other manual press -- about 12 kg of sunflower seed per hour. Easy to use, tough and durable, but not cheap -- US$265 in Tanzania. Contact Hugh C. Allen, cd@approtec.or.tz http://www.approtec.org/tech_oil.shtml The Sundhara oil expeller, designed in Germany for use in Nepal, now made in Nepal and Zimbabwe -- 60-70kg/hr (about 15 litres of oil). At the Jatropha Website: http://www.jatropha.org/expellers/sundhara-1.htm Equipment For Decentralised Cold Pressing of Oil Seeds -- the Folkecenter for Renewable Energy, Denmark -- 64page report, detailed descriptions and diagrams, mostly midrange presses from 80kg/hr and up. http://www.folkecenter.dk/plant-oil/publications/efdcpos_html/ index.html PDF -- Acrobat file, 917k http://www.folkecenter.dk/plant-oil/efdcpos_ef.pdf Briquette Presses for Alternate Fuel Use, by Jason Dahlman with Charlie Forst, 2001 -- Design for a simple briquette press that can also be used as an oil
press for seeds. Acrobat file, 2.8Mb http://www.echotech.org/technical/ technotes/Briquete.pdf The Jatropha System -- many oilseed presses detailed here, see "Oil extraction": http://www.jatropha.org/ Small-scale electric screw presses to press oil from seeds from Tbypressen in Sweden. http://www.oilpress.com Tinytech Plants -- Tiny Oil Mill, oil expeller with cooking kettle, Groundnut Decorticator, Sunflower Cracker or Palm Nut Cracker, Copra Cutter, made in Rajkot, India. Includes oil expeller, electrical cooking kettle with digital temperature controller, filter press, electric motor 10 HP, spare parts kit etc. Crushing capacity of 3 tonnes in 24 hours. Can be run with diesel motor. For edible oil or making bio diesel -- green energy and electricity generation. Working successfully in 52 countries. The company follows Gandhian Appropriate Technology principles. Contact: E-mail: tinytech@tinytechindia.com http://www.tinytechindia.com/oil.htm KOMET Vegetable Oil Expeller, IBG Monforts in Germany -- range covers small hand-operated as well as powered machines. Virtually all oil-bearing seeds, nuts, and kernels can be pressed with the standard equipment without cumbersome adjusting of screws and oil outlet holes. The vegetable oil produced generally needs no refining, bleaching, or deodorizing. Big nuts, kernels, and copra (dried coconut meat) have to be crushed to the particle size of peas on the KOMET Cutting Machine "System CRUSHER". IBG Monforts: http://www.oekotec.ibg-monforts.de/ India's United Oil Mill Machinery & Spares Pvt. Ltd manufactures and exports an entire range of machinery and equipment for small, medium and large capacity oil mills for seed preparation, oil expelling, filtration and refining. Oil expellers for extraction of oil from any oil-bearing seed, capacities from 1 ton
to 150 tons per day (24 hours); other machinery/equipment with matching capacities.
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Tiger Mk I Oil Expeller, all steel construction, fitted with steel gears and pinions, fitted with steam heating kettle with electricals, capacity 2 tons per day (24 hours). US $7,500-00 Tiger Mk II Oil Expeller, all steel construction, fitted with steel gears and pinions, fitted with steam heating kettle with electricals, capacity 3-4 tons per day (24 hours). US $9,500-00 Exceoil Mk 2 Automatic Oil Expeller, all steel construction with double reduction helical gear box with steam kettle complete with electricals, capacity 8-10 tons per day (24 hours). US$15,000-00
Prices F.O.B. Indian port. Also manufactures the Wolf baby oil expeller with a capacity of 1 ton per day , caste-iron construction. Email: umas@vsnl.com http://www.umas-india.com Dong Kwang Oil Machine Co., South Korea -- automatic edible oil presses, from 10kg/hr up. For sesame seed, sunflower, palm kernel, cacao, coconut (copra), olive, castor, cotton seed, maize (germ), rice bran, almond (germ), apricot (germ), soya bean, Chinese tung (germ), walnut, peanut, linseed, rape seed, perilla seed, mustard, etc. http://www.dongkwang.co.kr/en_menu/main.html SWEA A/S, Denmark. Double-screw oil press, 30 kg seed/hour, oil yield 25-38%, 6-10 litres oil/hour and approx. 21 kg cake depending on the quality of the seed. http://www.swea.dk English: http://www.swea.dk/GB-menu.html mail@swea.dk HYBREN A/S, Denmark. Mini single-screw press, integrated with full automatic pellet boiler. Adjustable oil yield depending on relation heat demand/fuel demand. Website in Danish: http://www.hybren.dk tn@hybren.dk BT Maskinfabrik, Denmark. Single-screw press, four different models from approx. 4 to 100kg seed/h, oil yield 30-35%
http://www.bt-maskinfabrik.dk "Small-scale Oilseed Processing" by Janet Bachmann, NCAT Agriculture Specialist, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) -- Basic processes involved in smallscale oilseed processing, includes a low-tech method for raw material preparation using sunflower seeds as an example; information on methods and equipment used for oil extraction; notes on clarification, packaging, and storage. Sources for additional information and a list of suitable raw material. http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/oilseed.html PDF version (426 kb): http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/oilseed.pdf "The Manual Screw Press for SmallScale Oil Extraction" by Kathryn H. Potts, Keith MacHell, 1993, Intermediate Technology, ISBN 1853391980 Manual oil extraction from peanuts or other soft oilseeds can be a viable enterprise for small businesses. Describes small-scale processes of oil extraction for use in rural areas, as well as ways to market and distribute the oilcake. From IT Publishing: http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=1853391980 "Small-scale Vegetable Oil Extraction", S W Head, A A Swetman, T W Hammonds, A Gordon, K H Southwell and R V Harris, Natural Resources Institute, 1994, ISBN 0 85954 387-0 -Covers a basic understanding of the science and composition of oils and economic and marketing considerations, principles of oil extraction, basic oilseed processing methods, the major oil sources with specific small and intermediate technologies for each. Results from actual third world situations are used. For example, the discussion of obtaining oil from sesame seed covers a hot water flotation method used in Uganda and Sudan, the bridge press (laboratory only), the ram press in Tanzania, the ghani process in Sudan, and a small-scale expeller in the Gambia. Technical details for each are summarized in a few paragraphs, including oil yields. Includes many drawings that are helpful in understanding each process, with a 14-page appendix listing suppliers of small-scale equipment. From ITDG: http://www.developmentbookshop.com/detail.aspx?ID=971 Understanding Pressure Extraction of Vegetable Oils,
VITA Technical Paper #40, by VITA Volunteers James William Casten and Harry E. Snyder Understanding Solvent Extraction of Vegetable Oils, VITA Technical Paper # 41, by VITA Volunteer Nathan Kessler Yields: Typical oil extraction from 100 kg. of oil seeds: Castor Seed 36 kg Copra 62 kg Cotton Seed 13 kg Groundnut Kernel 42 kg Mustard 35 kg Palm Kernal 36 kg Palm Fruit 20 kg Rapeseed 37 kg Sesame 50 kg Soyabean 14 kg Sunflower 32 kg
Methanol suppliers
In the US, try race circuits. "Contact any bulk, liquid fuels distributor for 55 gallon lots or better. Any bulk propane distributorship should be willing to tell you where they get their methanol from. It's used as a carrier for water, aka a "drying agent." "For smaller lots speak with the management of any speed shop. Their customer base is largely dependant upon methanol availability. If you know anyone who races, they may be willing to part with small quantities. "Also look on the net for distributors of Sunoco Race Fuels. These distributors have access to unblended methanol in all quantities." -- Todd Swearingen, Appal Energy, at the Biofuel mailing list. Dyce Chemical Inc. -- 1353 Taylor Pl., Billings MT, USA (406) 248-3131 -- 99+% methanol available in 55-gallon drums only. Call center (Pennsylvania) 888-926-4151. Sales (Montreal) 514-636-9230. VP Racing Fuels sells pure methanol and has a world-wide distribution network. http://www.vpfuels.com/
Hiperfuels -- Methanol, 5-gallon containers, buy online, delivery by UPS/Fedex. Houston, Texas, USA. Phone 713 3053133, Contact Jess Hewitt, jhewitt@ix.netcom.com http://www.hiperfuels.com http://www.buybiodiesel.com/ Methanex -- one of the largest suppliers in the world. Sales inquiries sales@methanex.com. Phone (800) 661-8851 (toll free in North America), (604) 661-2600 Fax (604) 661-2676. Mail 1800 Waterfront Centre, 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3M1, CANADA. http://www.methanex.com/ Current Methanol Prices Worldwide http://www.methanex.com/methanol/currentprice.htm Please note: Methanex has filed a NAFTA case for US $1 billion over California's decision to phase out the noxious gasoline additive MTBE. "Methanex company is attempting to hold taxpayers hostage to the tune of nearly $1 billion, or 1.2 percent of our state budget, because we had the nerve to ban a product that was contaminating water supplies all over the state" -- Earthjustice. See "Challenge of California MTBE Ban Shows How NAFTA Grants Foreign Corporations Greater Rights Than Local Communities and Businesses": http://www.earthjustice.org/urgent/display.html?ID=58 See also: MTBE
Dehydrating ethanol
To dehydrate ethanol to make ethyl esters biodiesel, use Type 3A Molecular Sieve, 4-8 mesh, which absorbs about 20% of its weight of water in a few hours. Take a liter of 95% ethanol, throw in 250g of the zeolite, swirl occasionally, filter out the next day through a strainer. US$2.05 a pound in 10 lb quantities, and reusable indefinitely. Drive off the water under a broiler for an hour. From Adcoa, 1269 Eagle Vista Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90041. In California: (310) 532-6086. Outside California: Toll Free 800-228-4124. Fax (310) 532-5404. (Information provided by Ken Provost.) http://www.thomasregister.com/olc/adcoa/molecula.htm See Anhydrous ethanol
pH testing
Very cheap testers can be a false economy. Good instruments are available for a reasonable price. It's worthwhile to spend a bit extra and get one with a replaceable electrode. Testing oil -- There are special pH meters made for testing fossil oil products, and they're very expensive. You don't need them for making biodiesel -- all regular pH meters work in natural oils! Measurement takes about 30 seconds in water and up to two minutes in oils. After measuring oils wash the electrode carefully with dishwashing soap and rinse thoroughly, first with tap water and finally with a little distilled water. Never use solvents to clean an epoxy electrode -- solvents are only needed if you sample mineral oil products. ElectrodesDirect.com -- Factory-direct supplier of pH, ORP, Conductivity, CO2, Dissolved Oxygen, Ion Selective and Titration electrodes, meters, and monitors. The retailing window of the largest electrode manufacturers in the world. If you can't find a direct factory replacement in the product listings, send in the technical details of your electrode or application. Supplies electrodes, meters and controllers and more, handheld meters, pocket meters: pHep Pocket pH Testers, from $57.00, pHep 3 model is waterproof with temperature compensation, range 0.0 to 14.0 pH, resolution 0.1 pH, accuracy +/- 0.1 pH, calibration automatic 1 or 2 points. Worldwide sales ex USA. Online customer support: support@electrodesdirect.com http://electrodesdirect.com/ Davis Instruments -- pH Checker with Epoxy Electrode & Batteries, US$ 34.50 -- Accuracy: Better than 0.2pH. Wide Range: 0 to 14pH with 0.01 reading. Long battery life (3000 hrs). http://www.davisontheweb.com/shop/page153.html Fisher Scientific -- Corning Chekmite handheld electronic pH Testers - Follow the path: Catalogs > Fisher Catalog > pH/pX > Meters > Corning > Corning Chekmite* pH Testers http://www.fishersci.com/ Hagen -- Hagen Wide-Range pH Test Kit, measures pH 4.5-9.0, enough for 100 tests (a
user has found you can use half the sample size -- 2.5 ml instead of 5 ml -- and half the number of drops of reagent -- 2 instead of 4 -- to halve the cost) http://www.hagen.com/hagen/canada/english/aquatic/ product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT =124&PROD_ID=01078150010101 Hanna Instruments, Inc. -- pHep simple, inexpensive pocket pH meters, three models, US$33.60 to $39.50, range 0.0 to 14.0 pH, resolution 0.1 pH, accuracy 0.2 pH to 0.1 pH. Website has worldwide branch contact details. http://www.hannainst.com/products/testers/phtstfmy.htm Omega Engineering -- PHH-7X pH Tester with replaceable electrode, 0.01 pH resolution, 3000- hour battery life, $35.00. Also sells 4.01, 7.01 and 10.01 buffer sollution (calibration fluid), $5 each, a must for brand-new pH testing units. http://www.omega.com/ Techtips on pH from Eutech: Introduction to pH and pH Measurement http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips24.htm Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions for pHScan Testers http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips1.htm DOs & DON'Ts http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips2.htm Cleaning & Reconditioning Electrodes http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips3.htm pH Electrode Care and Maintenance http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips26.htm Temperature Compensation for pH Meters http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips4.htm Typical Problems in Industrial pH Measurement & Control - Part I http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips7.htm Typical Problems in Industrial pH Measurement & Control - Part II http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips8.htm Useful information on Maintenance, Troubleshooting and FAQ in Technical section at the ElectrodesDirect.com website: http://electrodesdirect.com/index.php?section_id=3& ElectrodesDirect=3ae363771935ce8cd86f28e2d20565da
Natural test papers -- Cabbage Paper is made of red cabbage leaves -- alkalis change it to green, acids to red. Here's how to make it, and many others. Other pH testing methods are phenolphthalein solution from a chemical supplies company -- not "phenol red" -- and pH test papers, which come in various ranges.
Washing
High-quality bubble stones for biodiesel washing -- instead of plastic these are sintered bronze and won't be affected by alcohol. Listed as sintered bronze muffler filters 40 micron. Sized from 1/8 to 3/4" pipe size fitting, $1.62 to $5.24 US plus S&H. MSC Industrial Supply Co. Phone 1 800 645 7270. Email cust_service@mscdirect.com or producttech@mscdirect.com for technical enquiries. (Found by Gene Hoxie, Sheridan Wy.) http://www.MSCdirect.com/ Try pneumatic exhaust silencers, used to quiet exhaust air from air tools or other air / pneumatic systems. They don't rot, they're cheap and they work very well. See Washing
Pumps
PumpBiz is an international distributor of over 9,000 pumps. "We have been selling pumps to many biodiesel customers over the years. We also pride ourselves in being true pump engineers with lots of knowledge about pump design and pump applications." Centrifugal pumps, magdrive pumps, diaphragm pumps, vertical, magnetic drive, metering pumps, drum barrel pumps, gear pumps, multistage pumps, self-priming trash pumps, peristaltic pumps, jet irrigation pumps and ANSI-standard pumps. "AskHenry Through our patent-pending 12-step process, he'll determine online, 24x7 - the right pump for your application." http://www.pumpbiz.com Pumps FAQ from PumpBiz -- General Pump Information: 1. Main characteristics to be considered 2. Impeller Diameter and RPM 3. Pump Characteristic Performance curve 4. Brake Horsepower 5. Cavitation
6. Time, Temperature and Pressure effects http://www.pumpbiz.com/info/index.cfm?fuseaction=pump_u Little Giant pump -- "This 115 volt pump will handle SVO or heated WVO, biodiesel and water. Originally designed by Little Giant as a solvent pump. Relatively fast, about 300 gph on veg oil. Best little durable, all around pump that your money can buy. Intake and outlets are 1/2" NPT, making plumbing into small diameter systems a snap." - Todd Swearingen, Appal Energy http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp? UID=2003022719402932&catname=&qty=1&item=2-1225 Pony Pump from Flotec -- 115V 360 GPH Self-Priming, Model# 50AC110B, Wt. 5.0 lbs, Item# 109730, $49.99 http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970 &langId=1&catalogId=4006970&PHOTOS =on&productId=16818&categoryId=0 1" Clear Water Pump -- Popular as a mixing pump with biodieselers, but note that this pump is too small for reactors processing more than 100 litres/25 gallons per batch. Harbor Freight Tools -- 1" Clear Water Pump -- Item 1479-1VGA http://www.harborfreight.com/ Northern Tools -- Cast Iron 1in. Clear Water Pump, Model# 109955 (Warning -- very BAD at dealing with international orders!) http://www.northerntool.com/ Northern Tool & Equipment Co. (UK) Ltd. -- 1" Clear Water Pump, Item No. 109955E http://www.northerntooluk.com/ Collecting used oil From Todd Swearingen of Appal Energy: "Best method I've seen yet for collecting oil is a vacuum pump similar to what you'll find on septic service trucks. See:
Enhanced Self-Priming Pump http://www.aquadevice.com/english/ 03pump_universal.htm "Trash pumps work on warm days and can handle burger patties well. It's when the evening chills and you're trying to move pudding that they come up lacking. But if you're moving as much oil as a trash pump or vacuum pump can handle in the summer, the easiest thing to do in winter is switch to a process of exchanging dumpsters, removing full ones to a warm shop."
Fuel heaters, filters

Diesel-Therm "prevents the filter's pores from clogging up at very low temperatures by warming the fuel with a small heating system, which is mounted in front of the filter. In a matter of seconds, the energy-rich paraffin crystals will dissolve and the fuel passes through the filter as if it were summer." http://www.diesel-therm.com/order.htm Racor Diesel Fuel Heaters -- from Parker Hannifin Corp.'s Racor Division -- Heavy-duty In-Fuel-Line Diesel Heater comes installed inside a new fuel line and literally replaces the fuel line between tank and primary filter. It prevents power loss and stalls, and assists starting down to -40 F. This heated path is recommended for extended use in cold weather environments and severe conditions. http://www.parker.com/racor/dfh_intro.html -- from Mid-Atlantic Engine Supply Corp, Cinnaminson, New Jersey. http://www.maesco.com/products/racor/r_dfh_intro/r_dfh_intro. html Racor filters -- from Racor Division (Parker Online Catalog) http://www.parker.com/parkersql/default.asp?type=2&id=27 -- from J & H Diesel Service, Inc., Greenville, Mississippi USA http://www.jhdiesel.com/Racor.htm
Arctic Fox Hotline Electric InLine Fuel Heater -Fuel warmer with internal heat tape in the fuel hose. Before starting, thaw frozen diesel fuel in just 3 to 5 minutes. Can work in conjunction with coolant heaters. 12 or 24 Volt, controlled by a switch on the dash, optional thermostat control. http://www.arctic-fox.com/ sitepages/pid20.php Arctic Fox Hot Fox Fuel Warmer -Simple 1-1&Mac218;2 " (38mm) diameter stainless steel tube inserts in the tank through a standard USA fuel gauge sending unit opening. Coolant passages inside the tube surround the fuel standpipe to provide excellent heat rise. (Assumes you're also using a block heater or coolant heater.) http://www.arctic-fox.com/sitepages/ pid40.php See: Pour-point depressants, winterising equipment
Vegetable oil filters

Vegetable oil filter cones are made of "Pelon", a generic term which can be cotton fiber but is more often synthetic, the longerlived usually being synthetic. It can include adhesive versions of both ("fusible pelon"). Both cotton and synthetic Pelon run between 1.5 and 1.75 ounce for filters. Standard Pelon is usually 1.25 ounce. The thicker Pelons can be found in any upholstery supply warehouse in 48" or 96" bolts. -- Todd Swearingen, Appal Energy. Slip-On Filter Bags: 7" x 18" x 11" 20. Part# 9830K11 -- 10 or more, $1.75 each. McMaster-Carr Catalog , Page 331: http://www.mcmaster.com/
Filter Mesh to Micron Conversion Chart
Multifuel lamps and stoves

Lamps and stoves: Biodiesel does not travel up a wick very well, like kerosene or heating oil will, so it can't be used for ordinary wick lamps or stoves. However, tests have found that it will travel about 7cm up a wick but not more than that, and the wick should preferably be thick (about 1cm) and loosely wound -- tightly-woven commercial wicks won't work well. Biodiesel also might not work in heating furnaces or stoves, though some models work just fine, and others can be adjusted. BriteLyt Petromax multi-fuel lanterns work just fine with biodiesel. "We are happy to report that the burn-time was over 8 hours, at the highest setting, and you did not have to re-pressurize the lantern as often as you would using other fuel-types. The performance was great, and the lantern was just as bright, and there was NO SMELL. Using the product inside, we noticed no smell at all." The lanterns also work with ethanol. 150CP lanterns, run up to 20 hours,1 pint of fuel, approx 100-watts; 500CP lanterns, approx 400-watts. There's a stove-top accessory so you can cook with them too. http://www.britelyt.com/ We've been using biodiesel in this kerosene pressure stove for nearly two years. See one burning biodiesel here. These stoves are common in 3rd World countries ("roarers"), but they're rare in industrialised countries. Ours came from India and it cost US$8. Here are some stoves you can buy on the Internet, but not for $8. BriteLyt Multi-Fuel Brass Pressure Stove. Same family as the BriteLyt-Petromax multifuel pressure lantern, which can burn biodiesel or ethanol. The stove has an adjustable burner, with
preheater and lantern parts and a pressure indicator. Preheats in same manner as the BriteLyt-Petromax lantern. Empty weight 4lbs, fuel capacity approx. 1 qt., 8K-10K BTUs, runs 5-6 hours, on oil base fuels. Polished Brass, Matte Finish on Brass, or Nickel Plated Brass, price: $75.00. http://britelyt.groupee.net/stoves.htm Brass Pressure Stove -- 8.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches tall, disassembles quickly, produces around 8,000 btu, runs on kerosene or diesel fuel. Available in the US via the Internet, priice $48. No wicks, it holds a little more than a pint of fuel and will run 3-4 hours on one tankful. http://www.stpaulmercantile.com/buttrfly. htm XGK Expedition Stove: "This stove is tough enough to handle any fuelwhite gas, kerosene and even poor quality diesel, to name a few." http://www.msrcorp.com/prod/prod_stoves1.htm WhisperLite Internationale 600: Multi-fuel burning lightweight camping stoves -- use MSR White Gas, kerosene, jet fuel or auto gas. http://www.msrcorp.com/prod/prod_stoves1.htm#4 Optimus NOVA Multifuel Expedition Stove -- The burner capacity is enough to prepare meals for two persons in extreme conditions. Multifuel technology means that you will find fuel anywhere in the world. Appr. 2.850 Watts/9,700 BTU. Burning time: Up to 2.5 hours at high output (one filling=0.45 L /15.5 fl. oz.). http://www.optimus.se/products/nova/ Optimus HIKER Multifuel Expedition Stove -- "The Himalaya Stove". The Hiker is a multifuel stove, wherever you go, you will be able to find fuel for your Hiker. No conversion needed between ordinary fuels (when using methylated spirits/alcohol, simply change the burner jet). Fuels: Kerosene/paraffin, white gasoline/petrol, diesel oil, methylated alcohol/spirits and Coleman fuel. Appr. 3.000 watts/10.000 BTU. Burning time: Up to 2 hours on one filling (0.35 litres/12 oz.) at high output.
http://www.optimus.se/products/hiker/
Viscosity meter
Some people use viscosity measures to check the "quality" of their biodiesel. Unfortunately, it won't tell you that, excepting in a laboratory with highly accurate equipment, and even then it would be only a part-indication. Impurities such as mono- and diglycerides have viscosity values close to those of biodiesel, and the small quantities that make all the difference between poor and good conversion can't be measured this way at the homebrewlevel. Viscosity can be a useful comparative indicator, especially when doing test batches. See Viscosity testing. The Marsh Funnel Viscometer is a simple device for indicating viscosity on a routine basis. When used with a measuring cup, the funnel gives an empirical value for the consistency of a fluid. From Fann Instrument Company, Part No. 20100. (With thanks to Huseyin Turcan.) http://www.fann.com/product_ overview1.asp?iprod=20100&catid=4 Visgage Pocket Viscosity Comparator oil viscosity testing instrument -- the VISGAGE checks oil viscosity on-site quickly and conveniently, without thermometers or stop watches. It can be used to check any oil from light spindle oil to heavy gear oils. Simple to operate, accuracy of 95% or better.Made by Louis C. Eitzen Company, Inc. , email: sales@Visgage.com http://www.visgage.com/pocket.html You can make your own viscosity meter. Aleks Kac offered this advice to a Biofuel mailing list member struggling to get his home furnace working with biodiesel: Kinematic viscosity is measured in "Stokes". You cannot measure it at home without a viscosimeter. There is a comparative way, though. Take a liquid with a known
viscosity value (petroleum heating oil, look the value up in an engineering manual) and let a known volume flow through an upside-down plastic water bottle with a drinking straw glued in a hole in the screw top. Stop the time with a stopwatch. Do the same with your biodiesel (same volume) and compare the results. Generally a smaller diameter straw will produce more accurate results. If the time of your sample is 1.5 the time of your control sample (petroleum oil), this means its viscosity is roughly 1.6-ish that of the control sample. -- Aleks Kac, 6 Nov 2001. You can use two straws, the second one to let air in for a smooth flow of oil -- see how we do it with small test batches of methoxide: Adding the methoxide
Refractometers
Atago refractometers. With Auto Temp Compensation: ATC-1E: Y20,000; ATC-2E: Y21,000. Manual adjustment: Model N-1E, Y14,000; N-2E Y15,000. Heat resistant: H-50 and H-80, both Y25,000. 32-10 Honcho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0001, Japan. Phone 81-3-3964-6131, Fax 81-3-3964-6137, E-mail: export@atago.net http://www.atago.net/product/hand/hand1.html#1 Sugar Refractometers from Cole-Parmer: http://www.coleparmer.com/catalog/product_list.asp?cls=5119 &par=5116,5118&cat=14&sch=318&sku=&sel=
Brewing equipment
Tony Ackland explains what you need at the Home Distillation of Alcohol (Homemade Alcohol) site -- thermometers, hydrometers, fermenters, etc. http://homedistiller.org/equipment.htm The Revenoor Co. -- Stills ranging from 5 gallons to 1,000 gallons, and an interesting, 3,500-word introductory article on producing alcohol as a fuel from veteran distiller Terry Wilhelm. http://revenoor.com/ New Zealand commercial suppliers Spirits Unlimited, mail
order: http://www.spiritsunlimited.co.nz/ Ray Toms' Moonshine Supplies -- Ray "in his own humble opinion is the best person to help you with any brewing problems you may come across". Mail order New Zealand and world-wide (local law is your problem). Hydrometers, Hyper Yeast, Turbo Yeast, other yeasts, and much more: http://moonshine.co.nz/spirit.html Gert Strand AB -- Distillers Yeast, including Turbo Yeast 20%, plus useful turbo yeast FAQ. Order Online (freight takes two weeks, from Sweden). E-mail: strand@partyman.se http://www.turbo-yeast.com/distillersyeast.html Brewhaus Inc. -- Gert Strand AB's distributor in North America. E-mail: info@brewhaus.com http://www.brewhaus.com The Brewery's Technical Library for articles on brewing related topics -- see Yeasts. http://www.brewery.org/brewery/Library.html
Temperature gauges
Ashcroft Bimetal Thermometers http://www.ashcroft-gauges.com/thermometers/default.htm WIKA Bimetal Thermometers http://www.wika.com/ OAKTON Instruments -- pH meters, thermometers and other equipment: "best quality waterproof instruments, many for under US$100, available from stock from a wide variety of distributors". http://www.4oakton.com
Automatic temperature control valves

Penn Bradshaw water regulating valve, part number is nsv47ab-4. Johnstone Supply, Chattanooga TN. Phone 1 800 5250387, Price US$229.00, pay by credit card. Danfoss Model AVTA: -25 to +130 C, with +50 to +90 C
capillary bulb, opening on rising temp. (can be reversed), differential pressure 0 to 10 bar, max test pressure 25 bar, accuracy of 1% either side. http://www.danfoss.com/ Metrex 800-T-37SE http://www.metrexvalve.com/valvesw1.htm
Rustproofing, anti-corrosion
POR-15 -- General rustproofing, repairing leaking fuel tanks, protecting steel biodiesel processors from corrosion, and more -- a permanent solution. "POR-15 was tested for 168 hours at 97F in a condensing humidity salt spray (ASTM B117). At the end of the test period, coated steel was free of rust or pitting. Acid and alkali resistance tests performed found panels coated with POR-15 to be impervious to gasoline, oil, chromic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, caustic soda, 50% sulfuric acid, and 50% hydrofluoric acid. POR15 was applied over a rusty substrate as a finish coat (approximately 23 mils dry film thickness). The coating showed essentially no undercutting at the scribed area after 2000 hours in a weatherometer. "A 2 mil thickness of POR-15 was applied to lightly rusted steel and then exposed for 1000 hours to a salt spray. At the end of the test period, no undercutting was observed at the scribed area. Recoatability is excellent. Laboratory tests have shown very good adhesion when applied up to 14 days after application of the first coat. In an actual Field test, a topcoat was applied 6 weeks after the first coat had been applied, and the intercoat adhesion was excellent as determined by a crosshatch tape test. A metal box used as a filter for raw sewage was coated with POR-15 and placed in service within a few hours after the interior and exterior were coated. No visible rusting occurred at the welded areas after a six month exposure. "A POR-15 coating was subjected to 700F for 10 hours; it remained hard and showed no apparent loss of adhesion. A panel subjected to elongation was pulled beyond the yield point of the base metal without affecting the POR-15 coating."
We've used it, it works exactly as claimed. http://www.por15.com/ How to remove all rust from steels tools and parts.
General equipment
Universal Process Equipment, Inc. -- used gear at good prices: Evaporators, milling, reactors, extruders, mixers, fermenters, filtration, kilns, glass lined equipment, others, incinerators, complete processes, furnaces, glass lined equipment, heat exchangers, tanks, turbines, generators, centrifuges, chillers, compressors, dryers, boilers, pulverizers. Complete plants available. US-based, deals worldwide. http://www.upe.com/
Diesel engines
Diesel Engine Trader .com -- New, Remanufactured, Reconditioned diesel engines, Marine Industrial diesel engines, Marine diesel motors, Diesel engine spares -- the HUB for trading diesel engines, worldwide. http://dieselenginetrader.com/det_cfm/Index_1.html
Soldering
There's a good primer on Solder & Brazing at Tony Ackland's Home Distillation of Alcohol site: http://www.homedistiller.org/materials.htm#solder The Brazing Book -- A well-known classic by Handy & Harman, now updated and online in full-text. For both the novice brazer and the seasoned engineer. Five main sections: Section One, "The Idea of Brazing," explains exactly what brazing is, where to use it, and how to perform it properly. Section Two, "Brazing in Action," presents detailed photographic case histories illustrating some of the many applications in which brazing is used today. Section Three, "Choices In Brazing Materials," plus technical reference tables and related information. Section Four, "Available Reference Materials." From The Precious Metals Fabrication Group. http://www.handyharmancanada.com/TheBrazingBook/bbook. htm
About.com has two useful articles on soldering by Tammy Powl. The scale is a bit different -- Tammy's a jewelry maker -but the principles are the same. Soldering Tips http://jewelrymaking.about.com/hobbies/jewelrymaking/ library/weekly/aa011199.htm?rnk=r4&terms=silver+solder Step by Step Soldering http://jewelrymaking.about.com/hobbies/jewelrymaking/ library/weekly/aa011899.htm?rnk=r6&terms=silver+solder DISCLAIMER: The information on this page is provided in good faith and is accurate to the best of our knowledge. It is provided without any guarantees or liability. Journey to Forever is in no way responsible or accountable for any information provided on any of the external websites referred to above.
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web
Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Biodiesel: Journey to Forever
Biodiesel
Email to Journey to Forever friends, Friday 23 April 1999:
Site Search
"We turned our kitchen into a sort of illicit still and made a hell of a mess in there brewing biodiesel fuel out of about 60 litres of yukky waste cooking oil we got from behind McDonald's one night (they were happy to give it to us once we told them we didn't want to eat it). We were sure it would work, but we had to make it ourselves first -- we're not chemists, and if we can make it anyone can. "And it works! Amazing! Last night we put the stuff in Midori's old diesel Land Rover and it ran like a dream and smelt like a bunch of roses! Well, French fried roses anyway. Now it runs clean, on waste Big Mac residues we brewed up in a bucket in the kitchen, and we're very tickled!"
Biofuels
Make your first test batch of biodiesel

Start here -- What you need, what to do, how to do it, everything you need to know -- step by step instructions for making high-quality biodiesel fuel, from novice to advanced level.
Biodiesel facts
Biodiesel is much cleaner than fossil-fuel diesel ("dinodiesel"). It can be used in any diesel engine with no need for modifications -- in fact
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diesel engines run better and last longer with biodiesel. And it can easily be made from a common waste product -- used cooking oil.
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Biodiesel fuel burns up to 75% cleaner The raw material -- used cooking than conventional oil. diesel fuel made from fossil fuels Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in exhaust fumes Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulphur) Biodiesel is plant-based and adds no CO2 to the atmosphere The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than conventional diesel fuel Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions may increase or decrease but can be reduced to well below conventional diesel fuel levels by adjusting engine timing and other means Biodiesel exhaust is not offensive and doesn't cause eye irritation (it smells like French fries!) Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, "more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt" (US National Biodiesel Board) Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine Fuel economy is the same as conventional diesel fuel Biodiesel is a much better lubricant than conventional diesel fuel and extends engine life -- a German truck won an entry in the Guinness Book of Records by travelling more than 1.25 million km (780,000 miles) on biodiesel with its original engine Biodiesel has a high cetane rating, which improves engine performance: 20% biodiesel added to conventional diesel fuel improves the cetane rating 3 points, making it a Premium fuel Biodiesel can be mixed with ordinary petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion, with no need for a mixing additive. Even a small amount of biodiesel means cleaner emissions and better engine lubrication: 1% biodiesel will increase lubricity by 65%
Biodiesel can be produced from any fat or vegetable oil, including waste cooking oil.
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
See the National Biodiesel Board's complete evaluation of biodiesel emissions and potential health effects, in accordance with the most stringent emissions testing protocols ever required by the US EPA (Acrobat file, 40 kb): http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/emissions.pdf Summary:
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Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
The overall ozone (smog) forming potential of biodiesel is almost 50% less than diesel fuel. Sulfur emissions are eliminated. Substantial reductions of unburned hydrocarbons (-93%), carbon monoxide (-50%), and particulate matter (-30%). Biodiesel NOx emissions can be efficiently eliminated as a concern. Substantial reductions of cancer-causing PAH (-80%) and nitrited PAH compounds (-90%).
Diesel emissions and cancer

According to a U.S. Department of Energy study completed at the University of California at Davis, the use of pure biodiesel instead of petroleum-based diesel fuel could offer a 93.6% reduction in cancer risks from exhaust emissions exposure. The study, "Chemical and Bioassay Analyses of Diesel and Biodiesel Particulate Matter", 1996, used a 1995 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup truck with a 5.9-litre Cummins B Turbo diesel and tested 100% ethyl ester of rapeseed oil (REE), 100% diesel 2-D lowsulfur fuel and blends of 20% REE and 50% REE with the 2-D diesel fuel. An EPA test cycle was followed throughout. In test after test the study found the highest risk came from 100% diesel fuel, followed by the 20% REE blend, the 50% REE blend and, lowest risk, the pure biodiesel. "Use of the 100% REE fuel produced the lowest genotoxic (DNA-damaging) activity in the tests. Blended fuels in the noncatalyst-equipped engine produced less emissions than emissions than the 100% diesel fuel... The use of the 100% REE fuel resulted in the lowest emissions compared to the REE blends and 100% diesel fuels. "The highest relative specific mass mutagenic activity collected
during either the hot or cold test cycles was the particulate matter collected from the 100% diesel fuel emissions... The lowest relative specific mass mutagenic activity was from the particulate matter collected from emissions of l00% REE fuel." NOTE: There's nothing special about ethyl ester of rapeseed oil biodiesel, other types of biodiesel have similar results. Chemical and Bioassay Analyses of Diesel and Biodiesel Particulate Matter: Pilot Study -- Final Report by Norman Y. Kado, Robert A. Okamoto and Paul A. Kuzmicky, Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California, November 1996. Acrobat file, 3.1Mb. UC Davis biodiesel study -- summary: the Summary, Results and Discussion sections of the report, in html format.
Greenhouse gases and global warming

Using vegetable oils or animal fats as fuel for motor vehicles is in effect running them on solar energy. All biofuels, including ethanol, are derived from the conversion of sunlight to energy (carbohydrates) that takes place in the green leaves of plants. Plants take up carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere; burning plant (or animal) products in an engine releases the CO2 uptake back into the atmosphere, to be taken up again by other plants. The CO2 is recycled, atmospheric CO2 levels remain constant. Thus biofuels do not increase global warming -- unlike fossil fuels, which release large amounts of new (or rather very old) CO2 which has been locked away from the atmosphere for aeons. In fact biodiesel can actually reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere: for example, growing soybeans takes nearly four times as much CO2 out of the atmosphere as the amount of CO2 released in the exhaust from burning soybean oil biodiesel. See also [Biofuel] CO2 emissions: http://snipurl.com/rmgo
Energy efficiency
According to a comparative life-cycle study by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
biodiesel requires only 0.31 units of fossil energy to make 1 unit of fuel. (An Overview of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel Life Cycles) http://www.ott.doe.gov/biofuels/docs/lifecycle.html "By contrast, it takes 1.2 units of fossil resources to produce 1 unit of petroleum diesel," the study says. We wonder what the energy efficiency figures for biodiesel would be if fossil fuels were eliminated from the equation and the entire production process powered by biofuels, from planting the seeds to filling the tank?
Grow your own

Rapeseed (Brassica Napus), or canola, produces about 2,000 pounds of seed per acre, yielding about 100 gallons of vegetable oil for fuel, and 1,200 pounds of high-protein meal (seedcake) that can be used for livestock feed or as an organic fertilizer. The seedcake could also be used to make ethanol, and so could the several tons of crop wastes. Yields from soybeans are about 60 gallons per acre, from coconuts more than 200 gallons per acre, and from oil palms more than 500 gallons per acre. (See Vegetable oil yields.) For small-timers, one bushel of canola (rapeseed) produces about 3 gallons of biodiesel -- that's about three to one by volume. For a range of oilseed presses, from hand-powered presses you can make yourself to 150-tons per day industrial models, see Oilseed presses at our Biofuels supplies and suppliers page. The Sunflower Seed Huller and Oil Press -- by Jeff Cox (from Organic Gardening, April 1979, Rodale Press): Vegetable oils used to be one of those items you just HAD to buy. Now here's how to make your own. In 2,500 square feet, a family of four can grow each year enough sunflower seed to produce three gallons of homemade vegetable oil suitable for salads or cooking and 20 pounds of nutritious, dehulled seed -- with enough broken seeds left over to feed a winter's worth of birds. Online at the Journey to Forever Biofuels Library. "Small-scale Oilseed Processing" by Janet Bachmann, NCAT Agriculture Specialist, Appropriate Technology Transfer
for Rural Areas (ATTRA) -- Basic processes involved in smallscale oilseed processing, includes a low-tech method for raw material preparation using sunflower seeds as an example; information on methods and equipment used for oil extraction; notes on clarification, packaging, and storage. Sources for additional information and a list of suitable raw material. http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/oilseed.html "The Manual Screw Press for SmallScale Oil Extraction" by Kathryn H. Potts, Keith MacHell, 1993, Intermediate Technology, ISBN 1853391980 Manual oil extraction from peanuts or other soft oilseeds can be a viable enterprise for small businesses. Describes small-scale processes of oil extraction for use in rural areas, as well as ways to market and distribute the oilcake. From IT Publishing: http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=1853391980 "Small-scale Vegetable Oil Extraction", S W Head, A A Swetman, T W Hammonds, A Gordon, K H Southwell and R V Harris, Natural Resources Institute, 1994, ISBN 0 85954 387-0 -Covers a basic understanding of the science and composition of oils and economic and marketing considerations, principles of oil extraction, basic oilseed processing methods, the major oil sources with specific small and intermediate technologies for each. Results from actual third world situations are used. For example, the discussion of obtaining oil from sesame seed covers a hot water flotation method used in Uganda and Sudan, the bridge press (laboratory only), the ram press in Tanzania, the ghani process in Sudan, and a small-scale expeller in the Gambia. Technical details for each are summarized in a few paragraphs, including oil yields. Includes many drawings that are helpful in understanding each process, with a 14-page appendix listing suppliers of small-scale equipment. From ITDG: http://www.developmentbookshop.com/detail.aspx?ID=971 Understanding Pressure Extraction of Vegetable Oils, VITA Technical Paper #40, by VITA Volunteers James William Casten and Harry E. Snyder Understanding Solvent Extraction of Vegetable Oils, VITA Technical Paper # 41, by VITA Volunteer Nathan Kessler
Official
Biodiesel is recognized by both the US Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy as an alternative fuel, and qualifies for mandated programs under the Clean Air Act Amendments and the Environmental Protection Act of 1992 (EPAct). In California, biodiesel has been approved for use in remediation of petroleum oil spills. US Department of Energy approval: "Vehicle fleets currently required to purchase light duty alternative fueled vehicles under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 will be now allowed to purchase biodiesel fuel as an alternative, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham has approved a final rule allowing biodiesel fuel to qualify as an alternative fuel for automobile fleets under the Energy Policy Act." -- U.S. Department of Energy, April 30, 2001. "The continued use of biomass products like biodiesel in our vehicle fleets, for power generation and for other products and materials will help the environment and help diversify our energy resources," said Abraham. USDA Clears Air with Biodiesel: Buses and other dieselburning vehicles run cleaner if they mix biodiesel with regular diesel fuel, said the US Department of Agriculture at a biodiesel fuel seminar at a USDA research center. "The program is part of a federal effort to reduce reliance on petroleum and create new markets for US crops," said Floyd P. Horn, administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, USDA's chief scientific agency. "Crop-based diesel burns cleaner, less sooty. One of our goals is to increase the federal government's purchases of bio-based fuel and other products by 10% per year over the next 5 years. We want to encourage the private sector and local governments to do the same." (January 13, 2000) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2000/000113.htm Biodiesel is widely used in Europe. Germany has more than 1,500 filling stations selling biodiesel at the pump. France is the world's largest producer: all French diesel fuel contains between 2% and 5% biodiesel, and that will soon apply to the whole of Europe.
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel
Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Mtodo de Mike Pelly: Journey to Forever
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Mtodo de Mike Pelly para producir biodisel

Mike Pelly vive en el noroeste de EE.UU. "Vivo para los proyectos de energas renovables", dice. Durante los cinco ltimos aos Preparndose para la feria. Mike Mike ha estado promueve el biodisel siempre que produciendo puede. biodisel con aceite usado en la cocina, y lo ha probado en muchos coches distintos. Le parece que es "mucho mejor" que disel fsil. Mike nos mand una descripcin completa de su mtodo. "Es el resultado de mi trabajo de los ltimos cinco aos y de las contribuciones de otras personas ms experimentadas", dijo. "Podeis ensearselo a quien querais". Bien, aqu est.

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Biocombustibles
biodisel de grasas o aceites usados en la cocina

por Mike Pelly
Aqu se explica cmo puedes fabricar tu propio biodisel a partir de aceites y grasas que han sido utilizados en la cocina. Estas grasas -- aceite usado en la cocina, aceite de freidora, grasas animales, manteca -- normalmente pueden conseguirse gratis. El nuevo reactor de Slo necesitas unos pocos biodisel de Mike productos qumicos fciles de conseguir y un equipo que puedes comprar o fabricarte t mismo. El resultado es un combustible disel barato, limpio,
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no txico, renobable, y de gran calidad que puedes usar en tu coche sin tener que modificar el motor. PRECAUCIN: Ponte guantes, un delantal, y gafas protectoras, y no respires los vapores. El metanol puede causar ceguera y la muerte, y no hace falta que lo bebas, es absorbido por la piel. El hidrxido de sodio puede causar quemaduras graves y la muerte. Cuando se unen forman metxido de sodio, que es extremadamente castico. Son productos peligrosos. Ten mucho cuidado! Cuando los manipules ten siempre cerca un grifo de agua corriente. El lugar de trabajo tiene que estar muy bien ventilado. No puede haber cerca nios ni mascotas. Consulta Seguridad para obtener ms informacin.
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Ingredientes
Mezcla: Mike en portada del diario Aceite de cocina usado; por The Seattle Times, 30 ejemplo, aceite de freidora. de septiembre de 2002 Metanol (CH3OH) con una pureza del 99% o ms. Hidrxido de sodio (NaOH, sosa custica, leja); debe estar seco. Valoracin: Alcohol isoproplico con una pureza del 99% o ms. Agua destilada Solucin de fenolftalena (que no tenga ms de un ao, protegerla de la luz intensa) -- El "fenol", o "rojo de fenol", que se vende para las piscinas no es lo mismo que la fenolftalena; se puede usar, pero el modo de empleo puede ser distinto. lavado: Vinagre
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1. Filtra el aceite para quitarle los restos slidos. 2. Calintalo para quitarle el agua (opcional). 3. Haz la valoracin para determinar cunto catalizador es necesario. 4. Prepara el metxido de sodio. Mike Pelly public el 5. Calienta el aceite, y artculo "Make fuel vierte dentro el metxido from used kitchen mientras agitas. grease" en el nmero 6. Deja que sedimente, enero/febrero de 2001 de separa la glicerina. la revista Countryside 7. Lava y seca el producto Magazine. final. 8. Comprueba su calidad. Este proceso se llama transesterificacin, y es similar a la saponificacin. Te suena? La saponificacin forma jabn. Para hacer jabn se mezclan triglicridos (aceite, grasa) con una disolucin de hidrxido de sodio (NaOH, sosa custica, leja) en agua. En esta reaccin las cadenas de ester, tambin llamadas lpidos, se separan de la glicerina y se unen al sodio para formar jabn. Uno de sus extremos es atrado por molculas polares como el agua, y el otro es atrado por molculas apolares como el aceite. Esa es la caracterstica que hace tiles a los jabones. En la transesterificacin la leja y el metanol se unen para formar metxido de sodio (Na+ CH3O-). Cuando se mezcla el metxido con aceite, rompe las uniones de la molcula de aceite, liberando glicerina y cidos grasos. Estos ltimos se unen al metanol formando biodisel,
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
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Compost
La rueda de la vida
Small farms
The way forward
Biocombustibles
Solar box cookers
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What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers

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y un poco de jabn a veces. Si se utiliza metanol el producto final se llama metilster, y si se utiliza etanol se llama etilster. Estos dibujos muestran las dos reacciones. Las lneas quebradas del triglicrido (Figura 1) representan cadenas de carbono, y cada vrtice de la lnea quebrada representa a un tomo de carbono.
Figura 1
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The Beach House fish pond HOMeR Eco-footprint En las figuras 2 y 3 las lneas cerradas han sido sustituidas por R1, R2 y R3.
Figura 2
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1. Filtrado
Filtra el aceite para quitarle los restos de comida. Puede que tengas que calentarlo hasta 35 C (95 F), aproximadamente, para que est ms fluido y pase bien por el filtro. Puedes
usar un pao o un filtro de caf.
2. Quitar el agua
Mucha gente calienta el aceite para quitarle el agua. El aceite que ha sido utilizado para cocinar suele contener agua, que ralentiza la reaccin y favorece la saponificacin. Cuanta menos agua, mejor. As es como lo hacen. Hay que calentar hasta 100 C (212 F) y mantener la temperatura mientras el agua se evapora. Agita constantemente para evitar que se Mike y Joe. Joe es un granjero formen burbujas de orgnico que produce cuarenta vapor, que luego galones de biodisel cada semana explotan salpicando para su tractor y su camin. aceite caliente. Tambin puedes drenar el agua segn se va hundiendo hasta el fondo; despus puedes recuperar el aceite que se haya ido con el agua. Cuando empiece a salir menos vapor aumenta la temperatura hasta 130 C (265 F) y mantenla durante diez minutos. Luego deja de calentar y espera a que se enfre.
Color de la muestra cuando el pH es correcto
Balanza para pesar las cantidades exactas de los productos
Muestra de aceite para la valoracin
Puede que tengas suerte y encuentres una fuente de suministro de aceite que no contenga agua, en ese caso no trates de quitrsela, ahorrars tiempo y energa. Yo prefiero no hacerlo para ahorrar, pero si no ests seguro de si tiene agua es mejor que incluyas este paso.
3. Valoracin
Para saber cuanta leja es necesaria, hay que medir la acidez del aceite con un mtodo que se llama valoracin. Es la parte ms importante y ms difcil del proceso. La valoracin debe ser lo ms exacta posible. IMPORTANTE: La leja tiene que estar seca. Protgela de la humedad dentro de un recipiente hermtico.
Midiendo la cantidad de leja
Prepara una disolucin de un gramo de leja en un litro de agua destilada asegurndote de que queda totalmente disuelta. Esta muestra sirve como valor de referencia en la valoracin. Es importante que esta disolucin no se contamine porque ser utilizada en muchas valoraciones. Mezcla en un recipiente pequeo 10 ml de alcohol isoproplico con 1 ml del aceite (asegrate de que es exactamente 1 ml). Coge la muestra de aceite despus de haberlo calentado y agitado (Figura 5 #1). Aade dos gotas de fenolftalena, que es un indicador cidobase incoloro en presencia de cidos, y rojo en presencia de bases. IMPORTANTE: La fenolftalena se conserva bien durante un ao nada ms. Se degrada fcilmente con la luz y empieza a dar medidas errneas despues de un tiempo. Con un cuentagotas graduado (que permita medir dcimas de mililitro), o algn otro instrumento calibrado, pon en la disolucin de aceite/isoproplico/fenolftalena gotas de la solucin de leja. Cada gota debe tener dos dcimas de ml, medidas con mucha exactitud. Despus de cada gota agita vigorosamente la disolucin. En climas fros puede que el aceite se espese y tengas que hacer la valoracin dentro de casa. Si todo sale bien la disolucin se volver magenta (rosa) y mantendr ese color durante diez segundos. El magenta indica un pH de entre 8 y 9 (mira la fotografa de la columna izquierda de esta pgina, "Color de la muestra cuando el pH es correcto"). Es importante que heches la cantidad exacta para alcanzar ese pH, no pongas ms gotas de las necesarias! El objetivo de la valoracin es averiguar el nmero de ml de solucin de leja necesarios para alcanzar un pH de entre 8 y 9. Es recomendable hacer la valoracin ms de una vez para comprobar que la medida sea correcta. Dependiendo del tipo de aceite, de la temperatura que alcanz en la freidora, de los alimentos que fueron cocinados en l y del tiempo de uso, la cantidad de disolucin de leja necesaria en la valoracin suele ser de entre 1,5 y 3 ml. Tambin sirven el papel tornasol y los medidores de pH digitales en sustitucin de la fenolftalena. Si pruebas con aceite de cocina sin usar, necesitar mucha menos leja para alcanzar el pH 8-9.
Encendido del quemador
Vista del mezclador de metxido (izquierda) y del reactor (derecha)
Traspaso de metxido de su mezclador al reactor
Vlvula en el fondo del reactor para decantar la glicerina
El clculo
El siguiente paso es calcular la cantidad de leja necesaria para la reaccin. Multiplica el nmero de ml medidos en la valoracin por el nmero de litros de aceite que vas a convertir en biodisel.
Bomba y filtros
En el clculo hay que incluir algo ms. Cada litro de aceite que NO ha sido cocinado (aceite nuevo) necesita 3,5 gr de leja para la reaccin. Por eso hay que sumar 3,5 gr de leja por cada litro de aceite cocinado que se vaya a transesterificar. Por ejemplo: en la valoracin fueron necesarios 2,4 ml para alcanzar el pH 8-9 y vas a usar 150 litros de aceite.
Reactor montado sobre un remolque. Se ven la botella de propano (para calentar), el tanque de reaccin y dos tanques de sedimentacin.
2,4 gr leja x 150 l aceite = 360 gr leja 3,5 gr leja x 150 l aceite = 525 gr leja 360 gr + 525 gr = 885 gramos de leja Otro ejemplo: si el resultado de la valoracin hubiera sido de 1,8 ml la cantidad final de leja habra sido de 795 gramos. Normalmente hacen falta entre seis y siete gramos de leja por cada litro de aceite.
Lotes de prueba
Producto acabado
Las primeras veces que hagas esto, y tambin cuando vayas a procesar grandes cantidades de aceite, debes hacer pequeas pruebas de un litro con una batidora de cocina. Es un mtodo que funciona bien, y no hace falta calentar mucho el aceite, slo lo suficiente para poder batirlo bien. Empieza mezclando la leja y el metanol con la batidora (no podrs volver a usar la batidora con alimentos NUNCA MS). La batidora y los dems utensilios deben estar secos. Cuando se forma el metxido el recipiente se calienta un poco. Sigue batiendo hasta que la leja est totalmente disuelta. Despus de preparar el metxido de sodio aade un litro de aceite. asegrate de que los pesos y los volmenes son precisos. Si no ests seguro de que el resultado de la valoracin sea correcto puedes poner 6 - 6,25 gr de leja por
El primer reactor que Mike construy
litro de aceite usado, 3,5 gr/l para el aceite nuevo. En estas pruebas hay que batir durante 15 20 minutos; para que se complete la separacin hace falta ms tiempo. Justo despus de batir puede cambiarse la mezcla a otro recipiente. Es bueno hacer varias pruebas con distintas cantidades de leja para saber cul es la cantidad ms adecuada. Cuando hay demasiada leja a veces se forma una pasta inservible (Consulta Glop soap). Si no hay suficiente leja la reaccin no se completa y queda aceite mezclado con el biodisel y la glicerina. Cuando eso ocurre se forman tres capas: el biodisel arriba, el aceite en medio y la glicerina en el fondo. Si haba mucha agua mezclada con el aceite se forman jabones que luego forman una capa sobre la de glicerina. Es difcil separar los jabones del biodisel y la glicerina.
4. Preparacin del metxido de sodio

Generalmente la cantidad de metanol necesaria es del 20% en masa de la cantidad de aceite. Las densidades de los dos lquidos son bastante parecidas; tambin debera funcionar con el 20% en volumen. Para estar completamente seguro, mide medio litro de cada lquido, pesalos y calcula exactamente el 20% en masa. Distintos aceites pueden tener distintas densidades dependiendo de su procedencia y de cmo hayan sido cocinados. Por ejemplo: para 100 litros de aceite hacen falta 20 litros de metanol. Cuando se mezcla el metanol con el hidrxido de sodio (leja) se produce una reaccin exotrmica cuyo resultado es el metxido de sodio. "Exotrmica" quiere decir que desprende calor. Los utensilios que entren en contacto con la leja deben estar totalmente secos. ADVERTENCIA: Trata el metxido de sodio con extremo cuidado! No respires sus vapores! Si te cae sobre la piel te quemar sin que t lo notes porque mata los nervios. Hay que lavar la zona con muchsima agua. Cuando manipules metxido de sodio ten siempre cerca agua corriente. El metxido de sodio tambin es muy corrosivo para las
pinturas. La leja reacciona con el aluminio, el estao y el zinc. Utiliza recipientes de vidrio, de acero inoxidabe, o esmaltados. Los mejores son los de acero inoxidable.
5. Calentar y mezclar
Calienta el aceite hasta 48-54 C (120-130 F). Para mezclar puedes usar una taladradora elctrica, firmemente sujeta, que haga girar una hlice o un mezclador de pintura. Un giro demasiado rpido produce salpicaduras y burbujas y perjudica al resultado final. Para conseguir un buen resultado ajusta la velocidad, la forma de la hlice o su tamao. Si quieres un reactor ms silencioso sustituye el mezclador por una bomba elctrica que coja el lquido de abajo y lo lleve hasta la superficie. La bomba no debe estar muy abajo para que no se estropee luego con la glicerina. Vierte el metxido en el aceite mientras se bate, y sigue agitando la mezcla durante 50 60 minutos. La reaccin suele completarse en media hora, pero es mejor batir durante ms tiempo. Durante la transesterificacin los cidos grasos se separan de la glicerina, y el metanol se une a ellos formando metilsteres (biodisel). El hidrxido de sodio estabiliza la glicerina.
6. Reposo y separacin
Deja que la mezcla repose y se enfre por lo menos durante ocho horas, preferiblemente ms. La glicerina forma una masa gelatinosa en el fondo y los metilsteres (biodisel) flotan encima. La bomba mezcladora debe estar por encima del nivel de la glicerina para que no se estropee. Otra alternativa consite en dejar que la mezcla repose al menos durante una hora despus de la reaccin, manteniendo la temperatura por encima de 38 C (100 F). De esta forma la glicerina se mantiene semilquida (solidifica por debajo de 38 C) y se hunde antes. Despus hay que decantar el biodisel con cuidado.
Se pueden separar sacndolos por un agujero del fondo atravs de un tubo transparente. La glicerina semilquida es de color marrn oscuro; el biodisel es del color de la miel. Mira el tubo todo el tiempo, y cuando empiece a salir biodisel cambia la salida del tubo de un recipiente a otro. Si cae algo de biodisel en el recipiente de la glicerina es fcil recuperarlo cuando la glicerina se espesa. Si la glicerina solidifica antes separarla del biodisel, puedes calentar para volver a licuarla, Pero no la agites! La Figura 4 es un ejemplo de un sistema para separar dos lquidos de distinta densidad. Puede servir como filtro o para separar el jabn, la glicerina y el biodisel.
Figura 4 Figura 5
La Figura 5 representa un reactor (#1) donde se calientan y se mezclan el aceite y el metxido. Se calienta con un mechero de propano (#2). El modelo de la Figura 6 ahorra electricidad. Se calienta con una caldera cerrada cuya chimenea atraviesa el reactor. Dentro de la mezcla se forman corrientes de conveccin, que causan el mismo efecto que el de la bomba elctrica que se explic ms arriba. Los tubos exteriores enfran el lquido, que se hunde; los gases calientes de la caldera
pasan por la chimenea central y calientan el lquido, que asciende. En la Figura 5 tambin se ve una batidora (#3) para el metxido. Para pruebas de 16 litros (5 galones) mezclo el metxido con una batidora de cristal barata (No vuelvas a usarla para cocinar!), pero lo divido en tres partes porque no cabe todo a la vez en la batidora.
Figura 6
Glicerina
La glicerina procedente del aceite usado en la cocina es marrn y permanece slida por debajo de 38 C (100 F). La glicerina del aceite nuevo suele mantenerse lquida a temperaturas menores de 38 C. La glicerina se puede compostar despus de un perodo de ventilacin de tres semanas. En ese tiempo se evapora el metanol, que es malo para el compostaje. Se puede evaporar el metanol de otra manera, calentando hasta 66 C (150 F). El metanol se evapora a 64,7 C(148,5 F). El metanol evaporado con el segundo mtodo, calentando, se puede reutilizar haciendo que pase atravs de un condensador. Lo que queda despus de la transesterificacin no es slo glicerina, sino una mezcla de glicerina pura, metanol y cera. Estas tres sustancias pueden separarse por destilacin, pero es difcil porque para evaporar la glicerina hace falta mucho calor. La glicerina pura tiene muchas aplicaciones: medicamentos, tintes, cremas... Consulta glicerina. Gracias a IMEX(Industrial Materials Exchange), en Seattle, encontr a alguien que puede aprovechar mi glicerina para arreglos de flores secas. IMEX tiene una publicacin mensual con listas de ofertas y demandas de excedentes industriales. Existen intercambios similares en otras partes. http://www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/imex/ La glicerina procedente de la transesterificacin es un estupendo desengrasante industrial. Una manera de purificarla es calentarla hasta 65,5 C (150 F) para que se
evapore el metanol, hacindola segura para el contacto con la piel. Mucho cuidado con el vapor de metanol. Cuando se enfra, las impurezas se hunden hasta el fondo y queda de un color marrn oscuro ms uniforme. Aaciendo agua queda del color de la canela, ms diluda, y es ms fcil limpiarla de las manos. Otra forma de aprovechar la glicerina es transformarla en gas metano en un digestor de metano, o mejor an, mediante pirlisis. La pirlisis se emple mucho durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial para que los coches funcionaran con lea. El reactor calienta la materia prima (madera o glicerina) en un recipiente hermtico sin oxgeno. En estas condiciones la materia prima no arde, sino que desprende metano. El metano se almacena en una bolsa hinchable o comprimido en un depsito.
Restos de jabn
En el biodisel tambin hay jabn. Cuando el metanol se une a los cidos grasos se forma agua. El aceite tambin puede contener agua. El jabn se forma porque el ion Na+ del hidrxido de sodio (NaOH) reacciona con los cidos grasos en presencia de agua. Si hay un exceso de agua en la mezcla durante la reaccin, se forman ms jabones de lo normal. El aceite que ha sido cocinado puede contener agua y hay que quitrsela. El segundo paso, "Quitar el agua", explica cmo hacerlo. Es muy importante evitar la presencia de agua durante la preparacin del metxido. Todos los objetos que entren en contacto con la leja deben estar totalmente secos. El biodisel sale mucho mejor en das secos que en das hmedos.
7. lavado y secado
Hay ms de una opinin sobre lo que se debe hacer con el biodisel antes de usarlo como combustible. Una de esas opiniones es que hay que dejarlo reposar durante una semana, ms o menos, para que los residuos de jabn se hundan hasta el fondo. Despus ya se puede usar. Nota: Esto est desaconsejado, es mejor lavarlo con agua. Otro mtodo consiste en separar los jabones del combustible
lavndolo con agua una o varias veces. En el primer lavado es mejor aadir un poco de vinagre (cido actico) al agua. Con el cido actico se consigue que el pH del biodisel sea casi neutro, porque se une a los restos de leja y los neutraliza. La figura 7 muestra un mtodo sencillo usando un recipiente de PVC translcido con una vlvula cerca del fondo. Si no encuentras un contenedor transparente pueces fabricarlo con un tubo (#6). Pon primero agua, sin que llegue hasta la altura de la vlvula, y luego el biodisel. Despus de agitar con cuidado deja que repose entre 12 y 24 horas. El biodisel limpio queda encima del agua y se puede sacar por la vlvula. El agua con los jabones disueltos se saca por el fondo (#5). Puede que haya que repetir este proceso dos o tres veces para retirar todo el jabn. El segundo lavado y el tercero pueden hacerse slo con agua. Despus del tercer lavado, el agua que quede puede separarse calentando lentamente (Figura 8). El agua y otras impurezas se hundirn hasta el fondo. El producto final deber tener pH 7.
Figura 8 Figura 7
El agua del tercer lavado puede usarse para el primer o segudo lavado del siguiente lote. Las impurezas se separarn cuando se caliente el siguiente lote. El jabn puede aprovecharse concentrndolo, el resto del biodisel puede separarse por decantacin, y lo que queda es un jabn biodegradable que tiene muchas aplicaciones industriales. He tenido cierto xito concentrando y separando del jabn el sodio hidratado. lo hago poniendo el jabn sobre un pao para que el agua se filtre y el sodio quede en el pao. Creo que si se prensa se va la mayor parte del agua y el sodio desecado vuelve a formar hidrxido de sodio, pero esto no lo he probado. El biodisel tiene un aspecto ms limpio y cristalino despus de lavarlo.
Tambin he probado a enfriar el biodisel para que los restos de jabn y de leja sedimenten ms deprisa. Con este mtodo el biodisel queda bastante limpio en poco tiempo.
lavado con burbujas

Algunas personas estn consiguiendo buenos resultados con la tcnica del lavado con burbujas. Se tarda ms, pero tambin se ahorra agua. Dicen que es muy efectivo, que queda un producto limpio y brillante. NOTA: el lavado con burbujas no es el mejor mtodo. La explicacin de este mtodo de lavado se mantiene para respetar el texto original. En la pgina dedicada al lavado se explican otros mtodos. Las burbujas se forman haciendo pasar aire comprimido a travs de un difusor. En una instalacin pequea se puede usar un aireador de acuario, los hay de muchos tamaos. Aade 50 litros de agua y 30 ml de vinagre (cido actico) por cada 100 litros de biodisel y pon en el fondo el difusor de burbujas. El agua queda en el fondo y el biodisel flota encima. Las burbujas suben atravesando el biodisel, envueltas por una capa de agua que lo lava al atravesarlo. En la superficie la burbuja se rompe, y se forma una pequea gota de agua que se hunde, atravesando el combustible por segunda vez, y vuelve a lavarlo. Si el biodisel sigue turbio despus de un par de horas, pon un poco ms de vinagre. El lavado tarda entre 12 y 24 horas, a veces ms. Cuando est terminado drena el agua y quita los residuos que floten en la superficie. Repite el lavado dos veces ms. Puedes usar el agua del segundo lavado y del tercero para el primer lavado del siguiente lote. Si se forma mucho jabn, calienta hasta 50 C(122 F), pon suficiente vinagre para que el pH sea neutro, agita durante media hora, deja que enfre, y continua con el lavado. Consulta tambin Lavado.
8. Calidad
La calidad del producto acabado puede comprobarse visualmente y midiendo su pH. El pH puede medirse con papel tornasol o con un medidor electrnico. Debe ser neutro (pH 7). Debe tener el aspecto del aceite vegetal, pero con un matiz marrn, parecido a la sidra. Es malo que haya una pelcula sobre la superficie, partculas o turbiedad. La pelcula superficial puede ser de restos de jabn, y se quita lavandolo de nuevo o pasandolo por un filtro de cinco micrones (o ms fino). La turbiedad puede ser agua y se quita calentando. Las partculas pueden ser cualquier cosa y aparecen cuando los filtros fallan. Todos los aceites parecen cristalinos cuando estn calientes, pero los que son realmente cristalinos siguen siendolo cuando se enfran. Si el biodisel fro no est cristalino, deja que repose una o dos semanas ms para que las impurezas se hundan. Es importante saber que el biodisel limpia muy bien los restos de disel mineral del interior del motor. Por eso debes comprobar y cambiar los filtros del combustible cuando empieces a usar biodisel. Yo prefiero poner un filtro de plstico transparente, pequeo y barato, justo antes del filtro original. El nuevo filtro limpia en parte el combustible antes de que llegue al filtro original, que es ms caro. As es ms fcil ver cundo pasa combustible y en qu condiciones se encuentra el filtro.
Limitaciones
El biodisel tiene algunas limitaciones. La primera es que da problemas al arrancar el motor cuando hace fro. Dependiendo del tipo de aceite del que proceda el biodisel, puede empezar a solidificarse a 4 5 C(40 F). Consulta "Talking about the weather". Una solucin es mezclarlo con diesel fsil, o instalar un calentador de combustible elctrico (por ejemplo de Racor or de Diesel-Therm). Los garajes con calefaccin tambin ayudan. Hay gente que dice que los anticongelantes comerciales funcionan bien, pero otra gente dice que son imprevisibles. (Ten en cuenta que los anticongelantes son muy txicos). Otra solucin para las regiones fras es el mtodo de dos etapas recomendado por Aleks Kac. El combustible funciona mejor cuando hace fro si se produce de esa manera.
Retarda el tiempo de inyeccin 2 3 grados para compensar el mayor nmero de cetanos del biodisel. El motor pierde parte de la potencia adicional que le da el biodisel, pero hace menos ruido y el combustible arde a menor temperatura, reduciendo las emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno. Consulta Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno. Con el tiempo el biodisel corroe las piezas de caucho del sistema de distribucin de combustible. Los motores ms modernos no tienen piezas de caucho, pero en muchos motores antiguos tambin se ha usado biodisel sin que se hayan estropeado. El Vitn es el mejor material, pero hay otros materiales que tambin sirven. Comprueba esta tabla: "Durability of Various Plastics: Alcohols vs. Gasoline". Consulta tambin El biodisel y tu vehculo. A todos los interesados en el biodisel y otras fuentes renobables de energa les recomiendo que lean las dems secciones de Journey to Forever. El proyecto de Journey to Forever es muy interesante, todo el mundo debera conocerlo. Gracias a Keith y Midori de Journey to Forever, los creadores del vdeo The Fat of The Land, a Tom Reed por la ayuda que amablemente me ofreci cuando estaba empezando, a Aleks Kac, Terry de Winne ("Terry UK"), Dave Elliott ("Dave UK"), Bill Battagin, Martin Steele, Peter Pessiki, del Evergreen State College (TESC) de Olympia, Washington, y a todas las personas que me han ayudado. Para cualquier pregunta o comentario sobre este proceso escribe a Renewablenergies@yahoo.com. Cuando tengas un sistema terminado y funcionando manda fotografas y explicaciones a info@journeytoforever.org para compartir con todos lo que has aprendido. 2000-2003 Mike Pelly
La empresa de Mike se llama Olympia Green Fuels. Est en Olympia, Washington: http://www.olympiagreenfuels.com/
Biocombustibles
Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodisel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodisel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodisel Biodisel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodisel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los disel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodisel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
El copyright de toda la informacin original de este sitio web es propiedad de Keith Addison, a no ser que se indique, y solamente puede ser copiada y distribuida con fines educativos no comerciales, si se indica la fuente y se incluye una referencia a la direccin web de Journey to Forever (http://
journeytoforever.org/). Toda la informacin se suministra sin garantas de ninguna clase, ni implcitas ni explcitas.
Mtodo base-base: Journey to Forever
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Proceso en dos etapas basado en el mtodo de Mike Pelly

Por Aleks Kac
Buscar
Nota: Muchos productores caseros usan este mtodo y consiguen un producto de muy buena calidad. Aleks ha mejorado el proceso. Consulta el Mtodo cido-base. Los procesos de dos etapas son complicados, no para principiantes. Empieza aprendiendo lo ms bsico, debes empezar por el mtodo sencillo de una etapa. Empieza aqu.

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Introduccin
Desde hace tiempo mucha gente produce biodisel apartir de aceite de cocina usado. En internet hay muchos artculos magnficos que pueden ensearte cmo empezar. Aqu propongo un mtodo alternativo, que puede producir un biodisel un poco ms puro. Funciona bien en invierno, ya que se forma menos cera y da menos problemas al arrancar, o eso espero. Supongo que todos conocereis ya el mtodo de Mike Pelly (si todava no lo has ledo, deberas hacerlo pronto). Ese artculo da una buena explicacin de las reacciones qumicas relacionadas con el proceso, y es una buena manera de empezar las primeras pruebas. El mtodo de Mike es un buen punto de partida para los principiantes, y produce un combustible que es adecuado para la mayora de los climas (y para la mayora de los conductores). Pero yo no estaba satisfecho con el resultado. Te explicar por qu: soy qumico profesional e hice algunos clculos antes de empezar. Faltaba parte de la glicerina, no mucha, pero me pareca una chapuza. Prob, pes, med, le artculos, hice ms pruebas y compr un coche diesel para comprobar el resultado. Como ninguno de los miembros de nuestro grupo de discusin se quejaba
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English version
Biocombustibles
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Biodiesel en Honk Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre
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http://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_aleks.html (1 de 8)04/12/2006 11:30:35 a.m.
biodiesel en internet (ingl)

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Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo
de la prdida de glicerina pens que mis clculos deban ser errneos; llen el depsito de mi jeep de segunda mano y fu a dar una vuelta. El motor funcionaba bien y decic continuar mi produccin de biodisel. Pero el motor sonaba raro en las maanas fras y volv a investigar. Despus de un tiempo contact con Camillo Holecek, quien me dio buenos consejos.
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Teora
Si recuerdas tus clases de qumica, en muchas reacciones qumicas hay algo que se llama equilibrio. Algunas reacciones ocurren solo en un sentido, pero otras son reversibles. Observa esta reaccin: A+B > C+D A+B < C+D Es una reaccin reversible. La transesterificacin tambin lo es. Cuando los reactivos y los productos alcanzan el equilibrio, la reaccin para. Eso no es bueno porque parte del aceite queda sin reaccionar. Cuando eso ocurre el resultado es una mezcla de aceite y biodisel. No se pueden separar porque el biodisel es un buen disolvente para el aceite. Un motor diesel normal no funciona bien con aceite vegetal, por eso hay que evitar que la reaccin quede incompleta.
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La adaptacin
Supn que A y B son los reactivos (aceite y metanol) y que C y D son los productos (biodisel y glicerina). Para desplazar la reaccin hacia el lado de los productos, es decir, para convertir todo el aceite en biodisel, hay dos soluciones: 1. Aadir ms metanol 2. Sacar la glicerina del reactor Aadir metanol no sirve de mucho porque para conseguir una pequea mejora hace falta ms del doble de lo normal. Tanto metanol sera carsimo. Separando la glicerina s se consiguen buenos resultados. Se consigue un tercio ms de biodisel. Pero separarla durante la reaccin es difcil y hace falta una centrifugadora, que es cara. Casi haba abandonado la idea cuando Camillo me propuso una solucin muy sencilla: dividir la reaccin en dos etapas.
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Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
El proceso
Este es un resumen del proceso de Mike Pelly:
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Organic gardening Medir el pH Calentar el aceite

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Compost
La rueda de la vida
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Small farms
The way forward
Preparar el metxido Mezclar el aceite con el metxido Extraer la glicerina Lavar y secar
Biocombustibles
Solar box cookers

Slo hay dos diferencias entre el proceso de Mike y el proceso de dos etapas: en el segundo no hay que medir el pH, y hay dos mezclas de metxido. Por qu no hace falta medir el pH? Cualquier analista qumico te dir que para conseguir resultados exactos los productos deben estar en buen estado y hay que hacer cada medida al menos tres veces. Por eso calcul empricamente una cantidad de leja (NaOH) que ha dado buenos resultados en todas mis pruebas: 6,25 gr de leja por cada litro de aceite. Para la segunda etapa no hace falta ningn equipamiento nuevo, slo ms tiempo. ADVERTENCIA: Ponte guantes resistentes a los productos qumicos, un delantal grueso y gafas protectoras. No respires los gases. El metanol puede causar ceguera y la muerte, y no hace falta beberlo porque es absorbido atravs de la piel. El hidrxido de sodio puede causar quemaduras graves y la muerte. Juntos forman metxido de sodio, que es extremadamente castico. Son productos peligrosos, tratalos con mucho cuidado! Siempre tiene que haber cerca agua corriente. El lugar de trabajo debe estar muy bien ventilado. No puede haber cerca nios ni animales. Para ms informacin consulta Seguridad.
Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Primera etapa
1. Mide la cantidad de aceite que vas a procesar y ponlo dentro del reactor. 2. Prepara el metxido de la siguiente manera: mide una cantidad de metanol puro equivalente al 25% del volumen de aceite, y mzclalo con (6,25 gr/litro de aceite) de leja (NaOH). 3. Calienta el aceite hasta 48-52 C (118-126 F). 4. Pon con el aceite 3/4 del metxido. Guarda el resto en un recipiente hermtico lejos de nios y de llamas o chispas... O tambin puedes preparar dos lotes de metxido: mide las cantidades de los productos y luego divide cada una de esas cantidades en 3/4 y 1/4. 5. Mezcla entre 50 y 60 minutos manteniendo la temperatura inicial. 6. Deja que la mezcla repose durante doce horas. 7. Separa la glicerina del biodisel. Te dars cuenta de que hay mucha menos glicerina de lo normal.
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Segunda etapa
8. Vuelve a poner enl reactor el biodisel de la primera etapa.
The Beach House fish pond HOMeR
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Eco-footprint
9. Calintalo hasta 48-52 C (118-126 F). 10. Aade el resto del metxido (recuerda que guardaste 1/4). 11. Mezcla entre 50 y 60 minutos manteniendo la temperatura inicial. 12. Deja que repose doce horas. 13. Separa la glicerina del biodisel. Ahora la glicerina es una masa gelatinosa. Sobre la capa de glicerina habr una fina capa de cera de color cremoso, que NO DEBE mezclarse con el biodisel. Recuerda, la cera es una de las substancias que pueden atascar los inyectores. 14. Lava y seca el biodisel. Yo prefiero el mtodo de lavado con burbujas, pero puedes hacerlo como quieras.
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Mtodo de Lavado Con Burbujas de la Universidad de Idaho

Quiero explicar el mtodo en este artculo porque el lavado del combustible es crucial. Por favor, no intentes usar en tu coche el combustible producido segn las instrucciones de este artculo sin haberlo lavado adecuadamente (el combustible, no el coche). Este combustible es muy castico al final de la segunda etapa y podra daar la bomba de inyeccin. Esto es lo que necesitas: un gran recipiente de plstico (con el doble de volumen que el reactor), una bomba de aire para acuario, barata, pero con suficiente flujo de aire, un difusor de acuario grande (piedra difusora) y un tubo de goma para unir la bomba con la piedra. Yo tengo un medidor de pH electrnico, pero tambin sirve el papel indicador de pH (con una resolucin de 1/2 unidad de pH). El medidor electrnico es la opcin ms barata (15 US$) si piensas hacer ms de veinte lotes.
Explicacin sobre el pH
El pH no tiene una unidad real, ya que su frmula es "pH= log (concentracin de iones H+)". Es un nmero que no depende del volumen. Los qumicos necesitan expresar de alguna manera la concentracin de iones H+ en un volumen desconocido de un lquido. Despus de la segunda etapa el pH del biodisel debe ser 7, que es el valor de referencia de la escala de pH (es como el cero en otras escalas). El rango de esta escala es de 0 a 14: de 0 a 7 es cido, por encima de 7 es alcalino, y 7 es neutro. Por ejemplo, si mezclas 10 litros de un lquido con pH 9 (dos unidades por encima de 7) con 10 litros de un lquido con pH 5 (dos unidades por debajo de 7), el resultado es un lquido con pH 7 aproximadamente, es decir, neutro. Este es el truco que usaremos luego en el labado.
El lavado
Primero mide el pH de tu biodisel y anota el resultado. Luego mide el volumen de biodisel que vas a lavar y pon un volumen equivalente de agua en el recipiente donde vayas a hacer el lavado. El agua y el biodisel deben estar aproximadamente a la misma temperatura (a temperatura ambiente). Limpia y seca el electrodo del medidor de pH, sumrgelo en el agua y hecha vinagre concentrado hasta que el pH alcance tantas unidades POR DEBAJO de 7 como tenga el pH medido antes POR ENCIMA de 7. Mezcla con una cuchara de madera mientras aades pequeas cantidades de vinagre. Por ejemplo: si el pH del biodisel es de 8,7 (7 + 1,7) tienes que conseguir que el pH del agua sea de 5,3 (7 - 1,7). Ahora pon el biodisel en el recipiente donde est el agua, deja en el fondo la piedra difusora y pon en marcha la bomba de aire. Pronto aparecen columnas de burbujas que atraviesan el biodisel elevando cada burbuja una gotita de agua hasta la superficie. Cuando llegan arriba las burbujas estallan, y las gotitas de agua vuelven al fondo arrastrando el jabn y el metanol. el vinagre neutraliza la leja. El burbujeo debe durar seis horas como mnimo. Despus hacen falta otras doce horas de reposo. El agua queda en el fondo, totalmente blanca, y el biodisel flota encima con un color mucho ms claro que el que tena antes. Saca el agua, con cuidado de que salga toda. Puedes usar un tubo transparente o una llave cerca del fondo, pero en los dos casos debes dejar que salga tambin un poco de biodisel al final para asegurarte de que sacas TODA el agua. Calienta el biodisel hasta 100 C (212 F) y mantn la temperatura hasta que dejen de formarse burbujas de vapor. El pH del producto final ser de 7 +/- 0,25, que es el adecuado. Deja que se enfre y fltralo. Ahora ya est terminado y puedes usarlo. Consulta: Lavado con burbujas
Conclusin
He probado el biodisel fabricado con este mtodo en mi Jeep Cherokee. Funciona mejor que el biodisel "clsico", y mejor que el diesel mineral (el motor ronronea felizmente). Ahora que se acerca el invierno, pondr un pequeo calentador junto al filtro para evitar sorpresas desagradables. Mientras termino este artculo fuera hace fro y llueve un poco. Me he servido un dedo de whisky escoces y lo bebo a pequeos sorbos. Mi gato ronronea en mi regazo mientras yo pienso en la prxima primavera; me gustara viajar. Puede que algn da nos reunamos todos, puede que cerca de un campo de girasoles florecientes. Os deseo a todos que tengis xito con vuestra produccin de biodisel.
Aleks Kac Ljubljana Slovenija Quiero dar las gracias a: Mike Pelly Camillo Holecek Steve Spence Keith Addison y Joshua Tickell Todos ellos son muy amables.
Aclaracin
He recibido quejas del proceso, parece ser que se forma "gelatina". Quita toda el agua! Cuanto ms castico sea el metxido (cuanta ms leja haya) ms jabn se formar, si hay agua, por poca que sea. Esto es lo que ocurre: la cantidad de leja no tiene que ser obligatoriamente 6,25 gr por litro de aceite. Tendrs problemas si el aceite contiene de agua. Para que te sea ms fcil al principio, prueba con 6,00 gr/litro y aumenta esa cantidad gradualmente, o caliente el aceite para secarlo antes de empezar. Cuanta ms leja haya, ms rpida y limpia ser la separacin. Aleks Kac 2000
COMENTARIO En uno de los primeros mensajes que Aleks Kac envi a la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles deca que estaba haciendo pequeas pruebas de biodisel y que el resultado era bueno con aceite que no ha sido cocinado, pero "con el aceite usado el biodisel huele a vmito ... tiene un olor muy desagradable. Cmo puedo evitarlo?" Aleks se convirti pronto en uno de los principales expertos en biocombustibles (ten en cuenta que es qumico profesional). Cinco meses despus de enviarnos aquel mensaje haba desarrollado el proceso en dos etapas que aqu se describe. Felicidades Aleks! -- Keith Addison
Mike Pelly Steve Spence http://www.green-trust.org/ Joshua Tickell: VeggieVan http://www.veggievan.org/

Camillo Holecek de ENERGEA -- Email: camillo.holecek@donauwind.at http://www.energea.at/en_info.html
Biocombustibles en Journey to Forever

Biocombustibles Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodisel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodisel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodisel biodisel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodisel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodisel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
El copyright de toda la informacin original de este sitio web es propiedad de Keith Addison, a no ser que se indique, y solamente puede ser copiada y distribuida con fines educativos no comerciales, si se indica la fuente y se incluye una referencia a la direccin web de Journey to Forever (http://journeytoforever.org/). Toda la
informacin se suministra sin garantas de ninguna clase, ni implcitas ni explcitas.
Mtodo cido-base: Journey to Forever
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Mtodo cido-base para producir biodisel

por Aleks Kac
Este mtodo ha sido utilizado para producir muchos miles de litros de biodisel de gran calidad a partir de todo tipo de aceites. Muchos productores caseros lo han adoptado como su mtodo habitual.

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Buscar
Conversin de los cidos grasos libres en steres

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English version
Biocombustibles
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NOTA: Los procesos en dos En dos anlisis etapas son complicados, no profesionales, hace dos para principiantes. Primero aos, el biodisel casero aprende lo ms bsico. Debes producido con este comenzar por el mtodo de una mtodo obtuvo la etapa. Empieza aqu. conformidad con el estndar alemn DIN 51606. Eso quiere decir que utilizar este Con este mtodo no hace falta combustible no anula la ningn instrumento especial. Un garanta de reparacin termmetro resulta til, pero no es que da la marca VW imprescindible medir el pH, con todos sus vehculos aunque s recomendable. Al producidos a partir de principio es bueno medirlo para 1996. Siguiendo las asegurar un buen resultado, pero instrucciones al pie de la con suficiente experiencia puede letra se puede producir conseguirse un buen resultado sin combustible que cumpla medir el pH. con las normas DIN y ASTM. Consulta Es un proceso de dos etapas, la National standards for primera cida y la segunda biodiesel alcalina. Se basa en la gran concentracin de cidos grasos libres (AGL) de los aceites de cocina usados, pero se puede usar con cualquier aceite o grasa, ya sea de origen animal o vegetal, aunque no contenga muchos AGL. Este proceso mejora enormemente el rendimiento de la reaccin.
Introduccin
http://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_aleksnueva.html (1 de 12)04/12/2006 11:30:43 a.m.

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Para producir biodisel de forma eficiente a partir de aceites usados hay que evitar un gran problema: la formacin de jabn. El jabn se forma durante la transesterificacin alcalina catalizada (la reaccin que forma el biodisel) cuando los iones de sodio se combinan con los cidos grasos libres. El jabn perjudica el rendimiento del proceso porque une a los metilsteres con el agua formando emulsin. Esos steres unidos al jabn se pierden en la fase de lavado; es ms difcil separar el biodisel del agua y se gasta ms agua. El proceso aqu explicado centra la atencin sobre los cidos grasos libres. En una de las primeras pruebas mezcl a medias aceite de cocina muy usado con manteca de cerdo. El resultado fue un producto puro que no tena ni rastro de jabn. El biodisel tena buen aspecto y ola bien, como si lo hubiera hecho a partir de aceite nuevo. Es un procedimiento sencillo. La primera etapa no es la transesterificacin, sino la esterificacin. El siguiente paso despus de la esterificacin es la transesterificacin, pero en condiciones cidas es mucho ms lenta que en condiciones alcalinas y no se completa porque depende mucho ms del equilibrio. La cantidad de metanol necesaria para que se completara la reaccin encarecera mucho el precio del combustible, por eso es necesaria la etapa alcalina.
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En la primera etapa se forma un compuesto a partir de un cido y de un alcohol. El alcohol, como en otros procesos, es metanol, pero en vez de leja (hidrxido de sodio) el catalizador es cido sulfrico ("cido de batera"). El cido debe tener una pureza del 95% (el de las bateras es de 50%). El cido sulfrico es uno de los productos qumicos ms
Aleks (al fondo) con su amigo Matevz, haciendo biodisel en el cuarto de estar de Matevz.
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Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
comunes de la tierra, como la leja. El cido sulfrico concentrado (a partir de 98%) es ms caro; una pureza del 95% es suficiente si sigues bien las instrucciones. No puedes utilizar ningn otro cido, tiene que ser sulfrico. En la segunda etapa hace falta leja, como de costumbre, pero slo la mitad que en otros procesos. El in sulfato procedente del cido sulfrico se combina con el in sodio procedente de la leja en la segunda etapa para formar sulfato de sodio, que es una sal soluble en agua que se separa del biodisel durante el lavado. En el biodisel no queda nada de azufre.
Organic gardening
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Compost
La rueda de la vida
Small farms
The way forward
Materiales
Para este mtodo no hace falta un reactor especial. Es mejor que el recipiente se pueda tapar y que tenga un desage en el fondo. Los recipientes altos y estrechos son mejores que los anchos de poca profundidad. Mejor mezclar con una bomba que con un agitador mecnico. La bomba debe tomar lquido del fondo y verterlo en la superficie. Para un reactor de 35 litros se pueden usar una bomba de lavadora de 100 W y un calentador de inmersin de lavadora de 1,5 kW para calentar la mezcla (el calentador debe estar recubierto de acero inoxidable). Puedes comprar un termostato para controlar la temperatura, pero son caros; mide la temperatura con un termmetro y conecta el calentador cuando sea necesario. Con el tiempo el cido corroe el hierro y el acero comn. A pesar de ello puedes utilizar un bidn tpico de 200 litros (55 galones). La concentracin del cido en este proceso es muy pequea. El bidn debera aguantar un ao o ms antes de que el deterioro sea preocupante. Yo tengo un bidn de polipropileno. Sirve cualquier plstico que no se deforme a 100 C (212 F) de temperatura. Tambin sirve el acero inoxidable. En los recipientes de plstico hay que usar calentadores de inmersin. Los de de acero pueden ponerse sobre una llama de propano para calentar el aceite, pero hay que cambiar la llama por un calentador de inmersin antes de aadir el metanol.
Biocombustibles
Solar box cookers
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Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers Backpack stove
Lotes de prueba
Para ensayar un nuevo mtodo siempre es buena idea hacer pequeos lotes de prueba de un litro o menos para familiarizarte con el proceso antes de arriesgarte con

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PicoTurbine Low-tech radio
cantidades mayores. Para estas pruebas suelen emplearse recipientes de cocina, pero no los uses para la comida nunca ms!
El proceso
1. Filtra el aceite.
ADVERTENCIA
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Fotografas
Aleks hizo dos pequeos lotes
El cido sulfrico es PELIGROSO. Toma todas las precauciones, 2. Si el aceite contiene agua la ponte gafas protectoras, reaccin no se desarrolla guantes y un delantal. correctamente. Hay dos formas de Ten cerca agua separar el agua: corriente. Y no respires los vapores! (a) Dejar que el agua se deposite en el fondo: Este mtodo ahorra energa. Calienta el aceite hasta 60 Si se te acaba el cido sulfrico NUNCA lo C (140 F), mantn la temperatura sustituyas por cido durante 15 minutos y deja que ntrico. Podra formarse repose por lo menos 24 horas. No utilices ms del 90% del contenido una pequea cantidad de nitroglicerina; incluso del recipiente porque el 10% que una cantidad muy queda en el fondo es agua. pequea puede causar accidentes terribles. (b) Evaporar el agua: Este mtodo Consulta High no es recomendable porque hace falta ms energa y se forman ms Explosives cidos grasos libres. Calienta el El metanol puede aceite hasta 100 C (212 F). El producir ceguera y la calor hace que el agua se hunda muerte; es absorbido hasta el fondo. Drena el agua del atravs de la piel. El fondo para evitar las burbujas de hidrxido de sodio vapor, que luego estallan y puede producir salpican. Mantn la temperatura quemaduras graves y la hasta que dejen de formarse muerte. Juntos forman burbujas. metxido de sodio, que es extremadamente Primera etapa corrosivo. Son productos peligrosos. 3. Mide el volumen de aceite y Trtalos con cuidado! grasas que vas a procesar Ten siempre cerca agua (preferiblemente en litros). corriente cuando los manipules. El lugar de 4. Calienta el aceite hasta 35 C trabajo debe estar bien (95 F); asegurate de que las grasas ventilado. Asegrate de slidas se funden y se mezclan con que no haya cerca nios el aceite.
en jarras de cristal para tomar estas fotografas, uno con grasas y aceites muy usados, y otro con grasa pura.
ni mascotas. Ponte gafas 5. Metanol: Solo sirve si tiene una protectoras, guantes y pureza del 99% o ms. La cantidad un delantal. No respires debe ser de 0,08 litros de metanol lo gases. Consulta por cada litro de aceite/grasas (8% Seguridad Para obtener en volumen). Pon el metanol con el ms informacin. aceite caliente. 6. Bate durante cinco minutos. La mezcla se volver turbia porque el metanol es una substancia polar y el aceite es apolar. Se forma una emulsin.
1. 30% grasa y 70% aceite. Se ven los grumos semislidos.
7. Por cada litro de aceite aade 1 ml de cido sulfrico (H2SO4) con una concentracin del 95%. Puedes usar un cuentagotas graduado, una jeringa graduada o una pipeta. TEN CUIDADO cuando manipules cido sulfrico! 8. Mezcla despacio y con cuidado, sin salpicar y manteniendo la temperatura a 35 C. La velocidad del agitador no debe sobrepasar las 500 600 rpm. La velocidad exacta no importa, lo importante es que no salpique.
2. Mezcla fundida despus de calentarla.
9. Mantn la temperatura a 35 C durante una hora y luego deja de calentar, pero no de agitar. 10. Contina agitando durante otra hora (dos horas en total, durante la primera hora se calienta y se agita, durante la segunda slo se agita). Deja que repose toda la noche(mnimo ocho horas). 11. Mientras tanto prepara el metxido de sodio: mide 0,12 litros de metanol por cada litro de aceite/ grasas (12% en volumen) y 3,1 gramos de NaOH por cada litro de aceite/grasas (3,5 gramos si dudas de la pureza del NaOH). Echa el NAOH en el metanol y revuelve hasta que se disuelva completamente.
Metxido, el mtodo sencillo
3. Suspensin formada despus de aadir el metanol. La mezcla queda turbia.
4. Final de la etapa cida. La mezcla se vuelve ms oscura.
La mezcla de la leja con el metanol produce una reaccin exotrmica, que desprende calor. Es peligroso y difcil de mezclar, y la mezcla tiene que completarse El metxido de sodio es totalmente antes de PELIGROSO. Toma todas las poder usarla; toda la precauciones cuando manipules leja tiene que estar metanol, leja o metxido de sodio. disuelta. Esta es una Ponte gafas protectoras, guantes y manera sencilla y segura ropa gruesa que te cubra todo el de hacerlo. El problema cuerpo. Ten cerca agua corriente.
5. Grasa pura semislida.
NOTA: Este proceso necesita slo la mitad de la cantidad normal de leja porque hay menos grasas que transesterificar. Debes usar NaOH con una pureza del 99% o ms. Despus de abrir el bote de la leja cirralo lo antes posible para que no absorba humedad. mide la cantidad con cuidado; un exceso de leja complicar el proceso de lavado.
es que hay que hacerlo con mucho tiempo de adelanto, pero es fcil calcular los tiempos. TOMA TODAS LAS PRECAUCIONES cuando manipules metanol, leja o metxido de sodio!
6. Cambio despus de aadir el metanol: la mezcla se vuelve turbia.
7. Glicerina de la primera etapa.
8. Segunda etapa: biodisel terminado.
Utiliza un recipiente resistente y denso, hecho de HDPE 12. Despus de ocho horas de (polietileno de gran reposo, o la maana siguiente, densidad), normalmente vierte la mitad del metxido en la marcado en el fondo con mezcla y agita durante cinco la marca internacional minutos. Esto neutraliza el cido "2" dentro de un sulfrico y ayuda a que se tringulo. Debe tener produzca la catlisis alcalina. Si una tapa que se ajuste a has utilizado grasa slida, probablemente se haya solidificado presin y otra tapa que se enrrosque encima. durante el reposo; primero tendrs Pon dentro el metanol y que derretirla un poco. aade despus la leja. Ahora puedes continuar con el Si ests usando proceso normal en la segunda cantidades grandes es etapa. mejor que no eches toda la leja de una vez, sino poco a poco, agitando el Segunda etapa recipiente cada vez que aadas leja (primero Esta es la etapa alcalina. cierralo bien). Despus de echarla toda vuelve a 13. Calienta la mezcla hasta 55 C tapar y agita durante y mantn esta temperatura hasta el unos segundos. Hazlo final. unas cuantas veces ms, cada pocas horas (al 14. Aade el resto del metxido de menos entre cuatro y sodio y agita despacio como antes, seis veces en total). Se no ms de 500 600 rpm. disolver totalmente en 24 horas, o un poco ms. TEN CUIDADO cuando manipules metxido de sodio, En la produccin de toma todas las precauciones! biodisel la proporcin leja/metanol es 15. Opcional: Si tu reactor lo pequea, permite, empieza a sacar la
glicerina del fondo 20 25 minutos despus del comienzo de la etapa alcalina. Si es necesario deja de batir durante unos minutos para que la glicerina se hunda. drnala cada diez minutos. Ten cuidado, est bastante caliente y es corrosiva. mira tambin el paso 18. 9. Glicerina de la segunda etapa.
particularmente con el mtodo infalible. Si por algn motivo tuvieras que usar una proporcin de leja mucho mayor, no mezcles el metxido de esta manera.
16. En todos los casos: Toma muestras cada cierto tiempo en un recipiente de cristal de 1" 1,5" de dimetro. El color de la muestra debe ser amarillo pajizo, que es el color del biodisel. La glicerina (marrn y viscosa) se hundir hasta el fondo del recipiente. Cuando tenga ese color (suele tardar entre 1,5 y 2,5 horas) deja de calentar y de batir. Para ver el color, en vez de tomar muestras puedes poner un tubo transparente en la salida de la bomba. 17. Deja que repose durante una hora. 18. Opcional: para que el lavado sea ms fcil saca la glicerina, mide el 25% del total de glicerina (el total incluye la que sacaste antes si seguiste el paso 15) y mezcla ese 25% con 10 ml de cido fosfrico al 10% (H3PO4) por cada litro de aceite procesado. La mezcla puede hacerse con una cuchara de madera en un recipiente de plstico. Echa la glicerina acidificada en el reactor y remueve durante veinte minutos, sin calentar. Deja que sedimente al menos seis horas y luego saca toda la glicerina. TERMINADO. En la etapa cida los cidos grasos libres son esterificados y algunos triglicridos son transesterificados. En la etapa alcalina slo hay transesterificacin, pero es mucho ms rpida y completa.
Lavado
19. El lavado con burbujas que se describe aqu ya no se considera un buen mtodo de lavado, es mejor el lavado por agitacin. Consulta: Lavado. Con el proceso cido-base no es necesario controlar el pH durante el lavado (no es imprescindible, pero s recomendable). Pon un poco de cido fosfrico al 10% (H3PO4) en el agua (10 ml por galn), solo para asegurarte de que no queda leja. Si quieres asegurarte de que el producto final tiene un pH adecuado mdelo con papel tornasol. El pH del biodisel debe
ser neutro (pH7), o casi neutro. 20. El volumen de agua debe ser 1/3 del volumen de biodisel que va a ser lavado. El agua y el biodisel deben estar a la misma temperatura, a temperatura ambiente. Ponlos en un recipiente con un aireador de acuario y un difusor de burbujas. El burbujeo debe mantenerse como mnimo durante 24 horas, y luego media hora ms de reposo (sin burbujas) para que el agua se hunda hasta el fondo. El agua queda blanca y el combustible con un color ms claro que antes. Drena el agua y repite el lavado otras dos veces. Cuando termines de lavarlo cmbialo a otro recipiente cuidando de que toda el agua quede en el primer recipiente. Consulta: Lavado. 21. No se puede usar hasta que est totalmente cristalino, despus de tres semanas de reposo. Coge una muestra en un tarro de mermelada y ponlo en la ventana para ver cmo se clarifica con el paso de los das. Puede usarse antes si se calienta hasta 45 C (113 F); cuando se enfra las impurezas se hunden hasta el fondo. NOTA: Durante el reposo se forma un sedimento en el fondo Que no entre en el depsito del coche!
Preguntas sobre la etapa cida

Puede que te hayas hecho la siguiente pregunta: por qu no mezclar el metanol con el cido sulfrico concentrado antes de echarlos en el aceite? Hay dos motivos: (a) La reaccin entre el metanol y el H2SO4 concentrado es violenta y podra salpicarte; eso no ocurrrir si los mezclas como se describe aqu. (b) Podra formarse dimetil ter. Mezclar alcoholes con H2SO4 concentrado es una manera de secar los alcoholes, eso es bueno, y tambin es una manera de formar dialcohol teres, y eso no es bueno. El dimetil ter es un gas incoloro y muy explosivo.
Preguntas sobre la etapa alcalina

El producto de la segunda etapa es bastante oscuro, pero no importa porque despus se lava. Despus de que la mezcla se vuelva de color amarillo pajizo (paso 16), deja que repose durante una hora y separa la glicerina. La cantidad total debe ser aproximadamente de 120 ml de glicerina por cada litro de aceite/grasas. Si esa cantidad
es menor de 100 ml por litro de aceite es porque algo ha salido mal, aunque el color sea correcto. La reaccin no se ha completado. La causa es casi siempre que la leja est carbonatada. La leja dura muy poco si no se almacena correctamente: el CO2 del aire la neutraliza formando carbonato de sodio. La leja carbonatada es mucho ms blanca que la leja pura, que es casi transparente. El carbonato no perjudica la reaccin, pero hay que aumentar la cantidad de leja. La solucin: Repetir el procedimiento a partir del paso 13. Prepara un nuevo lote de metxido con 0,03 litros de metanol y 0,75 gramos de leja por cada litro de aceite/grasas. Vuelve a calentar el biodisel a 55 C , aade el nuevo metxido y mezcla como hiciste antes. Esta vez no es necesario separar la glicerina durante el proceso (paso 15), y no te preocupes por el color. Mezcla durante una hora, deja que repose, extrae la glicerina y contina con el paso 18. Para seguir usando la leja carbonatada tienes que poner un 25% ms que la cantidad normal. Conservala a temperatura ambiente, en un lugar seco, si es posible. El recipiente debe estar cerrado hermticamente.
Recuperacin de metanol (opcional)

Para ahorrar se puede reciclar el metanol que queda sin reaccionar. Tambin los principiantes pueden intentarlo. Hay dos formas de hacerlo: extraccin por calentamiento y extraccin por aspiracin y calentamiento. Extraccin por calentamiento Despus de la segunda etapa calienta la mezcla hasta 70 C en un recipiente cerrado y haz que el vapor de metanol pase por un condensador. Ten muchsimo cuidado porque el metanol se inflama con mucha facilidad y su vapor es explosivo. Debes aumentar la temperatura segn disminuye la cantidad de metanol en la mezcla. Extraccin por aspiracin y calentamiento Es parecida a la extraccin por calentamiento, pero necesita menos energa. El inconveniente es que hacen falta un recipiente y un equipamiento especiales. Un buen ejemplo es el reactor de Dale Scroggins: http://home.swbell.net/scrof/Biod_Proc.html
Cuando construyas tu reactor es mejor que no lo hagas todo a la vez. Construye el reactor y aprende bien cmo se realiza el proceso. Despus podrs mejorarlo para reutilizar el metanol. Se puede reutilizar por lo menos la cuarta parte del metanol; por ejemplo, 50 ml (o ms) por cada litro de aceite/grasas. Mzclalo con metanol nuevo para preparar el siguiente lote de metxido.
Calidad
Los motores diesel necesitan combustible de buena calidad. No puedes llenar el depsito con biodisel de mala calidad y esperar que el motor siga funcionando sin problemas. Tienes tres enemigos muy peligrosos: la glicerina, los aceites y grasas parcialmente convertidos (monoglicridos y diglicridos) y la leja. La glicerina, los monoglicridos, y los diglicridos forman una pasta pegajosa en los inyectores y en las vlvulas, y la leja puede daar la bomba de inyeccin. La clave para conseguir un buen combustible es hacerlo todo bien desde el principio hasta el final. Utiliza productos puros (H2SO4, NaOH, metanol), mdelos con precisin, y sigue las instrucciones meticulosamente. As evitars las conversiones parciales. Un buen lavado se lleva toda la glicerina y neutraliza los restos de leja. Tambin hay kits para realizar controles de calidad. Uno de los visitantes de nuestra web me cont que en la industria del motor hay un test para detectar la presencia de glicol en el aceite de motor. Tambin debera funcionar con la glicerina. "Para detectar glicerina te aconsejo los kits de deteccin de glicol de etileno en el aceite de motor. Es un test sencillo que se vuelve morado en presencia de glicerol. El Glicol y el glicerol dan el mismo resultado en este test." (Gracias a Martin Reaney) El papel para cromatografa y para cromatografa en capa fina sirven para averiguar la razn de conversin, y la valoracin detecta restos de leja. Consulta El biodisel y tu vehculo . Aleks Kac Ljubljana Slovenija
Copyright Aleksander Kac, 2001. Patente en trmite. Este proceso tiene propietario. Esta informacin solamente puede ser copiada y distribuda con fines educativos no comerciales, si se indica la fuente y se incluye una referencia a esta direccin web: http://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_aleksnueva.html Cualquiera puede utilizar este proceso para producir combustible para uso propio o con fines no comerciales o educativos. Para la aplicacin comercial de este proceso hay que pedir una licencia a los propietarios de la patente.

Biocombustibles Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) biodisel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodisel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodisel biodisel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodisel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodisel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
Reactores para biodiesel: Journey to Forever
Reactores para biodiesel

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Riesgos mini-reactor para pruebas Reactor sencillo para 20 litros Reactor de 90 litros de Journey to Forever (ingl) The 'Deepthort 100B' Batch Reactor (ingl) Ian's vacuum biodiesel processor (ingl) Chuck Ranum's biodiesel processor (ingl) Micro-Production System for Biodiesel (ingl) 833 Gallon Per Day Batch Plant (ingl) Reactor sencillo Pelly "Model A" processor (ingl) Reactores para el mtodo cido-base Reactor sin contacto Reactores continuos Cmo construir un reactor de fondo cnico Biodiesel technology (ingl) No recomendamos la compra de los reactores de plstico con fondo cnico que se venden por internet. Son caros, la mayora de ellos no funciona bien, algunos se incendian fcilmente, la mayora no tiene un aislamiento adecuado, y no soportan la presin interna que puede aparecer durante la reaccin. Algunos de esos vendedores acaban mintiendo en las instrucciones de montaje para ahorrarse dinero. Dicen, por ejemplo, que no hace falta labar el biodiesel, en vez de proporcionar un depsito independiente para el lavado (usar el mismo depsito para la reaccin y para el lavado no es recomendable). Algunos ni si quiera tienen un sistema de calentamiento adecuado! En muchos casos se paga un montn de dinero por un reactor que no produce combustible de buena calidad. T mismo puedes construir un reactor mejor por mucho menos dinero. No es difcil, aqu tenemos planos, diseos e ideas para ayudarte. Tambin puedes recibir buenos consejos de expertos en la Lista de correo de los Biocombustibles.
English version
Biocombustibles
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Riesgos
Los principales peligros de la produccin de biodiesel son los gases venenosos (e inflamables), los productos qumicos y los incendios. Lo mejor para que no te intoxiques con los gases es que no te expongas a ellos, no utilices reactores abiertos. Los reactores de biodiesel deben estar cerrados hermticamente para
Biodiesel en Honk Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de
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nitrgeno (ingl)
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aislarlos de la atmsfera y que no escapen los gases. Consulta Seguridad. Aqu hablaremos de los incendios. Hay muchos; un productor perdi en un accidente su cobertizo y todo su equipo, y se quem levemente. Pero no te asustes, es fcil evitarlos. Lo ms importante es que el reactor est cerrado para que no escapen los gases, y mejor an si soporta algo de presin interna. Este es un buen consejo de Todd Swearingen, de Appal Energy: El mayor riesgo de fuego es un reactor abierto en un cuarto mal ventilado. Hay muchas maneras de que los gases que salen del reactor se inflamen:
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Quemar un combustible para calentar directamente la vasija de reaccin (propano, metano, alcohol, madera, etc), en vez de usar un intercambiador de calor con la llama alejada del rea de proceso. Usar motores elctricos normales (que no estn aislados de la atmsfera). Pueden sustituirse por motores encapsulados o por motores de explosin interna. Desconectar un aparato elctrico tirando del enchufe de la pared, en vez de usar interruptores encapsulados. Cualquier llama.
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Otras causas de fuego pueden ser motores y bombas con sobrecarga de trabajo junto a materias inflamables, automticos y fusibles que dejan pasar ms corriente de la debida, cables que no tienen suficiente dimetro para la corriente que tienen que soportar. Y siempre hay riesgo de combustin expontnea en presencia de trapos grasientos, especialmente cuando estn impregnados de aceites secantes como linaza o camo. El riesgo es menor cuanto mayor sea la saturacin del aceite. (Consulta ndices de yodo)
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Reactor sencillo
3.500 litros de combustible al ao son ms que suficientes para la mayora de la gente. Son algo ms de setenta por semana. Los productores caseros dicen que su biodiesel cuesta 60 cntimos de dolar(US), o menos, cada galn (cuatro litros). El ahorro del primer ao es al menos de mil dlares. Este dato se refiere a EE. UU., pero el ahorro puede ser mayor en otros pases. Sin embargo
Rural development
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no hace falta que gastes mucho en un reactor. Uno sencillo es todo lo que necesitas. "El ms sencillo y barato para lotes de 50-70 litros puede estar formado por dos bidones de acero, uno para tratar el aceite y otro para la vasija de reaccin, que debe tener drenaje para la glicerina, con motores y tubos para trasvasar y agitar. El metxido se mezcla bien en un recipiente de HDPE de veinte litros (consulta Metxido, el mtodo sencillo). Para el lavado sirve un recipiente de 200 litros. "Puedes calentar con un calentador de inmersin en el fondo del reactor o bombear agua del depsito de agua caliente de la casa en un circuito cerrado. Puedes utilizar una bomba como esta que vende Surplus Center: http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID= 2003050414093431&catname=water&qty=1&item=2-1225 Puedes tener una sola bomba para todo, la glicerina, el agua y el biodiesel. "Un sistema como este puede ser barato y funcionar durante aos sin dar problemas." -- Todd Swearingen, Appal Energy
Organic gardening
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Compost
La rueda de la vida
Small farms
The way forward
Biocombustibles
Solar box cookers

Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
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Project vehicles
The workhorses
Reactores para el mtodo cido-base
Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers Backpack stove PicoTurbine Low-tech radio What to do with a
cardboard carton
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Sisters of silk Silkworms in a shoebox School gardens School composting Trees and forests
Aleks Kac (izquierda) y su amigo Matevz con el precioso reactor de acero inoxidable de Matevz, construido para el mtodo cido-base.
Esquema de un reactor grande para el mtodo cidobase

Aplicable para casi todos los tamaos Por Aleks Kac Pincha las fotografas para verlas ms grandes
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School and youth programs on the Web Education resources on the Web Children's poetry Contacta con nosotros Fase 1 -- primera sedimentacin
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Reactor sin contacto

El reactor de Dale Scroggins es "un reactor de 100 litros hecho con materiales reciclados que, pulsando unos interruptores, lo mezcla todo, recupera el metanol sobrante, laba y seca el biodiesel. Primero meto el
aceite en el reactor atravs de un filtro, luego preparo el metxido por separado, con una taladradora unida a un mezclador de pintura. Hecho el metxido al reactor y pongo en marcha la bomba. El lquido pasa por unos tubos transparentes. Cuando termina de mezclarse paro la bomba, vigilo la separacin de la glicerina, pongo en marcha la bomba de vaco (que est unida a un condensador, que est unido a un depsito) y se separa el exceso de metanol. Cuando no queda metanol abro el reactor y dreno la glicerina. Luego pongo agua y comienza el lavado." (De un mensaje de la Lista de correo de los Biocombustibles, 11 de enero de 2001) En la pgina de Dale hay una descripcin completa, dibujos y fotografas: http://home.swbell.net/scrof/Biod_Proc.html
Construye tu propio reactor continuo La Mezcla por Flujo Oscilatorio (Oscillatory Flow Mixing - OFM) Es un mtodo muy efectivo para mezclar lquidos en reactores tubulares, particularmente en reactores continuos. Cmo funciona, investigacin, Tecnologa, Publicaciones, y ms, con diagramas y fotografas: http://www.cheng.cam.ac.uk/groups/ polymer/OFM_page.html Siguiente

Biocombustibles Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodiesel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodiesel
Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodiesel Biodiesel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodiesel en internet (ingl) Tiene futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
El Copyright de todos los materiales originales de este sitio web es propiedad de Keith Addison, a no ser que se indique, y solamente pueden ser copiados y distribuidos con fines educativos no comerciales, si se indica la fuente y se incluye una referencia a la direccin web de Journey to Forever (http:// journeyroforever.org/). Toda la informacin se suministra sin garantas de ninguna clase, ni implcitas ni explcitas. Traducido del ingls por Andrs Pinto Negreira.
Biodiesel in Hong Kong: Journey to Forever
Biodiesel news articles published in Hong Kong (Click on the image to read the full text.)
Biodiesel in Hong Kong

One of our aims in making biodiesel was to propose a solution that could help improve Hong Kong's galloping air-pollution problem. Hong Kong is choking on air-pollution. It drives people away, it drives business away, and it drives tourists away. It costs the city billions of dollars. The Government says it kills about 2,000 people a year. And it's getting worse all the time. "Government studies confirm that the annual health costs associated with air pollution are equivalent to some half a percent of Hong Kong's GDP, that is, $5.5 billion at 1996 figures." -- Legislator Christine Loh, Citizens Party, RTHK, 2 May 1999 "A container truck driver died from carbon monoxide poisoning after being stuck in a traffic jam, a coroner concluded yesterday." -- South China Morning Post, April 1999 "Air pollution will worsen before it starts to improve, Environmental Protection Department director Robert Law warned yesterday." -- South China Morning Post, 25 March 1999 On "bad" days (not that there are "good" days) the government warns the old and the ill to stay indoors. It's a complex issue, and there are constant furious debates about it. About the only thing everyone agrees on is that the main culprit is the exhaust smoke from diesel engines. But all plans to scrap the diesels have so far been scuttled by the transport lobby. Hong Kong's transport industry, like transport industries everywhere, uses diesel engines, because they're cheap, tough, efficient, economical and reliable -- diesels last 10 times longer than petrol engines. Most people travel by diesel every day, virtually all goods are moved by diesels. Scrapping diesels would raise the costs of everything, making everyone's life tougher.
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"'You can replace diesel taxis and minibuses but the remaining diesel problem has to do with vehicles that drive our economy,' an official said." -- Hong Kong Standard, 4 October 1999 There are about 135,000 of these "economic" diesels, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the total road distance travelled in Hong Kong. Biodiesel could help provide an immediate solution. "Why not just improve the existing diesel fuel and reduce its particulates?" -- Legislator Selina Chow, February 2 1996 "The Transport Department and the Environmental Protection Department should be working together to pilot new fuels and technologies that may be economically viable now or in a few years' time" -- Legislator Christine Loh, September 24 1998 So, when we brewed up some biodiesel out of waste cooking oil, the press got interested.
Biodiesel in the news

"Environmentally clean fuel from used French fry oil," said the News Focus headline in Ming Pao Daily on 30 April 1999. "Who would have thought that you could turn McDonald's French-fry used cooking oil into environment-friendly diesel fuel in your kitchen and run your car on it?" the paper asked, describing how we'd done it and why.
Keith Addison with Handmade biodiesel.
But it also reported that the Environmental Protection Department had said biodiesel "could increase emissions of Nitrogen Oxides" (NOx) and had therefore rejected it for Hong Kong. We said they were wrong, and quoted published research that showed NOx levels could be reduced below ordinary diesel levels simply by adjusting the engine timing.
And environmentalist legislator Christine Loh, who has strong views on air-pollution, attacked the EPD, calling them "shortsighted" and "unfair". Not wanting to get involved in a political row, we backed off, and in some confusion. "The EPD recently toughened emissions controls to bring Hong Kong into line with European and US standards." -South China Morning Post, 29 January 1999 "Like most European countries, we will be adopting the more stringent Euro III emission standard as from 2001." -1999 Policy Address, Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), 6 October 1999 But both Europe and the US use millions of gallons of biodiesel every year. Both are expanding their diesel fleets in a bid to cut greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the Kyoto Protocol. "So important is biodiesel as a low-cost, immediate solution to diesel emission problems that the US Congress has passed biodiesel legislation to foster public acceptance and industry use of this new alternative vehicle fuel." -- US biodiesel producer Southern States Power, news release, 30 March 1999 Yet Hong Kong bans it, on the grounds of NOx emissions, though dozens of scientific studies by major instititions show that NOx emissions with biodiesel are easily reduced to well below conventional diesel levels, without sacrificing the considerable reductions in particulate matter (PM) emissions with biodiesel, which are a far worse pollutant anyway. "We've done all the things on vehicle pollution and control of dust emissions that they've done in Europe. We have the toughest standards in Asia. But while Europe has seen dramatic improvements, we haven't." -- Tse Chin-wan, Assistant Director, EPD, Postmagazine, 24 January 1999 Maybe we're not alone in our confusion.
Progress?
A couple of weeks later the Ming Pao reporter called us to say the EPD spokesman had told him they'd decided to reverse their decision to reject biodiesel as a way to fight air-pollution, because we'd shown that it could be made by recycling a waste product (used cooking oil), giving it a dual purpose. The EPD still had reservations about the level of nitrogen oxide emissions with biodiesel, the spokesman said, but the department now had an open mind on biodiesel and would make further investigations. Christine Loh later confirmed to us that the EPD had changed their stance. "They just needed to get prodded on the NOx bit," she said. Good enough. We knew other people were working on making biodiesel available in Hong Kong, we'd brought the issue to the public eye and helped open the door, so we left them to it and got on with other work.
Good news -- and bad

"KMB tests biodiesel -- made from BBQ pork fat, it can decrease black smoke by 7%," read a Ming Pao headline on 27 June. Most of the big papers carried the story. In cooperation with a group called Better Environment Hong Kong (BEHK), KMB (Kowloon Motor Bus), Hong Kong's biggest franchised bus company, much criticized for belching black smoke, had tested weak blends of 10 to 15% biodiesel with ordinary diesel fuel in a bench-mounted Cummins LT10 diesel engine from one of its buses, and called the press to witness it.
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KMB engineering manager Shum Yuet-hung at the biodiesel press conference.
Good news! But what was all this stuff they were saying about nitrogen oxide emissions? En espaol Biocombustibles, biodiesel BEHK member Dr Dennis Leung Yiu-cheong, an associate professor at the University of Hong Kong Department of Mechanical Engineering, said: "For the tests we conducted on biodiesel, we used waste animal fats from restaurants as they release less nitrogen dioxide than vegetable fats" (Hong Kong Standard).
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Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Heaters, burners, stoves
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He also said animal-fat biodiesel decreases pollutant particles compared with biodiesel made from vegetable oil (Sing Tao), and that "in Europe and the US, where the temperature is moderate, mostly vegetable oil is used for biodiesel. He said because Hong Kong's weather is warmer, animal fat, which doen't contain sulphur, does not solidify, so it can be used to make more environmentally friendly biodiesel" (Apple Daily). So now we have "environmentally friendly biodiesel" from animal fats and, what, environmentally unfriendly biodiesel from vegetable oil, depending on the weather? Who are these guys? (They're a group of local academics and others, apparently supported by Mobil Oil.) And Ming Pao reported: "The EPD has reserved judgment because biodiesel could increase Nitrogen Oxides in the exhaust compared with ordinary diesel." Whatever happened to their change of mind? The Hong Kong Economic Times did a follow-up story the following week: "An EPD spokesman said: 'Using biodiesel as a fuel for vehicles could increase Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions in exhaust gas. NOx is already high in Hong Kong's Air Pollution Index, so using biodiesel will not improve Hong Kong's air pollution problem.'" The story also reported BEHK chairman Steve Choi Sau-yim saying: "The key is in the materials used. If animal fats are used to make biodiesel, it can cut NOx in the exhaust to about 5 to 10% less than petro diesel, while plant oil biodiesel increases it by 15%. If you choose the material (the origin of the cooking oil) carefully, it's not difficult to solve the NOx problem."
Non-issues
This might fit in nicely with the EPD's singular view of biodiesel, but it's wrong, and ruling out used vegetable oil as a source material is not helpful. Some studies have indeed shown lower NOx emissions with animal-fat biodiesel than with virgin vegetable oils, because fats have different combustion characteristics. But recycled oils and palm oils have similar profiles to fats --

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Wood gas -- producer gas
there's no difference between NOx emissions from animal-fat biodiesel and biodiesel made from used vegetable cooking oils or from palm oil. Anyway, whatever it's made of, NOx emissions with biodiesel are a non-issue: "Biodiesel NOx emissions can be effectively managed and efficiently eliminated as a concern of the fuel's use," says the US National Biodiesel Board, along with everybody else except Hong Kong's EPD.
Action
The whole promising biodiesel initiative in Hong Kong was being derailed, for no good reason we could see. So we wrote a letter to the Editor of the South China Morning Post. It was published as the main letter on 20 July ("Don't allow biodiesel opportunity to slip away"), and it sparked a chain of responses, first in support, and then another main letter, a schoolmarmish rebuttal by W.C. Mok of the EPD ("Interested in biodiesel as renewable energy"), baffling in its opacity and denial, totally rejecting biodiesel in favour of the EPD's plans to convert Hong Kong's 18,000 diesel taxis to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). There are serious objections to the LPG plan and severe obstacles to its being implemented, and even if it is implemented the effect is expected to be minimal: "Perhaps you think that the API (Air Pollution Index) readings are going to zoom dramatically downwards if LPG is introduced. They will not," said the South China Morning Post (24 January 1999). "That could turn out to be a major public relations disaster."
Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
Solar box cookers


Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Reaction
We received several emails from parties interested in biodiesel, furious at Mr Mok's response: "It is very disappointing to read today in the South China Morning Post the answer to your article from Mr. Mok..." "Mr. Mok should know that there are dozens if not hundreds of cities that use biodiesel just for the air quality in their city..."
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way
Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers Backpack stove PicoTurbine Low-tech radio What to do with a cardboard carton Sisters of silk Silkworms in a shoebox School gardens School composting Trees and forests The Beach House fish pond HOMeR Eco-footprint School and youth programs on the Web Education resources on the Web Children's poetry Contact us
"There is 20 years' experience of biodiesel..." We posted Mr. Mok's letter on the Internet bulletin board run by the US National Biodiesel Board, without comment. This drew some interesting responses: "I read this letter and can't help feeling that Mok is the public relations/damage control for the oil companies..." (Message) "I am surprised to find someone like Mr. Mok who still can maintain his biased position for LPG. Not too many people talk about LPG as an alternative green fuel any more..." "President Clinton just passed an 'Executive Order' on August 12 to 'promote Biodiesel use to meet environmental challenges'. This is news for Mr. Mok..." Two weeks later the South China Morning Post published yet another main letter on biodiesel, from engineer and entrepreneur Paul Tarrant, who demolished Mr Mok's arguments with great authority ("Government's LPG policy offers no solutions" ).
Good enough to drink

But Mr. Mok was unfazed. On 28 September the South China Morning Post carried a front-page story of another biodiesel test, featuring a minibus in a 10- ...and he drank it! kilometre on-road test of sunflower oil biodiesel from Germany, conducted by Sunland. It took Sunland 18 months and "many letters" to get permission for the test. Such caution -- when more than 60% of the diesel fuel used in Hong Kong is smuggled in from China and sold at half-price or less, poor-quality, dirty stuff containing 10 times as much sulphur as legal diesel fuel. The story quoted Mr. Mok denigrating biodiesel in favour of LPG: "Bio-diesel increased nitrogen dioxide emissions, Mr Mok said." This didn't bother the minibus driver. The original Ming Pao story on biodiesel showed Keith holding up two glasses of biodiesel; Apple Daily followed suit, showing KMB's engineering manager holding up two glasses of biodiesel. Now driver Choi Hang-wan also had a glass of biodiesel -- and he
drank it! "It tastes fine," he said.
The road ahead

In his 1999 Policy Address in October, Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, outlined his plan to clean up Hong Kong's filthy air. It included LPG for taxis and minibuses, particulate traps, catalytic converters, $1.4 billion in grants for the conversions, phase-outs of old diesels, tougher standards, tougher action against smoky vehicles, tougher action on smuggled diesel fuel, pedestrianization schemes, electric vehicles, more use of rail services. It didn't include anything that could bring an immediate improvement, such as biodiesel.
"WHILE Hong Kong fiddles, biodiesel will burn in the vehicle of two intrepid explorers from Lantau Island on their way overland to South Africa. Keith Addison and Midori Hiraga will brew the stuff as they travel on a 2-year expedition through China and Africa studying and reporting on environmental conditions. By the time they get there, perhaps Hong Kong will have made up its mind on biodiesel." -- Lisa Hopkinson, October 31, 1999, Clear the Air (Hong Kong) http://www3.cleartheair.org.hk/biodiesel.htm
LPG health risks

"LPG 'could be worse for health than diesel'." -- South China Morning Post, 23 August, 2000. The article said: "Switching vehicles from diesel to liquefied petroleum gas might pose health risks, research carried out at America's Harvard University suggests." The study, by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis (HCRA) at Harvard School of Public Health, found, among other things,
that natural gas (LPG) reduces emissions of fine particulates, those smaller than 2.5 microns, but may generate more ultrafine particles than diesel, of less than 0.1 micron. "Several studies indicate that ultrafine particles may have an even more dramatic impact on health than those in the fine category." It also found that LPG would increase greenhouse gas emissions, of C02, and of methane, which "is approximately 20 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2". "European regulators seem to be favoring diesel fuel as part of their effort to comply with the Kyoto agreements to stabilize CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions," the report said. "They are using tax incentives and emissions standards to encourage the use of new cleaner-burning diesel fuels. European vehicle manufacturers appear to be increasing their application of 'green' diesel technology that captures significant amounts of particulates." Harvard press release: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/press/releases/press1102000.html Complete copy of the report (PDF, 205 KB): http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/Organizations/hcra/diesel/diesel. pdf
Biodiesel in Taiwan
With the support of the US National Biodiesel Board, the Taiwan chapter of the American Soybean Association (ASA) has completed the dossiers for registration of soy-based biodiesel on the clean fuel list. Road tests will start in September. A local bus fleet that will provide six buses for the road tests. Each bus will run on its regular route for two and a half months to generate data. If soy-based biodiesel is approved, ASA will work with the government of Taiwan to develop mandates and incentive programs to encourage the use of soybased biodiesel.
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library
Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
NOx emissions and biodiesel: Journey to Forever
NOx and biodiesel

Nitrogen oxide emissions with biodiesel, taken from various scientific and industry studies.
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1. "Adjustment of injection timing and engine operating temperature will result in these levels [of nitrogen Biodiesel smells oxides with biodiesel] being reduced yummy! below mineral diesel levels." -- Dr Kerr Walker, Scottish Agricultural College, 1994, in "Biodiesel from Rapeseed", Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, Volume 155, p. 43-4. 2. "Nitrous Oxides (NOx) are reported by several researchers to be increased with Biodiesel. However, our own data shows a reduction in nitrous oxides, very consistently, throughout all these [dynamometer] tests. NOx started at 6.2 gm/mile for diesel and goes down to around 5.6 gm/mile with 100% ester (Biodiesel), with slightly more reduction with REE (rapeseed ethyl ester) than RME (rapeseed methyl ester)... Emissions results for 100 percent ester compared with diesel control fuel show a 53% reduction in HC (Hydrocarbons), a 50% reduction in CO (Carbon monoxide), 10% reduction in NOx and 13.6% increase in PM (particulate matter)." -- "Toxicology, Biodegradability and Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel", Charles L. Peterson and Daryl Reece, Professor and Engineering Technician, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Idaho, 1994 3. "Fueling with biodiesel/diesel fuel blends reduced particulate matter (PM), total hydrocarbons (THC), and carbon monoxide (CO), while increasing oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Retarded fuel injection timing reduced NOx emissions while maintaining the other emissions reductions." -- "6V-92TA DDC Engine Exhaust Emission Tests using Methyl Ester [Biodiesel]", L. G. Schumacher (Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Missouri), D. Fosseen, W. Goetz, S. C. Borgelt, W. G. Hires (1995) in Bioresource Technology, 1995 4. "As the concentration of biodiesel increased, the oxides of nitrogen [NOx] emissions increased. The B20A20 fuel blend effectively reduced the oxides of nitrogen emissions below that of baseline diesel fuel. Retarding the timing was an effective way of reducing NOx emissions when fueling with the biodiesel blends.
Biofuels
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_nox.html (1 de 5)04/12/2006 11:31:02 a.m.
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Oxides of nitrogen emissions ... can be successfully reduced below that of baseline diesel fuel by either retarding injection timing or replacing 20 percent of the baseline diesel fuel of the B20 blend with heavy alkylate." -- "Engine Exhaust Emissions Evaluation of a Cummins L10E When Fueled with a Biodiesel Blend", William Marshall, Leon G. Schumacher, Steve Howell (1995), Society of Automotive Engineers, SAE Paper # 952363 [B20 = a blend of 20% biodiesel with 80% conventional low sulfur petroleum diesel fuel B20A20 = a blend of 20% biodiesel and 20% heavy alkylate with 60% conventional low-sulfur petroleum diesel fuel] 5. "Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions from biodiesel increase or decrease depending on the engine family and testing procedures. NOx emissions (a contributing factor in the localized formation of smog and ozone) from pure (100%) biodiesel increased in this test by 13 percent. However, biodiesel's lack of sulfur allows the use of NOx control technologies that cannot be used with conventional diesel. So, biodiesel NOx emissions can be effectively managed and efficiently eliminated as a concern of the fuel's use." -- US National Biodiesel Board, Biodiesel Report, April 1998, "Biodiesel First Alternative Fuel to Meet EPA Health Effects Requirement -- Positive environmental and health effects results for Biodiesel" [Sulphur poisons catalytic converters. Sulphur content of lowsulphur conventional diesel fuel: 0.05 percentage weight. Sulphur content of methyl ester biodiesel: less than 0.001 percentage weight.] 6. "There are reliable, proven methods for baselining or even reducing Nitrous Oxides (NOx) produced when using biodiesel. I have certified emissions for the urban bus retrofit program with EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) using this technology. This package included use of an oxidation catalyst to maximize Particulate Matter (PM) reductions (taking advantage of the high soluble organic fraction of biodiesel) and a timing change to give up some PM reductions while reducing NOx to baseline or even past baseline -- the best case was a 28% NOx reduction with a 25% PM reduction." -- (From a personal communication, Ming Tseng, Aiko Associates LLC, USA, biodiesel suppliers) See also: Bibliography of Water-Fuel Emulsions Studies -- A list of studies that are being considered for inclusion in work being done by EPA to assess the effects of water-fuel emulsions on emissions

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Rural development
City farms
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Composting
The Wheel of Life
of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM) (including 23 studies of diesel water-fuel emulsions). Acrobat file, 12kb. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/analysis/emulsion/emulbibl.pdf Emulsions of Hydrated Ethanol in Hydrocarbon Fuels, by Apace Research Ltd -- Executive Summary of report for Australia's for the Energy Research and Development Corporation (ERDC) -- reports on hydrated ethanol/diesel fuel emulsion, or "diesohol", and hydrated ethanol/petrol emulsion. http://www.eidn.com.au/energyerdcemulsions.htm
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
Solar box cookers


Biofuels
Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
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Project vehicles
The workhorses
Copyright of all original material on this website is the property of Keith Addison, unless otherwise stated, and may be copied and distributed for non-commercial education purposes only as
long as the source of the material is stated and a reference to the Journey to Forever website URL is included (http://journeytoforever.org/). All material is provided as is without guarantees or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Glycerine: Journey to Forever
Glycerine
General Burning glycerine Glycerine and biogas Separating glycerine Purifying glycerine Soap Glop soap Paintbrush cleaner High-explosives Heart disease drug Love potion Safe sweetener Health supplement Preserving plants Photocopying Other uses Composting
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The only real "cake" of soap we've ever seen -solidified glycerine from the bottom of our first-ever biodiesel.
General
Biofuels
Glycerine (glycerin, glycerol) is the main by-product of making biodiesel. The name comes from the Greek word glykys meaning sweet. It is a colourless, odourless, viscous, nontoxic liquid with a very sweet taste and has literally thousands of uses. That is, pure glycerine has thousands of uses -- the biodiesel by-product is crude (and it's not colourless, and it's not only glycerine). There is a market for the glycerine once you've separated it from the soaps and the lye that's also in the by-product (see Separating glycerine, below) and probably refined it too, neither of which is cheap, and then only if you can supply it by the tonne on a regular basis, unless you're lucky enough to find a small niche market. But there are other things you can do with it other than sell it, read on. Lots of information on glycerine, from a Japanese manufacturer (in English) -- Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.: http://www.sy-kogyo.co.jp/english/sei/1_gly.html
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_glycerin.html (1 de 20)04/12/2006 11:31:12 a.m.
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Glycerin -- King's American Dispensatory, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898 http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ msg13553.html
Burning glycerine
The glycerine by-product burns well, but unless it's properly combusted at high temperatures it will release toxic acrolein fumes, which mainly form at between 200 and 300 deg C (392-572 deg F). We've used it to heat a woodfired bath (see next, Sawdust "logs") and to pre-heat the vegetable oil for biodiesel processing (below, Burners).
Three milk-carton glycerinesawdust "logs" are enough to heat our bath.

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Sawdust "logs"
We thought of mixing the byproduct with sawdust to make briquettes, and in a message to the Biofuel mailing list Tony Clark suggested using milk cartons instead of making briquettes, which need to be pressed: "By mixing this with sawdust to make a dry paste, and filling used milk cartons with this mixture, the use of timber for fuel can be significantly reduced. A 1litre milk carton (about 1 quart US) of this mixture will give off more heat than twice or three times that weight in firewood." We used wood shavings, not sawdust. A 1-litre milk carton holds 450 gm of wood-shavings and 750 gm of glycerine by-
Filling a milk carton with wood shavings...
Rural development
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Edible cities
Organic gardening
... adding the by-product, then tamp it down hard with a piece of 2x2 -- the soiled
Composting
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The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
newspaper makes a good product. Used for heating the fire-starter. traditional Japanese iron-cauldron bath at our previous house, three milk cartons burned for about 45 minutes and heated 80 litres of water from room temperature to 60 deg C (140 deg F). In sub-zero C winter weather it took five cartons instead of three. We started the fire with wood to get the burning chamber to a high temperature before adding the milk-carton "logs". We heated the bath this way for more than a year.
Solar box cookers

Burners
Using the by-product in a burner to pre-heat the vegetable oil for biodiesel processing would be an elegant solution, if it worked well enough. It's an elusive goal. Prof. Michael Allen thinks complete and clean combustion of the by-product requires a burning temperature in excess of 1,000 deg C (1,800 deg F) "and you will probably need a mean residence time in the Hot Box of about 5 seconds". And perhaps pre-heating and atomisation as well. With the sort of low-tech burners backyard brewers have made so far, what happens instead is that the burner might burn for long enough to pre-heat the oil, but then it gets gunged up with sticky black stuff that won't burn (mostly soap) and it goes out. If you want more heat you have to clean it out and start it up again. Another disadvantage is that it's not a clean burn, it smokes, especially towards the end of the burn when it's trying to combust the soap. We've used a Turk burner for pre-heating. It works, but we prefer using our kerosene pressure stove, which burns pure biodiesel. We don't believe any Turk-type burner will overcome these combustion problems, we haven't heard of anyone successfully using a Babington-type burner with biodiesel by-product either. We've found that Mother Earth News waste oil heaters also won't burn the by-product for long before coking up. We'd hoped a modified version using a forced air-supply, which burns much hotter, would solve the problem, but it didn't.

Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Instead we developed a cheap and simple bioheating oil to use with heaters and burners. See Journey to Forever's forced-air biofuel heater. We're adapting this method for pre-heating WVO for biodiesel processing, etc. Both the bioheating oil and biodiesel work well in Turk burners, and so does the separated FFA from the by-product (see next, Separating the glycerine). More interesting than trying to burn the glycerine by-product efficiently is the prospect of using it as part-feedstock for a methane digester to produce biogas, a clean-burning and efficient cooking gas which can be used for heating in the biodiesel process. See next, Glycerine and biogas.
Glycerine and biogas

A visitor to our website told us this: "I work at a wastewater treatment plant and I was doing a search on glycerin and biofuels and came across your website. It has good information, thanks. "Here's another use of glycerin: Our treatment is accepting the glycerin from a biofuel producer, we feed it to our digesters, slowly very slowly. The addition of glycerin has dramatically increased our gas production, so that we run all three engines that produce electricity for our plant and occasionally need to flare off the excess methane (we have four4 flares). "This might be of interest to your readers who use digestion for electricity." The biogas is used as fuel in diesel engines which power electricity generators. But this wasn't raw by-product, it was separated glycerin from a commercial producer: "The glycerine is agricultural grade and looks similar to thin maple syrup. "As for pH, since the chemistry in the anaerobic digester is healthy, a high pH wasn't much of a concern. Our main concern was foaming with the introduction of glycerin, and we did see an increase hence the slow feed rate to the
digester." Can the unseparated by-product, the whole glycerin-catalystsoap cocktail, also be used to increase biogas production? Biofuel mailing list member, researcher Pannirselvam in Brazil, said: "Very good news to make the gas and liquid biofuel in an integrated way. "There are many published papers about the enhanced production of biogas from oily wastes and glycerine is a good intermediate metabolite, hence the results agree with theory. "But here too we need a mixed microbial population to work well and they will need a lot of adoption time for glycerine, otherwise one may totally fail to produce gas. "There are two routes to get energy from waste of the BioDiesel making process, bioconversion and thermoconversion. I believe the combined Biogas generation is better than combustion. The correct mixture of proteins and glycerine and salt needs to be carefully solved by practical work." We'll be constructing biogas digesters here in Tamba soon, starting with this one: "Methane Digesters for Fuel Gas and Fertilizer, With Complete Instructions For Two Working Models", by L. John Fry, Chapter 10: Building an Inner Tube Digester. We'll investigate glycerine by-product digestion as a priority. We've been wanting to do this since 2001 -- see Appropriate transport (though not quite this way). Some home-brewers have pointed out that wastewater treatment systems should be able to handle the glycerin by-product without problems. It mixes with water, it's biodegradable, and if you reclaim the excess methanol first, it's non-toxic. As for the lye and the soap, lye is a drain-cleaner after all, and wastewater plants are no strangers to soap. Even the methanol might be an
advantage, some of the digester bacteria like it. But it's best not to pour by-product down the drain or the toilet without checking with your local authority first.
Separating the glycerine

What sinks to the bottom of the biodiesel processor during the settling stage is a mixture of glycerine, methanol, soaps and the lye catalyst. Most of the excess methanol and most of the catalyst remains in this layer. Once separated from the biodiesel, adding phosphoric acid to the glycerine layer precipitates the catalyst out and also converts the soaps back to free fatty acids (FFAs), which float on top. You're left with a light-colored precipitate on the bottom, glycerine/methanol/water in the middle, and FFA on top. The glycerine will be approx. 95% pure, a much more attractive product to sell to refiners. Here's how to do it: Separating glycerine/FFAs A commonly asked question: How much glycerine do you get? A better question would be: How much of the "glycerine layer" is actually glycerine? The rule of thumb is 79 milliliters of glycerine per liter of oil used -- 7.9%. In fact there's usually more soap -- the "glycerine" layer is more of a "soap" layer than anything else. Unless you use Aleks Kac's "Foolproof" acidbase two-stage process, that is -- see this photograph and the caption for an idea of how much less soap you'll make.
Purifying glycerine
Biodiesel can be made with ethanol (which you can make yourself), instead of methanol (which is toxic, fossil-fuel derived, and you can't make it yourself). Here's a recipe: Optimization of a Batch Type Ethyl Ester Process. But the ethanol has to be anhydrous -- free of water -- which can't be achieved by distillation. One way to dry it is to use the byproduct of making biodiesel -- glycerine. Here's how: Absolute Alcohol Using Glycerine -- Mariller-Granger Processes, from E. Boullanger: Distillerie Agricole et Industrielle (Paris: Ballire, 1924). Mariller's absolute alcohol production process by dehydration using glycerine, various systems examined and explained. Translation from the French by F. Marc de Piolenc.
But -- the glycerine has to be 99%+ pure. Purifying it is no simple matter -- it's difficult to distill it because glycerine has a very high boiling point (290 deg C). Solvent purification distillers will purify the glycerine, but they are expensive.
Soap
The crude glycerine by-product from homemade biodiesel makes a powerful degreaser. First remove the residual methanol -either boil it off (NOT over an open flame, do it in the open, don't inhale any fumes), or (better) recover the methanol for reuse. (Letting the by-product stand in an open container for a few weeks will NOT evaporate the methanol, or not much anyway.) The disadvantage is that the raw by-product contains most of the lye catalyst, which makes it very caustic, it can burn the skin if you don't use gloves. Saponifying the by-product makes an even better cleaner, and it's kind to the skin because of the high glycerine content. Glycerine is a natural product of the soapmaking process. Glycerine moisturizes the skin, but commercial soap manufacturers remove the glycerine for use in lotions and creams, which are more profitable. Handcrafted soap retains the glycerine, and hence the boom in do-it-yourself craft soapmaking, and the high prices of handmade soaps. Saponified glycerine by-product is a great cleaner, we use it for all cleaning jobs, whether to clean old machine parts filthy with dirt and grease, or as an effective and economical dishwasher, or an excellent hand-cleaner. It cuts through oil, grease and dirt like a knife, and it doesn't need much to do it. There are various recipes for making by-product "soap", but they're rather vague and imprecise. Basically, remove the methanol first, then mix extra lye with water, add it to the heated by-product and mix for 10 or 15 minutes while maintaining the temperature. Then you have to cure it for a couple of weeks. Use the soapmaking resources listed below to find a good general method to tell you how to go about heating, mixing and curing. The difficulty with by-product soap is in calculating how much extra lye to use. It depends how much you used in the first place.
The results also depend on which catalyst you used: sodium hydroxide (NaOH) will give a solid bar soap, potassium hydroxide (KOH) makes liquid soap. We prefer KOH as a catalyst and seldom use NaOH, and we have no experience of making bar-soap from the by-product. We'd rather have a liquid cleaner anyway. You have to stay with the catalyst you started with -- if you used NaOH in the biodiesel process you can't then use KOH to make soap from the by-product, it has to be NaOH, and vice versa, if you started with KOH, make soap with KOH. We use 100 ml of water per litre of by-product, which works well with KOH to make liquid cleaner. That should be okay for NaOH bar soap too, or try using less water. The lye quantity is more critical. It depends on the titration of the oil you used. Common recommendations are that if you used say 5-7 grams of NaOH per litre of oil in the biodiesel process, then you need another 30 to 40 grams of NaOH to saponify the byproduct. We think it should be more precise than that -- we've found if you don't use enough lye the soap tends to leave an oily film, and if you use too much it's too harsh. Here are some starting figures you could try, apply them proportionally according to the titration of your oil. If your oil titrated at 1 ml 0.1% NaOH solution try using 22 grams of NaOH; if the titration was 2.5 ml 0.1% NaOH solution, try 30 grams of NaOH. Make a few tests varying the amount by 2 grams on either side until you get the best result. For KOH, multiply by 1.52 for 92% pure KOH, or by 1.65 for 85% pure KOH. If you separate the glycerine by-product from the impurities (see Separating glycerine/FFAs), you'll be left with about 80-90% pure glycerine. You can add it to plain liquid soap to make a high-glycerine shower-soap or shampoo. It doesn't need much -try 10 to 20cc per 500cc of liquid soap, and add some essential oils for fragrance.
Excellent soap book

The Soapmaker's Companion: A Comprehensive Guide With Recipes, Techniques & KnowHow, by Susan Miller Cavitch, Storey
Books, 1997, ISBN: 0882669656 Recommended by Todd Swearingen, and, after we bought it, endorsed by us -- great on soap and of much interest to all biodiesellers. One reviewer said: "This was the most complete book on soapmaking I've ever read. The first to actually explain the chemistry & give formulas to figure the ratios of lye to fat." From Storey Books: http://www.storeybooks.com/
Web resources
So, you want to make soap? -- by Elaine White, author of "Soap Recipes: Seventy tried-and-true ways to make modern soap with herbs, beeswax and vegetable oils". http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk/makesoap.html How to Make Soap From Scratch -- "Making soap base is a cumbersome task, however, it is so rewarding to change the nature of natural things. What once was fat, water and lye turns into a beautiful, rich and creamy soap!" -- Soap Crafters Company. Full details, well illustrated. http://www.soapcrafters.com/makebase.htm Pathetic Plantation's soap making tutorial -- Detailed soap making instructions, with photographs. http://www.hometown.aol.com/thesoapmaker/ soapmakingtutorial.htm Online Lye Calculator at Majestic Mountain Sage helps soap makers calculate their soap formulations. Extensive soapmaking resources at this site. http://www.thesage.com/calcs/lyecalc.html SAP values -- To calculate the amount of lye needed to saponify the oils you plan to use look up the SAP value for each oil or fat under the type of lye you plan to use. Multiply the SAP value times the amount of oil or fat you plan to use. Add the amounts for each oil together to give you the correct amount of lye needed. http://www.luxurylane.com/thelibrary/reference/sap.htm
The old way

Colonial soap making, history
and techniques -- 5,250-word online booklet by Marietta Ellis of the Soap Factory, who has researched soap making techniques and the history of soap making for over 30 years. She also works with VITA (Volunteers In Technical Assistance), providing people in developing countries with soap making information. Detailed instructions, some illustrations, bibliography. http://www.alcasoft.com/soapfact/history.html Soap Making - Traditional Methods -- Prepared from information in many soap making books which describe old pioneering methods used up to the end of last century in America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, using substances which are easily found or made in most parts of the world, such as wood ash and rainwater. Many of these techniques are now being used in some African countries. 6,700-word article, with illustrations. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ paul_norman_3/SOAPMAKE.HTM Traditional Soap Making by Paul Norman -- "The aim here was to try and use old pioneering methods from the Western World, that use substances which are easily found or made in most parts of the world. These materials were originally prepared and printed as a booklet, at the request of Christians in Burma, to help in situations where normal supplies of soap are not readily available; and where caustic soda is hard to come by. This information was needed because soap can be powerful in stopping the spread of certain diseases." 6,500-word article with illustrations. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/paul_norman_3/ soapmake.htm Soap -- King's American Dispensatory, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898 http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/sapo.html
Soap forums
Toiletries mailing list -- Large email discussion group for soapmakers, good reference library, ongoing co-ops for essential
oils, bulk items, etc. http://www.yahoogroups.com/community/1Toiletries Toiletries Listservice web page -- Extensive soapmaking resources online, homepage of the Toiletries mailing list. http://www.luxurylane.com/thelibrary/index.htm Soap & Candle Making -- Web forum for those making soap and candles to share ideas and techniques. Post, browse or search messages. http://forums.thathomesite.com/forums/soap/ See: Natural vegetable soap
Glop soap
If you use too much lye when trying to make biodiesel it won't separate into biodiesel and glycerine but turn instead into a sort of gloppy jelly, maybe with some soap solidified at the bottom. You can turn it into soap. In a nutshell: "Don't do this with an open flame gas stove! "Pour glop into pot, turn on medium heat, let residual methanol evaporate, don't breathe, pick a soap recipe, subtract caustic already in glop from weight required by recipe, mix this amount of caustic with the specified amount of water, pour into pan, stir to trace, pour into mold or other, wait two weeks, bathe either self or dog." -- Todd Swearingen, Biofuels mailing list
Paintbrush cleaner
From Tony Clark to the Biofuel mailing list: "I have another use for the by-product from biodiesel production -- cleaning paint brushes which have been used with oil-based paints. I have found it to be superior to turps (turpentine), and have not had the brush harden from residual paint. 1. With the oily brush, dilute the paint in the brush (with biodiesel or turps) until it is runny when the brush is pushed onto a firm surface. I used about 50ml with a 2" brush.
2. Work the brush to ensure that the bristles are fully moistened. 3. Remove from dilution liquid. 4. Work brush in a small container with about 20 ml of glycerin, more for bigger brush/container (you will see the paint coming out). 5. Rinse brush under water until all milkiness is removed. 6. If brush still shows signs of paint, repeat glycerin stage with fresh glycerin. 7. Check that brush doesn't smell of paint and store brush as usual. "I disposed of the paint / biodiesel / glycerin / wash water in the compost."
High-explosives
The most earth-shattering use of glycerine remains that discovered by Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero 150 years ago when he subjected it to nitration to make the world's first real high-explosive, nitroglycerin, one of the most dangerous substances ever concocted. Sobrero's face was badly scarred in an explosion during an early experiment. He said nitroglycerin was so dangerous it was useless, and it had killed so many people he was ashamed to be its discoverer. But Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel set about mass-producing the stuff, in spite of several explosions -- one of which killed his brother. Nobel discovered that nitroglycerin could be mixed with silica (diatomaceous earth) to form a stable high-explosive which he called dynamite. It made him one of the richest men of the age.
Alfred Nobel Nitroglycerin is extremely powerful. A mere 10 ml will expand 10,000 times into 100 litres of gas at an explosive velocity of 7,700 metres per second (17,224 miles per hour) -- more powerful than TNT.
It's easy to find recipes for nitroglycerin. You mix deadly compounds like sulphuric acid and nitric acid with the glycerine and unless you can control the following runaway reaction it explodes in your face. Most formulas carry warnings like these:
"Caution: Nitroglycerin is extremely sensitive to decomposition, heating, dropping, or jarring, and may explode even if left undisturbed and cool." "Caution: Nitroglycerin has the capacity to sense when a stupid or clumsy person is around and, if given a chance, it will try to kill him." "Caution: This formula assumes that the maker has no qualms about killing his/her self in the process." These cautions are VERY well-founded! Every now and then newspapers rediscover these "resources" on the World Wide Web and set up a hue-and-cry for Internet censorship, claiming it promotes terrorism, but any terrorist worth his Semtex knows better than these amateurish offerings. Anyway these things have been around much longer than the Internet. We found a nitroglycerin recipe in a general how-to book published more than a century ago, along with a dozen other explosives, including dynamite. Did Civilization-As-WeKnow-It survive? It's hard to tell!
Heart disease drug

"In one of the more curious coincidences of science, the first modern high explosive -- nitroglycerin -- also became one of the very first man-made drugs. To this day, it remains the most commonplace treatment for chronic angina, the chest pain of heart disease," writes cardiologist Esmond A. Barker, MD, in "Nitroglycerin is most frequent medication for chronic heart pain". http://www.cardio.com/articles/nitrogly.htm Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator -- it relaxes the blood vessels, reducing the pressure on the heart. There can be side-effects -some patients get killer headaches, others low blood-pressure and dizziness -- and it can clash seriously with other drugs (see next). It comes in the form of tablets for under the tongue, ointment and skin patches -- and it cannot be turned into an explosive. The dosages are low: the tablets contain a maximum of 0.6 mg nitroglycerin, the ointment is 2% nitroglycerin.
This may be because nitroglycerin isn't only a deadly explosive, it's also a deadly poison: the lethal dose is only 2 grams, but toxicity begins with a much smaller amount.
Love potion
Nitroglycerin's action as an effective vasodilator led in 1998 to the release of RESTORE, the "first ever fully tested, effective topical cream for the safe treatment of male erectile dysfunction (impotence)". http://pharmacology.about.com/library/98news/bln0309a.htm "Restore" contains 1% nitroglycerin and is "effective within minutes of application of achieving an erection of up to 45 minutes duration. No significant side effects or instances of priapism were reported." Want to double the effect? Forget it: do NOT take Viagra (sildenafil) if you are taking any form of nitroglycerin, whether for heart pains or for heart pangs. The combination could kill you. http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9805/21/viagra.warning/
Safe sweetener
Glycerine is an alcohol (glycerol) and is used as a preservative in the food industry, as well as a sweetener: it is very sweet, yet it contains no sugar. This makes it an ideal sweetener for patients who cannot take sugar, such as the increasing number of Candida sufferers. Vegetable glycerine is said to be the "only acceptable sweetener" for Candida patients. Here are a couple of healthy recipes. Sweet potato casserole 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons 100% pure vegetable glycerin 2 teaspoon (alcohol free) orange flavouring Ground cinnamon to taste 1/2 cup chopped or ground fresh walnuts 1/2 pound sweet potatoes, scrubbed, peeled and quartered Preheat oven to 175C. Place sweet potatoes in a greased 8-inch casserole. Put all other ingredients into a small bowl: mix. Pour mixture over sweet potatoes and bake 35 minutes, or until forkhttp://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_glycerin.html (14 de 20)04/12/2006 11:31:12 a.m.
tender. Vanilla Pecan Icecream 3 eggs 2 tablespoons softened butter (optional) 1/2 cup food-grade glycerine 2 cups (unsweetened) soy or almond milk 2 teaspoons vanilla 1/2 teaspoons sea salt (optional) 2 cups cream, or 2 extra cups of soy or almond milk to lower the fat content 1/2 cup pecans (roast lightly in oven and cool before using) Beat eggs and milk together in large saucepan on low heat. Stir constantly until thickened -- mixture should smoothly coat a spoon. Takes 5-10 minutes. Cool. Add glycerin, cream (or soy or almond milk), vanilla, salt, and pecans. Refrigerate overnight or longer. Process in icecream maker (or freeze). Add carob flour to make a chocolate version.
Health supplement
Health supplement for sportsmen -- Glycerine increases blood volume, enhances temperature regulation and improves exercise performance in the heat, or so it is claimed. It helps "hyperhydrate" the body by increasing blood volume levels and helping to delay dehydration. Following glycerol consumption, heart rate and body core temperature are lower during exercise in the heat, suggesting an ergogenic (performance enhancing) effect. In long duration activities, a larger supply of stored water may lead to a delay in dehydration and exhaustion. However, read the safety provisos. http://www.supplementwatch.com/supatoz/ supplement.asp?supplementId=152
Preserving plants
This won't work with flowers. For foliage, cut sprigs or leaves, wash off any dust and dirt. Cut away the lower inch of the stem, and stand the specimen in a solution of two parts of water to one part of glycerine. Big,
heavy leaves might do better in a 50-50 solution. The leaves might change color with absorbtion. Ready when the entire leaf has changed color, having absorbed as much liquid as possible. The process takes a week or two. If the leaves start to droop, they've been in the solution too long. Take them out, -- preserved wipe them off, (dark) and freshtie a string picked round the stem and hang them upside down. Another way is to completely Six hours later the fresh submerge the leaves in the solution leaves have wilted (you'll have to weigh them down). This method works better with some leaves. When ready, wipe any moisture off the leaves. Wipe off any moisture or "leakage" for the first few weeks. They're now permanently preserved.
Mulberry leaves
Photocopying -- from long before the age of photocopiers

Copying Pad for Taking Transfers of Writing.White gelatine 4 ounces, water 8 ounces, glycerine 8 ounces, gum dextrine 2 ounces. Always use these same proportions for any amount. Melt the gelatine in the water at a gentle heat, add to it the glycerine, in which the gum dextrine has been thoroughly incorporated. Now stir all together, until thoroughly mixed, and then pour into pans of the desired size, to the depth of 1/2 inch. RECIPE FOR INK TO BE USED.Violet analine 40 grains, gum arabic 12 grains, alcohol 1/4 ounce, water 1/2 ounce; dissolve the gum in the water and alcohol, then add the analine. Shake in a bottle from time to time, until the analine is dissolved. TO WORK THE COPYING PAD.Write with the ink on any good paper, press the written surface on the pad, and allow it to remain two minutes; then take off and the writing will remain,
from which impressions may be taken by laying on plain paper and smoothing with the hand. As soon as the last impression is taken, be sure and wash off with a wet sponge. -- From "Lee's Priceless Recipes: 3000 secrets for the home, farm, laboratory, workshop and every department of human endeavor", Laird & Lee, Chicago, 1895 (facsim. Algrove, Ottawa, 1998).
Other uses
Glycerine is also a source of lecithin (used in foods as a fat emulsifier, and a vital component of all cell membrances in the body) and of tocopherols (vitamin E). It is used in skin moisturizers, lotions, deodorants, makeup, toothpaste, sweets and cakes, pharmaceuticals and patent medicines, in paper manufacturing, printing ink, in textiles, plastics, and electronic components.
Composting
Failing all else, you can compost excess glycerine by-product -it is non-toxic and biodegrades quickly. It will need to be mixed thoroughly with other materials so that the air and bacteria can get at it, or it will just make a sticky mass -- mix thoroughly with dry, "brown" materials, use in conjunction with other composting materials as only a part of the overall mix. Composting should be "hot" compost -- aerobic, thermophilic compost that reaches high temperatures. See Journey to Forever's Composting pages. NaOH or KOH? "What to do with Glycerin Compost? -- but probably not if NaOH, only KOH", says a US biodiesel website, and provides the link to this webpage. Not so. You can safely compost the by-product of biodiesel made with either NaOH (sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide), as well as of biodiesel made with the acid-base method, which leaves some sulphates in the by-product mixture (sulphur is a "macro-nutrient", essential for plant growth, all soils contain sulphur). Potassium is sold as a chemical fertiliser, and sodium isn't used
as a fertiliser, so some people jump to the conclusion that sodium will harm the soil and the plant life. In fact both sodium and potassium are a part of healthy soil, and on the other hand both of them can harm the soil if used in excess. Composting greatly reduces that risk. "It has been concluded that sodium makes potassium available [to plants], that it tends to conserve soil calcium, magnesium and potassium. It can assist in plant nutrition when soil potassium is not suffiicient for the requirements of the crop." -- Charles Walters Jr., C.J. Fenzau, "An Acres U.S.A. Primer" Sodium and potassium are cation elements. In a healthy soil with ideal conditions for plant growth, the proportions of the cation elements are: calcium 60 to 70%, magnesium 10 to 15%, potassium 2 to 5%, sodium 0.5 to 3%, hydrogen 10 to 15%, and other elements 2 to 4%. You can add sodium up to the level of 3% with no harm. The upper limit for potassium is only 2% higher anyway. Too much sodium and/or potassium will unbalance the soil both physically (packed soil, poor drainage) and biologically (less biological activity overall, higher proportion of pathogens). Adding minerals direct to the soil can be an imprecise and hazardous game. Composting widens the margins for error considerably, resulting in higher organic-matter (humus) levels which help to "buffer" the soil, along with increased quantities of all the cation elements. When it's been composted first, the soil can absorb reasonable amounts of sodium or potassium without harm. If you try to use too much by-product in the compost mix it won't compost, you'll have re-mix it with more dry brown stuff. If it composts well, it will be safe to use. If you want to recycle your glycerin by-product this way learn to make good compost. More about composting the glycerin by-product -- separated glycerin speeds up the composting process: Composting glycerine might not only be an environmentally sound way to eliminate the coproduct,
but it may actually speed up decomposition of the materials in the pile. I diluted crude glycerine (2 water : 1 glycerine) split from the glycerine cocktail. I added some of the potassium phosphate that precipitates out and some ammonia to raise pH a bit. This was added to my compost as it was being built. After 48 hrs the temp of the pile was 160F (71C). This is considerably higher than temps I normally achieve. Upon turning the pile the second time I divided the large pile into 2 smaller piles.To one I added the solution as I built it, to the other I added water, only. After approximately 36 hrs the pile with the solution added was 150F, the one with only water was 125 F. This , I think, corroborates what the earlier results suggest: The glycerine and minerals split from the cocktail can not only be composted safely, they seem to stimulate the process. -- "Crude Glycerin and Hot Compost", Thomas Kelly, Biofuel mailing list, 30 May 2006, http://snipurl.com/rq1z See also: http://snipurl.com/rq20 Re: [Biofuel] more goofy questions [composting the glycerine cocktail] 31 May 2006 Don't try to feed glycerine by-product to manure worms (see Vermicomposting), it will kill them unless it's been precomposted.
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process
Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
How much methanol? Journey to Forever
How much methanol should you use?

The stoichiometric quantity of methanol is the amount needed to convert triglycerides (fats and oils) into esters (biodiesel) -- the "methyl" portion of methyl esters. You also need an excess of methanol to push the conversion process towards completion -without the excess the process runs out (reaches equilibrium) before all the triglycerides are converted to esters, resulting in poor fuel that doesn't combust well and can be corrosive. The excess methanol acts more like a catalyst: it encourages the process but does not become a part of the final product and can be recovered afterwards.
Stoichiometric quantity
The stoichiometric quantity is usually said to be 12.5% methanol by volume -- that is, 125 millilitres of methanol per litre of oil. Some people put it at 13%, or 13.5%, or even as low as 8%. In fact it depends on the amounts of the various fatty acids in the oil, and varies from one oil to another. Biofuel mailing list member Christian Lenoir figured it out, and here are the results. Christian provided the average proportions of the different fatty acids in each of the more common fats and oils, calculated their total molecular weights, and from this was able to calculate the stoichiometric amount of methanol required to convert them. The amount varies from 11.3% for rapeseed oil (canola) to 16.3% for coconut oil. These figures are averages -- fatty acid quantities vary somewhat when oil crops are grown in different conditions in different parts of the world. But they're close enough for our purposes, and a lot more accurate than the general figure of 12.5%. If you have an analysis of the fatty acid content of your oil, you can calculate the correct stoichiometric ratio from the figures provided in these tables. Fatty acids % Fats and oils Molecular wt. Tallow Lard Butter Coconut Palm kernel Palm Safflower Peanut Cottonseed C4:0 C6:0 C8:0 C10:0 Butyric Caproic Caprylic Capric 88 116 144 172 3.5 1.5 2.5 8 8 3 5 C12:0 Lauric 200 0.2 3 48 48.5 C14:0 C16:0 C16:1 Myristic Palmitic Palmitoleic 228 256 254 3 27 2 1 26 2 11 30 3.5 16 8.5 17 7.5 0.5 3.5 39.5 5.2 0.5 7 1.5 1.5 19 -
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_meth.html (1 de 5)04/12/2006 11:31:19 a.m.
Maize Olive Sunflower Soy Rapeseed/Canola Mustard Cod liver oil Linseed Tung
0.5 -
1 1 0.3 4 0.2 -
9 13 6 7.8 3.5 3 10 6 -
1.5 2 0.4 0.2 14.5 -
Fatty acids % C20:0 C20:1 C22:1 Fats and oils C22:0 MonoArachidonic C18:3 (continued) C18:0 C18:1 C18:2 Arachydic unsaturated - Erucic & Stearic Oleic Linoleic Linolenic - Behenic acids <C16:1 others & others Molecular wt. 284 282 280 278 326 226 324 Tallow 24.1 40.7 2 0.7 0.3 Lard 13 45.2 10.3 2.5 Butter 12 26 3 1.65 1.5 0.85 Coconut 2.5 6.5 2 0.5 Palm kernel 2 14 1 1.5 Palm 3.5 46 7.5 Safflower 2.2 76.4 16.2 Peanut 4.5 52 27 7.5 Cottonseed 2 31 44 2.5 Maize 2.5 40 45 1 Olive 2 68 12 0.5 1 Sunflower 4.2 18.7 69.4 0.3 1.4 Soy 2.5 26 51 5 7 Rapeseed/ 2 13.5 17 7.5 0.9 56.3 Canola Mustard 1.5 39.5 12 8 36 Cod liver oil 0.5 28 1 42 Linseed 5 17.3 16 55 0.5 Tung 8 12 80 -
Oils and fats
Total molecular weight
Stoich. ratio Density Volume Volume Density methanol : oil @ 50C oil (ml) methanol (ml) %
Tallow Lard Butter Coconut Palm kernel Palm Safflower Peanut Cottonseed Maize Olive Sunflower Soy Rapeseed/ Canola Mustard Cod liver oil Linseed Tung
858.54 863.73 797.64 674.51 704 847.28 879.1 885.02 867.38 872.81 870.65 877.22 882.82 959.04 925.43 908.81 872.4 873.68
0.895 0.92* 0.91 0.926 0.912 0.923 0.927 0.919 0.918 0.923 0.923 0.925 0.925 0.914 0.916 0.929 0.934 0.944
0.88 0.9* 0.89 0.91 0.89 0.9 0.91 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.91 0.91 0.89 0.9 0.91 0.91 0.92
981.18 959.7* 896.73 744.57 789.33 938.29 966.44 984.45 963.76 966.57 964.17 969.3 975.5 1072.75 1032.85 1000.34 954.48 945.54
121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52 121.52
12.4 12.7 13.6 16.3 15.4 13 12.6 12.3 12.6 12.6 12.6 12.5 12.5 11.3 11.8 12.1 12.7 12.9
* Approximate
Excess
Further arguments rage over how much excess is needed, with figures quoted claiming that this much will achieve 98% conversion but that much only 95% or less. Good process completion depends on several different factors, not just the excess methanol: the type of oil, its condition, the catalyst, the type, size and shape of the processor, the type and duration of agitation, the temperature of the process -- and the arguments don't make much sense anyway if the stoichiometric ratio is wrong in the first place. However, excess is usually between 60% and 100% of the stoichiometric amount. So if the stoichiometric ratio of the oil you're using is 12.5%, that is 125 ml of methanol per litre of oil, the excess would range between 75 ml and 125 ml, for a total amount of methanol of 200-250 ml per litre of oil. Oils with higher stoichiometric ratios seem to need higher excesses of methanol. So, for fresh (new, uncooked) soy or canola, you can try 60%, though 67% or more would be better. For palm kernel or coconut, try higher excesses. For used oil, WVO -- waste vegetable oil, as it's called, though it often contains animal fats from the cooking, use 60% minimum excess. For heavily used oils with high titration levels, use higher excesses, up to 100%. If you don't know what kind of oil your WVO is and you're having difficulties with it, try using
25% methanol -- 250 ml methanol to 1 litre of oil. If you've taken care with the titration, used accurate measurements and followed the instructions carefully, you should get a good, clean "split", with esters on top and the glycerine and free fatty acids cleanly separated at the bottom. If you have trouble washing it, with a lot of frothing, that could be because the process didn't go far enough and unconverted material is forming emulsions -- try using more methanol next time. If everything works well, try using less methanol. You'll soon figure out what's best for you. Most people use 20% or 22% methanol by volume, 200-220 ml methanol to 1 litre of oil. This usually gives good results. Difficulties with washing and the quality checks are more often due to errors with titration and inaccurate measurements or to poor processing than to not enough methanol. With the "Foolproof" acid-base two-stage method, don't worry about it, just follow the instructions.
Ethyl esters
The same principles apply for making ethyl esters instead of methyl esters, using ethanol rather than methanol -- with some differences. Use 1.4 times more ethanol than methanol. It won't work if there's any water in the ethanol or the oil. It works much better with some methanol added, up to 3:1 ethanol:methanol. Fresh oil is better -- with used oil (WVO) it won't work with FFA content much more than 1ml by titration. Experiment -- there's more information here: Ethyl-esters biodiesel. Please let us know your results. References Liberty Vegetable Oil Company lists the fatty acid composition of their oils as well as other details such as the Iodine Value, SG, Flash point etc -- Sweet Almond Oil, Pecan Oil, English Walnut Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Soybean Oil, Oleic Sunflower Oil, Canola Oil, Peanut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Corn Oil, Safflower Oil, Soybean Oil (Non-GMO), High Oleic Oils including Canola and Safflower. http://www.libertyvegetableoil.com/products. html
Biofuels at Journey to Forever Biofuels

En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors
Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Copyright of all original material on this website is the property of Keith Addison, unless otherwise stated, and may be copied and distributed for non-commercial education purposes only as long as the source of the material is stated and a reference to the Journey to Forever website URL is included (http://journeytoforever. org/). All material is provided as is without guarantees or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Haz tu propio biodiesel - pgina 2: Journey to Forever
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Cunto metanol? (ingl) Etilsteres -- biodiesel a partir del etanol Recuperar el exceso de metanol Ms sobre la leja Cunta leja es necesaria? Valoracin sencilla Valoracin mejorada Medidas exactas Medidores de pH Fenolftalena Conparacin entre la fenolftalena y el medidor electrnico Cantidades grandes de AGL Desacidificar el aceite usado Cmo evitar la valoracin La cantidad bsica de leja 3,5 gramos? Preparacin del metxido Lotes de prueba Solucin madre de metxido La valoracin del pobre Cunta glicerina?Por qu no est slida? Mezclas en botes de plstico PET Comprobacin de la viscosidad Descripcin del proceso Qu son los cidos Grasos Libres(AGL)? ndices de yodo (ingl) -- ndices de yodo elevados (ingl) -- Hablando del tiempo (ingl) Por qu mtodo debo empezar? Por qu no puedo empezar con el mtodo cido-base? Calidad (esp) Control de calidad (esp) Nmero de cetanos (ingl) Estndares nacionales para biodiesel (ingl) -- Los estndares y el productor casero (ingl)
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-- Pruebas de los estndares (ingl) Biodiesel en motores de gasolina Otros usos Faroles y cocinas Identificacin de los plsticos
Etilsteres -- biodiesel a partir del etanol

Producir biodiesel de etilsteres usando etanol es un proceso delicado, ms difcil que producir metilsteres usando metanol, pero puede hacerse. Los siguientes documentos estn disponibles en nuestra biblioteca de los biocombustibles, y hay buenos consejos de un experto que produce sin problemas biodiesel de etilsteres . Optimizacin de un proceso por lotes de etilsteres -- Es una receta para hacer biodiesel con etanol (que puedes destilar t mismo), en vez de metanol (que es txico y proviene del petrleo). Produccin y comprobacin de etil y metilsteres , Universidad de Idaho, diciembre de 1994. Transesterificacin para producir etilsteres a partir del aceite de colza by Roger A. Korus, Dwight S. Hoffman Narendra Barn, Charles L. Peterson, and David C. Drown, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA (Acrobat file, 672Kb) Produccin de biodiesel con etanol y aceite de cocina usado Por Charles L. Peterson, Daryl Reece, Brian Hammond, Joseph C. Thompson y Sidney Beck, Universidad de Idaho, Idaho, EE.UU. (Acrobat file, 2,4Mb) Ken Provost, miembro de la Lista de correo de los biocombustibles , tiene mucha experiencia en la produccin de etilsteres y nos ha enviado los siguientes consejos:
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Biodiesel a partir del etanol

1. Primero adquiere mucha experiencia con el metanol antes de intentarlo con el etanol. Aprende a hacer bien las valoraciones; determinar la acidez es importante cuando se usa etanol.
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Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
2. Procura usar KOH (hidrxido de potasio) en vez de NaOH (hidrxido de sodio). El NaOH funciona, pero se disuelve MUY LENTAMENTE en el etanol. Hace falta ms KOH (10 gr de KOH por litro de aceite nuevo) que cuando se usa NaOH (7 gr de NaOH por litro de aceite nuevo). Ms del indicado por la valoracin. 3. El etanol tiene que estar EXTREMADAMENTE seco. Graduacin 199 o mayor. Etanol puro. Ms de un 0,5% de agua en el etanol impide que se produzca la reaccin. Los denaturantes como metanol, alcohol isoproplico, MIBK, etc., no dan ningn problema. Un Etanol tan seco es difcil de encontrar a buen precio, especialmente en EE.UU. Si intentas destilarlo t mismo necesitars un tamiz molecular, cal viva o algo as para hacer un secado qumico. La destilacin deja en el alcohol como mnimo un 5% de agua, que es demasiada. (Mira ms abajo: etanol anhidro) 4. Si te interesa el etanol por motivos medioambientales, se prudente. Los alcoholes desnaturalizados que usan los pintores, o en otras aplicaciones industriales, proceden a veces del petrleo. De hecho, es ms barato producir alcohol anhidro (sin agua) a partir del petrleo (que no tiene agua) que destilando materias vegetales (que s la tienen). La nica manera de conocer el origen del alcohol es preguntar al fabricante. Si es "sinttico" procede del petrleo, y si es "fermentado" procede de las plantas. Un tipo de etanol anhidro desnaturalizado que casi siempre procede de la fermentacin es el "fuel-grade", con una graduacin de 199 y desnaturalizado con gasolina. Es lo que se mezcla con gasolina para formar gasohol. 5. El aceite tambin tiene que estar EXTREMADAMENTE seco. Calintalo hasta 120C (248F) y mantn esa temperatura. Sabrs que se ha evaporado toda el agua si al apagar la llama, el burbujeo para casi al instante. Si el burbujeo se mantiene despus de apagar es porque todava queda agua y tienes que seguir calentando. Tambin puedes echar en el aceite gel de slice para que absorba el agua que quede y dejar que repose 12 horas. En el fondo queda el gel con la humedad y encima el aceite seco, pero a veces esto no es suficiente. Recuerda: con ms del 0,5% de agua puede que no se produzca la reaccin. 6. El aceite debe tener pocos cidos Grasos Libres (AGL). Debes comprobar la acidez de cada partida de aceite para
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asegurarte de que no contiene demasiados AGL. Si la valoracin da ms de 2 ml (usando solucin de NaOH al 0,1%) puede que los AGL reaccionen con la glicerina. Si da menos de 1 ml todo saldr bien. La mayora de los aceites usados son demasiado cidos y hay que desacidificarlos con NaOH, o mezclarlos con aceite nuevo y limpio para neutralizar los AGL. 7. Para que reaccione todo el aceite hace falta una cantidad mayor de etanol que si se utilizara metanol. Para la mayora de los aceites es suficiente con usar entre 275 ml y 300 ml por litro de aceite. El aceite de coco necesita ms, puede que 350 ml. Tericamente hay que usar 180 ml de etanol por litro de aceite, el resto es un exceso necesario para que la reaccin se desarrolle correctamente. 8. Incluso siguiendo todos los consejos anteriores, que la glicerina se separe del biodiesel es cuestin de suerte y rezo fervoroso. A veces la separacin ocurre igual que con el metanol. Otras veces no se separan hasta tres o cuatro horas despus, o puede que tarden toda la noche. Hay veces que no se separan NUNCA. Si no se separa de la glicerina, no es biodiesel. He odo hablar de personas que no esperan a que se produzca la separacin. Echan la mezcla en el depsito directamente, o hacen una especie de lavado con agua, y piensan que es buen biodiesel. Puede que arda, pero no es biodiesel. Tiene que separarse de la glicerina. 9. Si no se separan, puedes aadir metxido. Para asegurarte de que se produzca la separacin puedes poner un poco de metanol con el etanol desde el principio. Por ejemplo, puedes probar usando una mezcla de entre cinco y siete partes de etanol y una de metanol. Espera durante unas horas a que la glicerina y el biodiesel se separen, si no lo hacen, mezcla metxido directamente en el recipiente, usando suficiente metanol para que la proporcin etanol/metanol sea 3/1, y 2 gr de KOH por litro de aceite. La separacin suele comenzar una hora despus. Los aceites limpios, sin usar, deberan reaccionar con el etanol al primer intento. Si vas a usar una mezcla de etanol y metanol, necesitars 275 ml por litro de aceite. 10. Si todava no te has asustado, Buena suerte! -- Ken Provost
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Caucho
Etanol anhidro (sin agua)
El biodiesel puro acabar devorando cualquier pieza de caucho, natural o sinttico, del sistema de distribucin de combustible (tubos y juntas). Acude al fabricante del vehculo para sustituir las piezas de caucho por otras de materiales resistentes (como Viton B). Consulta la tabla de Duracin de los plsticos y tambin Identificacin de los plsticos. Los motores ms modernos no tienen caucho. Mira tambin El biodiesel y tu vehculo .
Para producir etilsteres el etanol debe ser anhidro, ms del 99% de etanol (menos de 1% de agua). Con la destilacin ordinaria slo se consigue una pureza del 96,6%, el resto es agua, que interfiere en la reaccin de transesterificacin. El alcohol procedente de la destilacin casera suele tener una graduacin de 170-190 (pureza de 85%-95%). Algunos miembros de la Lista de correo de los biocombustibles de Journey to Forever han conseguido producir etilsteres usando alcohol con una pureza del 85%, destilado por ellos mismos y secado con cal viva (CaO). Consulta "The Manual for the Home and Farm Production of Alcohol Fuel" de S.W. Mathewson, Chapter 12 -- Drying the Alcohol, Secado del alcohol con cal. Es ms fcil usar el tamiz molecular 3A Zeolite. Ken Provost escribi: "El Zeolite (tamiz molecular) absorbe muy bien el ltimo resto de agua que queda en el etanol destilado. Compr una muestra de tamiz molecular 3A a Adcoa en California del Sur." "Compr un bote. Son pequeas bolas de roca de 1/8 de pulgada de dimetro. Absorben el 20% de su peso de agua en unas pocas horas. Se puede conseguir etanol anhidro en un da poniendo 250 gr de Zeolite en un litro de etanol 95%; hay que remover de vez en cuando y filtrar las bolitas al da siguiente. No es nada caro -- 2.05 US$ por una cantidad de 10 lb , y se puede reutilizar indefinidamente. Las bolitas se secan dejndolas en la parrilla durante una hora." Adcoa en California del Sur: http://www.adcoa/molecula.htm O busca "3A Molecular Sieve" en Thomas Register: http://thomasnet.com/nsearch.html? cov=NA&which=prod&what=3a+Molecular +Sieve&navsec=search&heading=75170753 O en google o cualquier otro buscador. Otra alternativa es pasar los vapores a travs de una columna de tamiz molecular durante la destilacin. Harina de maz como absorbente para deshidratar los vapores del etanol -- por Michael R. Ladisch et al., Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University. La mitad del etanol que se produce en EE.UU. se
deseca con harina de maz. Cuando la harina pierde su capacidad desecante se fermenta y se destila para producir ms etanol. Es el primer documento escrito sobre este tema, data de 1981. Cmo separar el etanol del agua -- por Renaldo V. Jenkins del centro de investigacin Langley, Hampton, Virginia, USA. Mtodos ms econmicos para separar el agua del etanol y conseguir etanol anhidro utilizando sulfuro o aceite de ricino. Informacin proporcionada por F. Marc de Piolenc. Alcohol puro usando Glicerina -- Proceso MarillerGranger, de E. Boullanger: Distillerie Agricole et Industrielle (Paris: Ballire, 1924). Proceso de Mariller para la produccin de alcohol puro usando la glicerina como desecante, varios sistemas examinados y explicados. Traducido del francs al ingls por F. Marc de Piolenc.
Recuperar el exceso de metanol

Dependiendo del tipo de aceite, hacen falta entre 110 y 160 mililitros de metanol por litro de aceite para formar el metilester. Pero hay que usar ms metanol del imprescindible para que la reaccin se complete. La cantidad total suele ser del 20% (o ms) del volumen de aceite, es decir, a partir de 200 ml de metanol por litro de aceite. Mucho del metanol sobrante puede recuperarse despus de la reaccin para reutilizarlo, simplemente calentndolo en un recipiente cerrado con salida a un condensador. El metanol hierve a 64,7 C (148,5 F), aunque empieza a evaporarse antes de llegar a la ebullicin. A diferencia del etanol, el metanol no forma un azeotropo con el agua, y puede obtenerse un metanol relativamente puro, lo suficiente para volver a usarlo. Puede recuperarse de al final del proceso, o tambin de la capa de subproductos, ya que el 70% del metanol sobrante acaba en esa capa y es mejor calentar slo los subproductos que calentarlo todo (subproductos y biodiesel). Consulta Condensador de metanol. Parece mejor recuperar el metanol al final del proceso porque
ya est caliente y adems se recupera tambin el que queda en el biodiesel, no slo el de los subproductos. Pero puede invertirse la reaccin y convertir el biodiesel en glicridos. El profesor Michael Allen dice: "No es conveniente sacar el metanol sobrante cuando acaba el proceso porque as se invierte la reaccin. Sin el metanol sobrante, la glicerina y el biodiesel reaccionan para recuperar el equilibrio. Ese exceso de metanol tiene una funcin importante porque mantiene el equilibrio sin que reaccionen la glicerina y el biodiesel. Una vez separados estos, ya no se produce la reaccin y puede recuperarse el metanol." Hay gente que separa el metanol cuando todava estn mezclados el biodiesel y la glicerina(normalmente crean un vaco dentro del reactor para que se condense a menor temperatura). Nosotros preferimos no arriesgarnos a que la reaccin quede incompleta. Es mejor recuperarlo por separado del biodiesel (antes de lavarlo) y de la capa de glicerina. Para la glicerina: calienta hasta 65-70 C (149-158 F); segn disminuya la cantidad de metanol, aumentar el punto de ebullicin y tendrs que aumentar la temperatura para que el metanol siga evaporndose, puede que hasta 100 C (212 F) o ms. A esa temperatura la glicerina empieza a burbujear y ya no debes calentar ms, pero para entonces se habr evaporado casi todo el metanol. Si tienes a alguien que te compre fertilizante de potasio o glicerina para usos industriales (pureza del 80-90%), puedes hacer el esfuerzo de preparar esos productos separando la mezcla de subproductos en sus componentes. Aadiendo cido fosfrico los jabones se separan de la glicerina y la leja queda libre, pero sin el metanol no se separan, hay que separarlos antes de quitar el metanol. Despus de la separacin el metanol queda en la glicerina y ya se puede separar de ella. Probablemente los evaporadores tipo "flash"" sean los ms eficientes para recuperar el metanol, tanto del biodiesel como de la mezcla de subproductos.
Ms sobre la leja
El catalizador usado en la transesterificacin de aceites vegetales y de grasas animales es la leja; puede ser hidrxido
de sodio (NaOH, sosa castica) o hidrxido de potasio (KOH). La leja es higroscpica, es decir, absorbe la humedad de la atmsfera. Por eso debes asegurarte de que la leja que compras es reciente (que no haya estado almacenada mucho tiempo) y de cerrar el bote hermticamente. Cuando la peses, no la dejes expuesta al aire demasiado tiempo. En los das hmedos nosotros la pesamos protegida por bolsas de plstico, una en cada plato de la balanza para compensar el peso extra de la bolsa. Cierra el bote y la bolsa justo despus de pesar la cantidad que necesitas y mzclala con el metanol lo antes posible. La leja tambin absorbe de la atmsfera el dixido de carbono (CO2) volvindose carbonatada si no se almacena adecuadamente. La leja carbonatada es blanca, mientras que la leja pura y bien conservada es translcida. La leja carbonatada tambin se puede usar, pero hace falta ms cantidad (aproximadamente un 25% ms). El hidrxido de sodio (NaOH) es ms fcil de obtener y ms barato que el hidrxido de potasio (KOH). Hay tres tipos: las escamas y las perlas de 5mm (medias perlas) son 96-97% de NaOH, las perlas pequeas (1-2 mm) son 99% o ms de NaOH, pero son ms caras. Todas sirven. En EE.UU., el producto "Red Devil lye" es NaOH puro; no uses "Drano Crystal", slo contiene un 54,2% de NaOH. El KOH no es tan fuerte como el NaOH -- hace falta 1,4 veces ms cantidad de KOH que de NaOH (exactamente 1,4025). La valoracin se hace igual, pero usando solucin de KOH en vez de NaOH, y usando 1 gramo de KOH por cada mililitro de solucin al 0,1%. La cantidad bsica de 3,5 gramos de NaOH por litro de aceite debe ser sustituida por 3,5 x 1,4 = 4,9 gramos de KOH por litro de aceite. Por ejemplo, si el resultado de la valoracin es de 5 ml, usa 5 + 4,9 = 9,9 gr/l. Otra complicacin: comprueba la pureza del KOH, pues no suele ser tan puro como el NaOH. La pureza de las escamas de KOH es normalmente del 92%, a veces menos. Fjate en la etiqueta. Nosotros usamos medias perlas con una pureza del 85%. Ajusta la cantidad bsica segn la pureza: los 4,9 grs deben convertirse en 5,8 grs (5,775) si la pureza es del 85%, 5,33 grs si es del 92%. El NaOH forma a veces forma una masa pastosa, pero el KOH se disuelve mucho mejor en el metanol.
Cunta leja es necesaria?

Hacen falta 3,5 gr de NaOH por litro de aceite para catalizar la transesterificacin (para el aceite nuevo, sin cocinar). El aceite usado necesita ms leja que el nuevo, para neutralizar los cidos Grasos Libres (AGL) que se forman al cocinarlo, que pueden ralentizar o impedir la transesterificacin. Hay que hacer una valoracin para determinar la cantidad de AGL que contiene el aceite y la cantidad de leja necesaria. La valoracin mide el pH del aceite, el nivel cido-base (pH7 es neutro, valores menores de pH7 indican acidez y valores mayores indican basicidad, alcalinidad). A partir de la valoracin se puede calcular cunta leja de ms es necesaria para neutralizar los cidos Grasos Libres. La leja extra convierte los AGL en jabn, que se hunde hasta el fondo junto con la glicerina. Si sobra leja se formar ms jabn, y menos biodiesel, y este ser ms alcalino y difcil de lavar. Puede que ni siquiera se produzca la reaccin. Si falta leja una parte del aceite quedar sin reaccionar. Mira aqu: Descripcin del proceso La cantidad bsica de leja 3,5 gramos?
Valoracin sencilla
Lo mejor es usar un medidor de pH electrnico, pero tambin puedes usar papel tornasol o solucin de fenolftalena. Disuelve 1 gr de leja en un litro de agua destilada o desionizada (disolucin de leja al 0,1%). En un vaso de precipitado pequeo, disuelve 1 ml de aceite usado (primero qutale el agua calentndolo) en 10 ml de alcohol isoproplico puro. Calienta el vaso de precipitado al bao Mara, pero slo un poco, y revuelve hasta que el aceite se haya disuelto totalmente en el alcohol. Aade dos gotas de solucin de fenolftalena. Utiliza una jeringa graduada para aadir solucin de leja al 0,1% gota a gota en la disolucin de aceite-alcoholhttp://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_fabricar2.html (9 de 43)04/12/2006 11:31:28 a.m.
fenolftalena, revolviendo todo el tiempo, hasta que la mezcla se vuelva rosa (magenta) y mantenga ese color durante 10 segundos. Suma 3,5 al nmero de ml de disolucin al 0,1% que hayas usado. El resultado de esa suma es el nmero de gramos de leja que tienes que usar por cada litro de aceite. Con el medidor electrnico y con el papel tornasol el procedimiento es idntico, pero sin fenolftalena. Aade la solucin de leja al 0.1% gota a gota hasta que el pH llegue a 8,5.
Valoracin mejorada
Para medir exactamente 1 gr de NaOH hace falta una balanza muy precisa. Es mucho ms fcil medir 5 gr que 1 gr; disuelve 5 gr de NaOH en 500 ml de agua destilada o desionizada. Cuando vayas a hacer la valoracin mide 5 ml de la disolucin anterior y mzclala con otros 45 ml de agua destilada o desionizada. Con esto consigues una solucin de leja al 0,1%. Tampoco es fcil medir exactamente 1 ml de aceite. En vez de 1 ml de aceite y 10 ml de alcohol isoproplico, disuelve 4 ml de aceite en 40 ml de alcohol en un vaso de precipitado. Calienta la mezcla al bao mara (pero no demasiado), y revuelve hasta que el aceite se disuelva totalmente. El resto se hace igual. Aade gotas de solucin al 0,1% hasta que el pH sea 8,5. Cuenta el nmero de ml y divdelo entre cuatro. De esta forma la medida es mucho ms exacta. Para ahorrar alcohol isoproplico pon 2 ml de aceite en 20 ml de isoproplico y divide los resultados entre dos (dos veces ms exacto).
Medidas exactas
Las balanzas realmente precisas son caras, a no ser que encuentres una de segunda mano en buenas condiciones. Aun as debes comprobar su precisin. Una buena forma de hacerlo es usar monedas nuevas.
Averigua cul es el peso exacto (en gramos) de las monedas de tu pas. Si consigues un juego completo de monedas nuevas puedes comprobar la precisin de tu balanza para un amplio rango de pesos. Si tienes una balanza de dos platos, necesitars dos juegos de monedas para poner monedas del mismo tipo (mismo peso) en los dos platos y as comprobar que est bien ajustada. Con este mtodo se puede conseguir una precisin de una dcima de gramo, si la balanza es buena. Si tienes algo que mida mililitros con mucha exactitud utiliza esa medida para comprobar la exactitud de tus frascos, jeringas, pipetas, y cualquier otro utensilio que mida mililitros. Si no, compara entre s las medidas para comprobar que todos los instrumentos coinciden. La jeringa o pipeta que uses para medir la solucin de leja al 0,1% en la valoracin debe tener una precisin de 0,1 ml.
Medidores de pH
Se dice que los medidores de pH electrnicos no son fiables para hacer valoraciones, ni para medir el pH del biodiesel porque el biodiesel no es una disolucin acuosa. Eso no es totalmente cierto; el biodiesel es higroscpico y siempre contiene alrededor de 1.200 ppm de agua absorbida de la atmsfera (o de algn otro sitio). Y los equipos de laboratorio estndar para valoraciones utilizan medidores electrnicos. Tenemos tres medidores electrnicos, uno de ellos bastante caro, e hicimos algunas comparaciones con fenolftalena y con varias tiras de comprobacin. Empleamos aceites usados de diversos orgenes, y aceite nuevo como referencia. Preparamos varios lotes de prueba para comprobar los distintos mtodos. Los tres medidores electrnicos coincidan siempre y daban buenos resultados. Los resultados de la fenolftalena fueron algo distintos pero aun as, bastante exactos. Las tiras de comprobacin dieron malos resultados, no se pueden comparar con la exactitud de la fenolftalena y los medidores electrnicos. Mira los Consejos Tcnicos para aprender sobre el uso y el mantenimiento de los medidores de pH electrnicos. El aceite de buena calidad que no est demasiado usado ni sobre calentado no requiere una valoracin muy exacta, pero
si el aceite est muy usado (contiene muchos AGL), la exactitud es ms importante. Cuantos ms AGL contenga ms exacta debe ser la medida. Tambin harn falta ms reactivos, pero la cantidad de biodiesel obtenida ser menor.
Fenolftalena
La fenolftalena suele confundirse con el rojo de fenol que se aade al agua de las piscinas. Son dos productos distintos, y el rojo de fenol no sirve para valorar aceites usados porque su rango de medida no es lo bastante amplio. Cambia desde el amarillo, con pH 6,8, hasta el rojo, con pH 8,2, pasando por el naranja. En la valoracin el rango debe llegar hasta 8,5. La fenolftalena es incolora hasta pH 8,3, entonces se vuelve rosa(magenta), y roja cuando el pH alcanza 10,4. Si se mantiene rosa durante ms de 10 segundos el pH es de 8,5. Con aceites de buena calidad y pocos AGL puedes usar rojo de fenol en la valoracin, pero con aceites muy cidos no es lo bastante preciso. Es mejor utilizar solucin de fenolftalena al 1%.
Comparacin entre la fenolftalena y el medidor electrnico

Cul es mejor? Hay muchos argumentos al respecto. Esto es lo que escribi en la lista de correo de los biocombustibles un qumico llamado Jim MacArthur, que ensea qumica en Three Rivers Community College en Poplar Bluff, MO: " Puedo hacer algunas aclaraciones desde un punto de vista qumico sobre el uso de la fenolftalena y los medidores digitales en la valoracin. " Cuanto ms dbil es un cido, ms cuidado hay que poner en la eleccin del indicador qumico (como la fenolftalena), ya que el cambio de pH es mucho ms lento que en la valoracin de un cido fuerte. La fenolftalena es el indicador ms usado para valoraciones de cidos fuertes porque su cambio de color es fcil de reconocer. Afortunadamente parece que su rango de cambio de color coincide con el punto de equivalencia de los AGL (cidos Grasos Libres).
" La dificultad consiste en saber cual ser el punto de equivalencia. Depende del tipo de aceite y del grado de hidrogenacin. No creo que cambie mucho, pero cambia. Para medir un pH alrededor de 8 9, la fenolftalena sirve igual de bien que el medidor electrnico, no obstante, es mejor el medidor electrnico. " Por varios motivos la fenolftalena puede que no funcione tan bien como un medidor electrnico en algunos casos, pero en otros s. Es algo que debe elegir cada uno." -- Jim MacArthur, junio de 2005
Cantidades grandes de AGL

La mayora de las veces la valoracin del aceite da 3-4 ml, pero algunos aceites son mucho ms cidos. Hemos visto valores horribles de 9,6 ml. "Horribles" porque los AGL no son buenos para ti; es muy mala idea ir a comer a un restaurante que reutiliza el aceite hasta dejarlo en tan mal estado. Otro productor de biodiesel nos habl de un aceite que daba en la valoracin 16 ml (una cosa negra y espesa). Conseguimos hacer biodiesel a partir de aquel aceite de 9,6 ml. No es fcil procesar un aceite como ese con el mtodo alcalino de una sola etapa. La mitad de las veces se consigue slo un 50% de biodiesel (puede que no de muy buena calidad), y el resto de las veces una pasta inservible. Puedes obtener buenos resultados si lo haces todo muy bien. Nosotros conseguimos una produccin del 75% con el mtodo de una sola etapa, de buena calidad y fcil de lavar. Antes de empezar el aceite debe estar muy seco. En aceites muy cidos incluso una cantidad de agua muy pequea puede ser muy perjudicial porque hay mucha ms leja con la que puede reaccionar, y la misma reaccin produce ms agua. Lo mejor es usar el mtodo cido-base de dos etapas o mtodo infalible, que neutraliza los AGL y tiene un buen rendimiento usando cantidades pequeas de reactivos. Adems el producto final es fcil de lavar. Tambin puedes desacidificar el aceite.
Desacidificar el aceite usado

En el tratamiento comercial del aceite se utiliza NaOH para neutralizar los cidos Grasos Libres (AGL) y convertirlos en jabn (reaccin de saponificacin). Luego se separan el jabn y el aceite en una centrifugadora, pero hay otro mtodo ms sencillo que no necesita centrifugado. Usa la cantidad de NaOH que indique la valoracin -- por ejemplo, 9,6 gr por litro de aceite para nuestro aceite de 9,6 ml (mira ms arriba). Mezcla el NaOH con 40 ml de agua por litro de aceite. Al mezclarlos la mezcla se calienta. Utiliza un recipiente de acero inoxidable, haz la mezcla al aire libre (removiendo)ten cuidado! Es un lquido muy corrosivo, toma todas las precauciones, ten cerca un grifo. Cuando el NaOH se haya disuelto totalmente mezcla esta disolucin con el aceite (a temperatura normal) y agita con cuidado hasta que estn perfectamente mezclados. hazlo todo despacio y con precaucin. Deja que repose toda la noche para que el agua y el jabn se hundan hasta el fondo. Filtra el aceite para quitar el jabn. No hace falta filtrarlo muy bien, servir una malla fina de acero (como un colador para caf). Hazlo con cuidado. Ahora procesa el aceite usado como si fuera aceite nuevo, con 3,5 gr de NaOH por litro de aceite, pero con 25% de metanol, a 55C (130F), revolviendo bien. En nuestras pruebas conseguimos un buen producto, la produccin fue del 80%. Con un aceite tan cido como este es mucho ms fcil rebajar la acidez que tratar de hacer el biodiesel directamente, y con este aceite es mejor no tener que usar ese metxido tan corrosivo que hace falta en el mtodo directo. 13,1 gr de leja por litro de aceite, o ms bien 13,6 gr (necesita un pequeo exceso de leja). Con aceites muy cidos es mejor utilizar esta alternativa que utilizar directamente el mtodo alcalino de una etapa. La produccin no es tan buena como con el mtodo cido-base, se necesita ms catalizador y se forman ms subproductos, pero es un mtodo rpido y sencillo. Tambin es conveniente que rebajes la acidez si ests haciendo etilsteres (usando etanol en vez de metanol) porque el proceso de los etilsteres no funciona bien si el resultado de la valoracin es de 2 ml o ms.
Como con todos los procesos nuevos, empieza con una prueba pequea, por ejemplo de un litro de aceite. Ten cuidado al hacer la mezcla; si agitas demasiado no se producir la separacin. Si agitas demasiado y no se separa prueba calentando la mezcla y ten ms cuidado la prxima vez. El residuo que queda despus de desacidificar se llama "soapstock". Una vez terminado el proceso puedes mezclar el soapstock con la glicerina para separar la glicerina de los AGL. El "soapstock" puede usarse para hacer jabn o se puede convertir en jabn de calcio, que no es soluble en agua. Es muy til. Si se aade una cantidad equimolar de cloruro de calcio directamente al soapstock pronto empieza la precipitacin del jabn de calcio, dejando una solucin relativamente pura de NaCl. Los jabones de calcio son muy tiles en la industria, por ejemplo, como agentes desmoldantes." -- Reacciones qumicas del aceite, las grasas y los productos grasos -- Neutralizacin (tratamiento qumico) http://alfa.ist.utl.pt/~fidel/creac/sec34b.html Mezcla cloruro de calcio con un poco de agua (cuidado, que se calienta, no salpiques) y chalo en el "soapstock", poquito a poquito, agitando, hasta que precipite el jabn de calcio.
Cmo evitar la valoracin

Hay tres formas de evitar la valoracin: 1. Usar el mtodo base-base en dos etapas; 2. Usar el mtodo cido-base en dos etapas, o mtodo "infalible" ; 3. Hacer una serie de pruebas aumentando la cantidad de leja cada vez y comparar los resultados. Puedes empezar con 6 gr de leja por litro (3,5 gr para la transesterificacin y 2,5 gr para neutralizar los AGL). Si el resultado es perfecto, ya sabes cuanta leja tienes que usar. Si no, haz ms pruebas, con 5 gr, y luego con 7 gr; si es mejor, por ejemplo, con 7 gr, prueba con 6,5 y con 7,5 gr, y contina haciendo pruebas hasta que el resultado sea satisfactorio. Consulta ms abajo: Solucin madre de metxido.
El resultado es satisfactorio si se produce una separacin limpia, quedando arriba un biosiesel claro y sin demasiado jabn y en el fondo los subproductos, con un buen porcentaje de produccin y, lo ms importante, que se pueda lavar bien sin formar espuma. Hay una corriente de opinin que mantiene que la valoracin no es necesaria, que basta con usar 6,25 gr por litro. No les hagas caso! Puede que lo hayan hecho siempre as y que hayan recorrido ya 20.000 millas sin problemas, pero 20.000 millas no son nada en la vida de un motor diesel. Los aceites cambian mucho de un sitio a otro. Puede que esa fabulosa "fuente estable de suministro" no sea tan estable, a no ser que sea una factora de procesado de alimentos con un mtodo de trabajo estndar, es decir, un restaurante donde se cocinan exactamente el mismo nmero de comidas idnticas exactamente de la misma manera todos los das. En ese caso es una fuente estable. A veces, los que prefieren no hacer valoraciones argumentan que los mtodos de dos etapas de Aleks Kac no necesitan la valoracin, ya que se basan en una cantidad media de 6,25 gr de leja por litro de aceite. Pero los procesos de dos etapas funcionan de otra manera, no se puede aplicar esa cantidad media al proceso de una sola etapa. De hecho incluso con los procesos de dos etapas es preferible hacer la valoracin, aunque slo sea para saber cmo es el aceite que se est utilizando. Tambin argumentan que Mike Pelly dice que normalmente hacen falta entre seis y siete gramos de leja, pero Mike tambin dice que la valoracin es el paso "ms crtico" del proceso: "Haz tu valoracin tan exacta como puedas." y: "Es buena idea hacer la valoracin varias veces para comprobar que el resultado es correcto." Mike dispone de un suministro estable de aceite usado, pero comprueba sus caractersticas cada cierto tiempo, ya sea con valoraciones o con lotes de prueba.
La cantidad bsica de leja 3,5 gramos?

Esa es la cantidad de leja (NaOH, hidrxido de sodio) necesaria para la transesterificacin de 1 litro de aceite nuevo, sin usar. Para los aceites usados la valoracin determina la cantidad de leja necesaria para neutralizar los cidos grasos libres (AGL), y esa cantidad se suma a la cantidad bsica de
3,5 gr por litro. 3,5 gr es una medida emprica, una media. Hay diferencias entre unos aceites y otros (oliva, maz, girasol), incluso dentro del mismo tipo puede haber diferencias segn dnde y cmo se haya cultivado. Otras personas usan 3,1 gr, 3,4 gr y hasta 5 gr. Segn nuestra experiencia, para la mayora de los aceites nuevos y los que estn poco usados, es decir, poco cidos (resultado de la valoracin menor de 2-3 ml), es suficiente con 3,5 gr. Con los aceites ms usados, que son ms cidos, usa ms leja; 4,5 gr en vez de 3,5 gr. Haz pruebas para ver cul es la cantidad ms adecuada. Cada tipo de aceite necesita una cantidad distinta de metanol. Consulta Cunto metanol? para ver los aceites y grasas que necesitan ms metanol (coco, almendra de palma, sebo, manteca, mantequilla) Con estos aceites hay que usar ms leja de lo normal, ms de 4,5 gr, aunque estn sin usar, y especialmente cuando ya estn usados. Para averiguar la cantidad exacta debes hacer lotes de prueba
Preparacin del metxido

Consulta Metxido, el mtodo sencillo. Puedes usar el mtodo sencillo con garrafas de HDPE de cuatro galones o recipientes similares con tapn de rosca. Primero mete el metanol y luego aade la leja gradualmente. Revuelve con un palo movindolo de lado a lado, sin sacudir de arriba abajo. Si revuelves mucho y frecuentemente, puede que la mezcla est lista mucho antes de 24 horas. Pero no la uses hasta que se haya disuelto TODA la leja. Si el recipiente es translcido podrs ver la leja que quede en el fondo sin disolver. Nosotros hacemos la mezcla en una garrafa de HDPE. Usamos una bomba de acuario para transvasar el metxido al reactor a travs de un tubo de plstico transparente, sin fugas de gases. Limpio, seguro y sencillo. De la misma manera introducimos el metanol en la garrafa. Para saber qu es el HDPE consulta Identificacin de los plsticos
Solucin madre de metxido

Es til tener una solucin madre de metxido para hacer lotes de prueba, usando una cantidad distinta de leja en cada prueba. En vez de medir pequeas cantidades de leja, prepara una solucin madre de metxido con un litro de metanol y cincuenta gramos de leja. Despus puedes diluir la cantidad de metxido que necesites para cada prueba. Si ests haciendo pruebas de medio litro con el 20% de metanol, debes medir de la siguiente manera: Si el resultado de la valoracin fue, por ejemplo, de 3 ml, necesitars 3 + 3,5 gr de leja (la cantidad bsica) para la reaccin; eso son 6,5 gr por litro de aceite. Para medio litro de aceite sera necesario 3,25 gr de leja y 100 ml de metanol al 20%. Es fcil calcular que 65 ml de solucin madre contienen 3,25 gr de leja. Mide 65 ml de metxido y mzclalos con 35 ml de metanol puro para conseguir 100 ml (20%). Para una prueba de 6 gr/l de aceite hacen falta 60 ml de solucin madre, mzclalos con 40 ml de metanol puro para hacer 100 ml. Para una prueba de 7 gr/l mide 70 ml y mzclalos con 30 ml de metanol puro. Se hace igual para todas las cantidades restantes. Te has perdido? Para una prueba de medio litro de aceite y 6,5 gr de leja por litro, divide 6,5/2 = 3,25 gramos. La solucin madre es un litro de metanol con 50 gr de leja. Para calcular la cantidad de metxido que necesitas multiplica 1.000 ml (un litro) por 3,25 y divide entre 50. El resultado es 65 ml. Para tener 20% de metanol calcula el 20% de 500 ml (medio litro), que es 100 ml. 100 ml-65 ml = 35 ml, tienes que aadir 35 ml de metanol puro a los 65 ml de solucin madre para conseguir 100 ml que contengan 3,25 gr de leja, que equivalen a 6,25 gr por litro de aceite, con 20% de metanol. Una vez preparado, el metxido no dura eternamente, pero se conserva bien varias semanas. No hagas demasiado de una vez. Un litro es suficiente para una docena de pruebas. Si sospechas que se ha estropeado no lo uses y haz ms. Cuando vuelvas a hacer metxido pon lo que quede del metxido viejo. (Gracias a Todd Swearingen de Appal Energy.)
La valoracin del pobre
Este mtodo consiste en colocar hasta media docena de frascos de 1/2 litro, todos del mismo tipo, poner 200 mililitros de aceite en cada uno, agregar metxido de diferentes concentraciones a cada uno y observar las reacciones. La manera ms sencilla de alterar las concentraciones es preparar una solucin madre de metxido. Mezcla bien una solucin madre de 20 gramos de NaOH con 400 ml de metanol. Como el volumen de aceite de 200 ml es 1/5 de un litro, hay que reducir proporcionalmente el volumen usual de metanol del 20%, a 40 ml. Sin embargo, es preferible reducirlo a slo 50 ml para asegurar que no falte alcohol. Por ejemplo, para ver qu harn 6,5 gramos de NaOH por litro de aceite al resultado de la reaccin, hacen falta 1,3 gramos de NaOH para una cantidad de 200 ml (6,5 dividido por 5 = 1,3). La solucin madre es de 20 gramos de NaOH por cada 400 ml de metanol: es fcil calcular que 26 ml de la solucin madre de metxido contendrn 1,3 gramos de NaOH (400 x 1,3 / 20 = 26). Combina 26 ml de la solucin madre de metxido con 24 ml de metanol puro (= 50 ml). Con muestras de 1/5 de litro, esa cantidad es exactamente lo que queremos, la misma proporcin como 6,5 gramos de NaOH para un litro de aceite. Numera los seis frascos idnticos del 1 al 6. Para este ejemplo, contendrn el equivalente de 5 gr, 5,5 gr, 6,0 gr, 6,5 gr, 7 gr y 7,5 gr de NaOH puro por litro de aceite procesado. Tendrs 1/5 parte de un litro de aceite/grasa en cada frasco (200 ml), con 50 ml de metanol, sin embargo, cada frasco tendr una concentracin diferente de leja, en un rango desde 5 a 7 gramos. Calcula las proporciones de metanol puro y de las soluciones madre de metxido para cada una de las muestras como en el prrafo anterior. Aade las siguientes cantidades a cada muestra: 1) 20 ml de solucin madre + 30 ml de metanol puro (5,0 gr/ lde aceite) 2) 22 ml de solucin madre + 28 ml de metanol puro (5,5 gr/ litro de aceite) 3) 24 ml de solucin madre + 26 ml de metanol puro (6,0 gr/ litro de aceite) 4) 26 ml de solucin madre + 24 ml de metanol puro (6,5 gr/ litro de aceite) 5) 28 ml de solucin madre + 22 ml de metanol puro (7,0 gr/ litro de aceite)
6) 30 ml de solucin madre + 20 ml de metanol puro (7,5 gr/ litro de aceite) Cuando todas las muestras de metxido estn preparadas, mzclalas con el aceite en sus respectivos frascos numerados, cierra bien todas las tapas y agita vigorosamente el contenido de cada frasco 50 veces. Repite la agitacin varias veces durante un perodo de 10 minutos. Deja reposar las muestras. Es mucho mejor que durante el reposo estn en un bao de agua poco profundo a 49C (120 F). Fjate. La razn para usar frascos exactamente iguales es que as pueden compararse mejor, y las conclusiones son ms exactas. Si es posible, pasa el contenido de los frascos a cilindros graduados de 250-500 ml, para una comparacin ms precisa. La cantidad apropiada de leja puede estimarse razonablemente segn el volumen de la capa de glicerina que se forma en cada muestra. Elige la muestra en la que se haya formado ms glicerina. Para ajustar la cantidad exacta de NaOH haz otras dos pruebas, una con 0,25 gr ms que la muestra elegida, y otra con 0,25 gr menos. Digamos que fue con la muestra de 5,5 gramos, haz tres pruebas ms; para 5,25 gr, 5,50 gr y 5,75 gr. ( Gracias a Todd Swearingen, de Appal Energy)
Cunta glicerina? Por qu no est slida?

Los principiantes que hacen biodiesel por primera vez en ocasiones creen que lo han hecho mal porque la glicerina no est slida. Estos mensajes fueron enviados a la Lista de correo de los biocombustibles: "Durante el fin de semana hice biodiesel por primera vez, a partir de aceite usado. Qued una capa de glicerina en el fondo del recipiente, pero no se
ha endurecido, todava es lquida a temperatura ambiente (24 horas despus). Ha salido algo mal?" "La glicerina que obtuve con mi primera prueba es ms lquida que la melaza a temperatura ambiente. Por qu es tan lquida? La informacin de que dispongo sugiere que debera estar slida, o casi slida, a temperatura ambiente." Otros piensan que "no sali" porque no consiguieron "suficiente" glicerina:
Hecho hace 20 minutos, todava se est separando.
"Hice una primera prueba con tres litros de aceite usado y 600 ml de metanol, y slo quedaron 350 ml de glicerina. No s qu pensar, pero un 10% del total no me parece suficiente." "Anoche hice biodiesel. La valoracin dio 2 ml, as que mezcl 5,5 gr de leja con 200 ml de metanol. Despus calent un litro de aceite y lo mezcl con el metxido durante 15 20 minutos. Enseguida empez a separarse el biodiesel, y al cabo de 15 minutos la parte ms cercana a la superficie estaba bastante clara. Por la maana slo haba en el fondo 125 ml de glicerina. No debera haber al menos 200 ml? Haba dos capas, la superior (biodiesel), turbia y de color claro, y la inferior (glicerina), de color oscuro. Dnde estn los 75 ml de glicerina que faltan?" En los cuatro casos anteriores todo sali bien. No hay una cantidad fija de glicerina, y ninguna norma dice que tenga que estar slida a temperatura ambiente. Lo ms importante en los cuatro casos es que hubo una buena divisin. La glicerina se hundi hasta el fondo y el resto, si siguieron las instrucciones rigurosamente, era buen biodiesel. Despus del reposo y el lavado, ya se puede usar. Todo est bien, preocupaos por cosas ms importantes.
cunta glicerina?
Por regla general se forman 79 ml de glicerina por cada litro de aceite usado (7,9%). La glicerina pura no es slida a temperatura ambiente, pero la "capa de glicerina" no es slo glicerina, es una mezcla de glicerina, jabones, metanol sobrante y catalizador (leja). La cantidad vara segn el aceite (cuanto ms usado, ms impurezas), el proceso (menos con el mtodo cido-base de dos etapas) y la cantidad de metanol sobrante (la mayor parte se hunde hasta el fondo).
Por qu no est slida?

La capa de glicerina queda slida por los jabones que estn mezclados con ella. Los jabones que se forman a partir de grasas saturadas son ms espesos que los que proceden de grasas insaturadas, por eso la solidificacin de esta capa depende del tipo de aceite. Consulta Cunto metanol? para ver la composicin de los distintos aceites. Lo ms importante es la cantidad de jabn; cuanto ms jabn, ms probabilidades de que la mezcla quede slida, sin importar el tipo de aceite. Otros factores:
q
q q
El exceso de metanol hace que la capa de glicerina sea ms delgada el exceso de leja produce un exceso de jabn Cuando se usa hidrxido de potasio (KOH) la capa de glicerina es un poco ms delgada que cuando se usa hidrxido de sodio (NaOH)
Consulta: Glicerina
Mezclas en botes de plstico PET

No es un buen mtodo para hacer biodiesel. Es til para demostraciones, aunque hace que el proceso parezca ms simple de lo que es en realidad. Los botes de plstico PET son botes transparentes para bebidas, normalmente de 1/2, 1 2 litros. PET quiere decir PoliEtileno Tereftalato. Consulta Identificacin de los
plsticos. As es como se hace: calienta el aceite, mtelo en la botella con un embudo, aade el metxido de sodio (preparado previamente), enrosca el tapn y agita el bote vigorosamente 40 veces. Despus de una hora de reposo estar listo. Puede que salga o puede que no. Con este mtodo rudimentario el xito es cuestin de suerte. Este otro mtodo es mejor: calienta el aceite hasta 55 C (131 F). Introdcelo en el bote, aade el metxido y pon la tapa. Agita 40 veces o ms y djalo en un bao de agua a 55 C durante dos horas agitando cada cinco minutos. La temperatura debe ser constante todo el tiempo. As es ms probable que salga bien. Consulta Descripcin del proceso. O mejor construye un mini-reactor para pruebas. Greg Yohn, que invent esta tcnica, Steve Spence y otros expertos que la han usado durante aos, coinciden en afirmar que SLO sirve para hacer demostraciones. Utiliza aceite nuevo, y haz una prueba en privado antes de arriesgarte a hacerlo en pblico. En una demostracin no importa si la reaccin no se completa y quedan restos. El objetivo es que el biodiesel y la glicerina se separen claramente para demostrar que la reaccin se produce. Con este mtodo solamente demuestras que el proceso funciona, NO produces combustible.
Comprobacin de la viscosidad
La viscosidad es un indicador comparativo muy til para comprobar la calidad del biodiesel, pero slo sirve para comparar unos lotes con otros y saber cual es mejor y cual es peor. Incluso en los laboratorios y en la industria la viscosidad por s sola no dice si la reaccin se ha completado antes de alcanzar el equilibrio, es decir, que no quedan en el combustible cantidades perjudiciales de substancias que no han reaccionado. La viscosidad de los monoglicridos y los diglicridos es muy similar a la del biodiesel, y quedan disueltos en l si la reaccin no se completa. Las concentraciones mximas permitidas son pequeas: menos de 1% para los diglicridos y menos de 0,4% para los monoglicridos. Las pruebas de viscosidad tienen una precisin del 5%, que no es suficiente. Lo mismo ocurre con
la densidad (medicin de la gravedad especfica). Ni siquiera las dos pruebas juntas (viscosidad y densidad) pueden indicar si la reaccin se ha completado. El nico mtodo que permite saberlo es la cromatografa gaseosa, que no est al alcance de cualquiera. El mejor indicador de que se ha completado la reaccin es el lavado. El producto final debe ser cristalino y fcil de lavar. Consulta Descripcin del proceso. Sin embargo la viscosidad es un indicador til, especialmente para los lotes de prueba. Puedes comprobar la viscosidad con una pipeta de 100 ml y un cronmetro; mide el tiempo exacto que tardan 100 ml de tu biodiesel en salir de la pipeta. Tambin puedes utilizar un medidor de viscosidad. Si queda metanol en el combustible las medidas no son correctas, por eso es imprescindible lavarlo antes de medir. Comprueba la viscosidad del diesel ordinario para compararla con la del biodiesel. Recuerda que la viscosidad depende de la temperatura; mdela varias veces a distintas temperaturas. Para obtener ms informacin mira Aqu las tablas de las especificaciones de calidad. Aleks Kac dio este consejo a un miembro de la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles que intentaba hacer funcionar la caldera de su casa con biodiesel: La viscosidad cinemtica se mide en "Stokes". No puedes medirla en casa sin un viscosmetro. Hay un mtodo comparativo, sin embargo. Elige un lquido de viscosidad conocida (combustible para calefaccin, por ejemplo. Averigua su viscosidad en un manual de ingeniera). Pon un volumen conocido dentro de una botella de plstico con una pajita de beber pegada a la tapa, atravesndola (la pajita debe salir de la tapa hacia fuera). Voltea la botella y cronometra el tiempo que tarda el lquido en llegar al extremo de la pajita. Haz lo mismo con tu biodiesel (con el mismo volumen que antes) y compara los resultados. Cuanto ms estrecha es la pajita ms exactas son las medidas. Si tu muestra de biodiesel tarda en caer 1,5 veces ms que la muestra de control (el combustible para calafaccin), eso quiere decir que la viscosidad de tu muestra es aproximadamente 0,6 veces mayor que la viscosidad de la muestra de control. -- Aleks Kac, 6 de noviembre de 2001 Mide la gravedad especfica pesando un determinado volumen
de combustible. Recuerda que el volumen tambin depende de la temperatura. Un litro debera pesar alrededor de 880 gr a 15,5C. Consulta control de calidad.
Descripcin del proceso

Qu significan "complecin" y "equilibrio"? Los aceites vegetales y las grasas animales son trigliccidos (TGs), compuestos por tres cadenas de cidos grasos unidas a una molcula de glicerina (mira el diagrama de la seccin siguiente). Los triglicridos son steres. Los steres son cidos (los cidos grasos) unidos a un alcohol (la glicerina, que es un alcohol pesado). El proceso de transesterificacin convierte los steres triglicridos en steres alcalinos (biodiesel) mediante un catalizador (la leja) y un alcohol (normalmente metanol, que da metilsteres). En la transesterificacin la molcula de triglicrido se divide en tres molculas de metilster y una de glicerina. La leja rompe los enlaces que unen a los cidos grasos con la glicerina, la glicerina se hunde hasta el fondo del recipiente y las cadenas de cidos grasos se unen al metanol. En esta reaccin hay tres partes. Primero una cadena de cido graso se separa del triglicrido y se une al metanol formando una molcula de metilster; queda un diglicrido (dos cadenas unidas a la glicerina). Luego se separa de la glicerina otra cadena de cido graso, que se une al metanol formando la segunda molcula de metilster, dejando un monoglicrido. Finalmente el monoglicrido se convierte en metilster por sustitucin de la glicerina por metanol. Cuando termina esta ltima etapa se produce la complecin, es decir, se completa la reaccin (conplecin = fin de la reaccin). El problema es que pueden acabarse los reactivos antes de que se complete la reaccin, o puede que la temperatura, la agitacin o el tiempo de espera no sean los adecuados. El resultado es que quedan en el biodiesel restos sin convertir o parcialmente convertidos. Entonces, qu pasa si no se ha
completado la reaccin? El aceite vegetal es un buen combustible de todas formas, el problema no es el aceite que no ha reaccionado si no las molculas que han reaccionado a medias dejando diglicridos y monoglicridos, que no son buenos para el motor. Los diglicridos no arden bien y dejan restos requemados que atascan los conductos y los monoglicridos producen corrosin y otros problemas. "Parece que para un funcionamiento ptimo del motor es necesario mantener las cantidades de glicerina, mono- y diglicridos por debajo de 0,1%." (conferencia internacional sobre la estandarizacin y el anlisis del biodiesel, sesin 2, "interaccin entre el motor y el combustible", Viena, 6-7 de noviembre de 1995) -- From "Analytical Methodologies for the Determination of Biodiesel Ester Purity -- Determination of Total Methyl Esters", NBB Contract #:520320-l, Richard W. Heiden, Ph.D., R. W. Heiden Associates, 27 de febrero de 1996 http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/reports/ gen/19960227_gen-221.pdf Por eso es importante hacer bien el biodiesel, y si vas a hacerlo mal es mejor que NO LO HAGAS y utilices el aceite como combustible directamente (que tambin tiene sus inconvenientes). En realidad el proceso nunca se completa al 100% porque antes de completarse alcanza el equilibrio; siempre queda cierta cantidad de glicridos sin reaccionar. Los distintos estndares nacionales para el biodiesel estipulan las cantidades mximas de glicridos permitidas: algunos estndares dicen que la cantidad de diglicridos debe ser inferior a 0,4% en masa, otros que esa cantidad debe ser inferior a 0,1%. La cantidad de monoglicridos debe ser inferior a 0,8% en masa. Al principio la reaccin es muy rpida, por eso algunos creen que basta con revolver un poco y queda listo. Se equivocan. Primero la mitad de los triglicridos se convierte en diglicridos (luego en monoglicridos y finalmente en biodiesel), luego se convierte la mitad de lo que queda, y luego otra vez la mitad de lo que queda hasta que queda una cantidad nfima. La velocidad de la reaccin disminuye progresivamente y nunca se completa del todo. Al final la cantidad de glicridos es insignificante y cumple con los lmites fijados por los estndares de calidad.
Consulta Kinetics of Palm Oil Transesterification in a Batch Reactor, De D. Darnoko y Munir Cheryan, universidad de Illinois, para saber qu ocurre realmente durante la reaccin.(archivo acrobat, 72 Kb) Puedes producir biodiesel de muy buena calidad si lo preparas con cuidado y atencin. El biodiesel producido por personas sin preparacin ni equipos especiales, usando los mtodos que se describen aqu, es tan bueno como el biodiesel comercial que venden las empresas. Los mecnicos profesionales se sorprenden del buen estado de los motores que usan biodiesel. T tambin puedes hacerlo. Consulta Calidad. Mensaje enviado a la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles por un comerciante de biodiesel de EE.UU.: "Actualmente comercio con biodiesel producido industrialmente en Atlanta, GA. En los dos ltimos aos he comprobado que la calidad de ese combustible vara mucho. Es gracioso que uno de los principales argumentos de la industria contra el biodiesel casero sea su supuesta mala calidad. Hasta ahora, el biodiesel que yo produzco, y el de otros productores caseros, siempre ha sido mucho mejor que el "combustible" producido industrialmente con el que comercio. Los particulares que producen a pequea escala se preocupan de hacerlo bien, le dedican tiempo y tienen mucha destreza... despus de todo, la mayora lo usa en sus propios coches, en vez de venderlo." Los principiantes deben empezar con buenos hbitos: sigue las instrucciones cuidadosamente, s meticuloso con la valoracin, asegrate de que tus medidas sean muy exactas, aprende tanto como puedas. Pronto tendrs experiencia, y entonces, cuando conozcas bien todos los aspectos del proceso, podrs decidir qu es lo mejor en tu situacin, dependiendo de tu presupuesto y del origen de tu aceite. Despus podrs tomar atajos bien calculados basndote en tu propia experiencia. NOTA: Es un error frecuente pensar que la viscosidad del biodiesel es menor que la del aceite porque la transesterificacin acorta las cadenas de cidos grasos. Eso no es cierto. La molcula de biodiesel es ms pequea y ms simple. La transesterificacin convierte una molcula de
aceite de tres cadenas en tres molculas de biodiesel de una cadena, pero la longitud de las cadenas no vara. Los cidos grasos que forman el biodiesel son los mismos que forman el aceite del que procede y no son modificados por la transesterificacin.
Qu son los cidos grasos libres(AGL)?
Molcula de aceite -- grfico de Jeff Welter
Las grasas y aceites (de las que procede el biodiesel), sean de origen animal o de origen vegetal, son triglicridos compuestos por tres cadenas de cidos grasos unidas a una molcula de glicerina. Los cidos Grasos Libres (AGL) son cidos grasos que formaban parte de los triglicridos, y se han desprendido dejando diglicridos, monoglicridos y glicerina. Esto ocurre por el calor, por el agua que contienen los alimentos que se fren en el aceite, o por oxidacin. Cuanto ms se caliente el aceite y ms tiempo se mantenga la temperatura, ms cadenas de cidos grasos se liberarn. La glicerina es un alcohol (glicerol); si tiene alguna cadena de cido graso unida a ella forma un ster. La transesterificacin es la transformacin de un ster en otro sustituyendo el alcohol. En el biodiesel la glicerina es sustituida por metanol o por etanol. La esterificacin es la transformacin en ster de una substancia que no lo es. Los AGL no son steres, pero se convierten en steres por esterificacin cida en la primera etapa del proceso cido-base de dos etapas. Esa reaccin no se produce en la transesterificacin alcalina de una etapa (que es el mtodo ms utilizado). En este segundo mtodo hay que neutralizar los AGL para evitar que el biodiesel sea cido y de
mala calidad. En la transesterificacin hay que usar un exceso de leja para convertir los AGL en jabones, que se hunden hasta la capa de subproductos. Esa capa, que suele llamarse "capa de glicerina", a veces tiene ms jabn que glicerina. En la transesterificacin la cantidad bsica de leja acta como catalizador. La leja rompe los enlaces de los steres y el alcohol se hunde hasta el fondo, quedando una cadena de cido graso. El metanol y el etanol se unen a la cadena con ms facilidad que la glicerina y eso evita que la glicerina vuelva a unirse a la cadena. El resultado es que se forma un nuevo ster donde el metanol (o el etanol) sustituye a la glicerina. Por eso es importante usar la menor cantidad posible de leja. La leja sigue rompiendo los enlaces de los steres, incluso los del biodiesel. Si sobra mucha leja rompe los enlaces del biodiesel. Algunos de esos enlaces se unen a la leja y forman jabn, pero otros se unen a una molcula de agua y forman nuevos AGL que quedan disueltos en el biodiesel. Esa formacin excesiva de AGL se llama "acid number" en el ASTM de EE.UU. y en otros estndares nacionales de calidad. Es inevitable que se formen algunos AGL; si sobra leja se forman muchos ms de lo normal. Segn los fabricantes de equipos de inyeccin de combustible (Delphi, Stanadyne, Denso, Bosch), los AGL pueden corroer los equipos de inyeccin de combustible, obturar los filtros y dejar sedimentos. Alguna de esta informacin es de Todd Swearingen (Appal Energy) y de DieselNet/Ecopoint Inc. http://www.dieselnet.com/
Por qu mtodo debo empezar?

Hay tres formas de producir biodiesel: Mtodo alcalino de una etapa -- Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base de dos etapas -- Aleks Kac Mtodo cido-base de dos etapas -- Aleks Kac Cul es la diferencia?
El mtodo alcalino de una sola etapa es el mejor para empezar. Los procesos en dos etapas son complicados, no para principiantes; primero aprende bien lo ms bsico. El mtodo alcalino de una sola etapa es el original, y todava el ms empleado. Es el ms simple, especialmente para aceites nuevos que no necesitan valoracin. Muchos principiantes quieren intentarlo con aceites usados, pero no se atreven porque la valoracin les parece demasiado difcil. En realidad es bastante sencilla, basta con seguir las instrucciones. Sin embargo, con el mtodo de una sola etapa cuanto ms cido sea el aceite ms impredecible ser el resultado y menor ser la produccin de biodiesel. El mtodo base-base de dos etapas no requiere valoracin y da buenos resultados incluso con aceites muy cidos. Es el ms adecuado para las grasas animales. Cada da se utiliza ms el mtodo cido-base de dos etapas, especialmente con aceites muy cidos. Estos son algunos de los motivos:
q q q
q q
Necesita menos catalizador. Se forma menos jabn. Aumenta la cantidad de biodiesel porque se forma menos jabn. Se forma menos emulsin durante el lavado. Se pierde menos combustible en el lavado porque se forma menos emulsin. Como hay menos jabn hace falta menos agua para el lavado. En el lavado hace falta menos cido para neutralizar la leja. Cuando se recupera la glicerina hace falta menos cido para neutralizar la leja. El producto final es de muy buena calidad.
Inconvenientes:
q
Hace falta un poco ms de tiempo.
Incluso con aceites muy cidos la produccin puede llegar al 100% en volumen, o ms (la densidad del biodiesel es menor que la del aceite).
Funciona igual de bien con aceite nuevo. Mucha gente que prueba este mtodo con aceites muy cidos decide luego usarlo con todos los dems aceites. Este es un consejo de Aleks Kac para usar el mtodo cidobase: "Sigue las instrucciones al pie de la letra. Han sido necesarios dos aos de pruebas y errores para desarrollar este mtodo. No lo cambies, no modifiques ni quites nada. Funciona con todos los aceites vegetales, aunque estn muy usados. Las grasas slidas no deben llegar al 50% por la baja temperatura en la etapa cida. Mejor que el contenido de grasas animales sea menor del 25% para el cerdo y el pollo y menor del 10% para la ternera. Estas grasas se procesan mejor con el mtodo base-base de dos etapas." Con todo, si tu aceite est en buenas condiciones y la valoracin da 3 ml o menos puedes conseguir buenos resultados con el mtodo de una sola etapa.
Por qu no puedo empezar con el mtodo cido-base?

As comienza la pgina Proceso cido-base : "NOTA: Los procesos en dos etapas son complicados, no para principiantes; primero aprende bien lo ms bsico. Debes comenzar con el mtodo alcalino de una sola etapa. Empieza aqu." 'Empieza aqu' es un enlace a Cmo empezar. Algunos principiantes no hacen caso e intentan el mtodo cido-base. A veces tampoco hacen caso del consejo de la seccin que trata sobre los lotes de prueba: "Cuando intentes un nuevo mtodo empieza con pequeas pruebas de un litro o menos para familiarizarte con el proceso antes de intentarlo con cantidades mayores." Con demasiada frecuencia el desmoralizador resultado es de cuarenta galones de pasta inservible. "No funciona!", se quejan. S funciona si sigues los consejos de aquellos que lo han hecho antes que t."HAZ LO QUE TE DICEN Y TENDRS XITO", escribio un principiante en la lista de correo de los biocombustibles. "No parece difcil en absoluto, de hecho parece ms fcil porque no es necesario comprobar la acidez. Qu me estoy
perdiendo?" Pierdes mucho. Primero, nosotros pensamos que merece la pena hacer la valoracin aunque no sea imprescindible. Cuanta ms informacin tengas, mejor. Evitar el aprendizaje de cmo se hace la valoracin es un motivo MUY MALO para elegir el mtodo cido-base. La valoracin es una tcnica bsica para la produccin de biodiesel. En realidad es bastante fcil: Valoracin sencilla Valoracin mejorada Segundo, el problema no es si los principiantes pueden hacerlo o no, algunos lo consiguen, pero es una pena porque no lo hacen tan bien como lo haran si hubieran aprendido desde el principio. El mtodo cido-base es muy flexible, la gente lo modifica y lo adapta a sus nedesidades y preferencias, pero para hacerlo hay que tener un conocimiento profundo del proceso en su conjunto, no slo de este mtodo. Otro principiante dijo en la lista de correo de los biocombustibles que saba mucho de qumica y poda saltarse las primeras explicaciones sencillas, pero... "Bueno, mi primera prueba est hecha, aunque el resultado no es muy bueno". De repente se vio sumergido en un ocano de variables, y no pudo saber qu haca mal hasta que comprendi los detalles del proceso. Una respuesta: "Te voy a explicar por qu no debes empezar por aqu. Si tuvieras ms experiencia sabras cmo aplicar las instrucciones de produccin a gran escala a la escala reducida de tus experimentos. Puede que todo se haga igual o puede que no. Yo no s a qu velocidad gira tu mezclador ni si mezcla bien los ingredientes del biodiesel, pero t tampoco lo sabes y por eso tienes problemas. Comenzando con el mtodo alcalino de una etapa y aceite nuevo hay menos variables y el aprendizaje es una sucesin lgica. Ahora te enfrentas a un nmero excesivo de variables sin la experiencia necesaria para manejarlas todas. Es muy fcil que te equivoques porque no puedes comparar tus resultados con ninguna experiencia anterior."
Recapacit y comenz desde el principio, procesando un litro de aceite nuevo con el mtodo alcalino de una etapa. "Aunque me lo han estado diciendo de distintas maneras, no lo he comprendido hasta ahora. Slo entenda que hay que comenzar aprendiendo el proceso de una etapa antes de intentar el proceso de dos etapas. Eso es aprender a hacer algo de una manera y luego hacerlo de otra forma totalmente distinta, no tiene sentido." "... Qu me estoy perdiendo?" Una respuesta: "Si todo sale bien, nada. El problema llega cuando algo falla y no tienes NI IDEA de lo que est ocurriendo porque no conoces las posibles variaciones del proceso o ni siquiera el proceso elemental. "...Qu es esa cosa blanca? ... No parece que est ocurriendo nada ... hay una capa extraa, me pregunto si ser biodiesel... etc" Otra respuesta: "Puedo opinar sobre esto desde la perspectiva del principiante. El mtodo alcalino de una etapa con aceite nuevo tiene un gran valor didctico. Te da una idea de cmo debe ser el resultado final, y esta prueba ayuda a comprobar la calidad del proceso. Todava estoy jugando con las variables (tiempo de proceso, % leja, % metanol, etc.) con aceite nuevo antes de probar con el aceite usado. La calidad del proceso es muy importante, y parece que lo mejor es aprender paso por paso. Yo tambin planeo utilizar el mtodo cido-base en dos etapas con aceites usados, pero tengo mucho que aprender antes de conseguirlo. Creo que lo que intentan decirnos es que solucionar los problemas que puedan surgir en un proceso ms complejo es extremadamente difcil (y puede que frustrante) si no se han aprendido bien los conocimientos bsicos. Buena suerte con tus experimentos!" El desenlace:
"Despus de leer los enlaces de los grupos de discusin que me enviaste he comprendido que lo ms importante es conocer a fondo el proceso alcalino de una etapa empezando con aceite nuevo, probar despus con el aceite usado e ir aumentando la escala hasta llegar a una produccin completa. Slo entonces podr cambiar al mtodo en dos etapas, sabiendo que el resultado ser un biodiesel lo bastante limpio y puro para funcionar en mi coche." Correcto! Despus de todo, sois t y tu cocina contra ExxonMobil, y la cocina gana tu combustible es el mejor! Para qu buscar atajos? Hazlo bien desde el principio.
Biodiesel en motores de gasolina

El biodiesel sirve como aditivo en motores de gasolina. Ha dado buenos resultados, pero an es experimental, sin garantas. Biodiesel en motores de gasolina de dos tiempos: Mucha gente ha usado el biodiesel como sustituto del aceite lubricante en motores de gasolina de dos tiempos. El miembro de la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles Martin R., de Australia, lo usa en su sierra mecnica en una proporcin de 1 parte de biodiesel por 20 partes de gasolina. "Funciona perfectamente", dice. "Durante 2,5 horas seguidas de uso la sierra no me dio ningn problema, qued impresionado." El miembro Franklin Del Rosario, de Manila (Filipinas), produce biodiesel para su moto: "En Filipinas el biodiesel se emple para lubricar motores de gasolina por primera vez cuando alguien le aadi un espesante y lo vendi como sustituto del aceite para taxis de tres ruedas en las afueras de Manila. "El biodiesel, puro o mezclado con aceite como aditivo, funciona mejor que el aceite lubricante mineral, segn los conductores que lo han probado. Ahora sus motores funcionan con ms suavidad y menos ruido que antes, el bloque del motor no se calienta, mejora el rendimiento, ya no se carbonizan los cilindros, no gotea aceite del tubo de escape y no
sale humo. "Utilizo biodiesel B100 como lubricante para mi Yamaha de dos tiempos y 125 cc de 1983 en vez del aceite Shell 2T que usaba antes. Mezclo biodiesel con gasolina en una proporcin de 1:20. Cambi los tubos de caucho, la junta del carburador etc., lav el depsito de combustible y cambi las bujas. Ahora el sonido del motor es suave y sale menos humo. "La Yamaha estaba jubilada porque con el aceite mineral produca mucho humo. Con biodiesel como lubricante funciona mejor y hecha menos humo. La llev al centro de anlisis de emisiones y super la prueba con mejores resultados que una moto nueva usando aceite mineral. Estos fueron los resultados: Emisiones de la moto CO2 -- 2,90 % CO -- 3,39 % HC -- 5396 ppm O2 -- 13,29 % AFVR -- 20,95 LAMBDA -- 1,44 Lmites fijados por el estndar CO2 -- 20,00 % CO -- 6,00 % HC -- 10.000 ppm LAMBDA -- 1,00 +/- 0,99 Resultado: aprobado "La propiedad principal del aceite lubricante no es la viscosidad, sino que se mezcla bien con gasolina manteniendo su lubricidad (forma una capa de aceite sobre el metal) para reducir el desgaste de las piezas del motor. El biodiesel tiene bastante lubricidad para cumplir esa funcin, y puede mejorarse aadiendo aceites aditivos compatibles para aumentar la resistencia de la capa de biodiesel. "El biodiesel arde en presencia de un 11% en masa de oxgeno. Esta propiedad ayuda a que la gasolina arda mejor, se reducen las emisiones y desaparecen el mal olor y los restos de aceite." -- Franklin Del Rosario,
enero del 2004 Biodiesel en motores de gasolina de cuatro tiempos: El miembro Gregg Davidson escribi: "En junio de este ao plante una pregunta sobre "biodiesel en motores de gasolina". Me respondi JC, de Taipei. Me inform de que l haba mezclado biodiesel con gasolina para su coche sin usar ms que un 15% de biodiesel. He tenido xito siguiendo su consejo; ningn problema en el motor. Lo he probado en tres vehculos; uno de ellos es una furgoneta Chrysler Town & Country mini van con un motor 3,3 L V-6, los otros dos son Jeep Grand Cherokees con motores 4,0 L I-6. Aunque la furgoneta puede funcionar con E-85, no hago mezclas con etanol porque el E-85 no est disponible en el Estado de Georgia." -- Gregg Davidson, octubre de 2004 Franklin Del Rosario escribi: "Me complace informar a nuestro grupo sobre el uso de mezclas de biodiesel y gasolina en motores de gasolina de cuatro tiempos. La empresa para la que trabajo tiene una flota de coches, la mayora de ellos japoneses (Nissan, Toyota y Honda). Convenc a uno de los conductores para que mezclara 200-300 ml de biodiesel con 50 litros de gasolina. "Elegimos un Nissan Cefiro que produca un olor nauseabundo e irritaba los ojos y la nariz al arrancarlo y al pararlo. Ech 200 ml de biodiesel en el depsito y arranqu. Despus de unos minutos el olor del humo empez a desaparecer, y al final del da ya no ola nada y el motor sonaba mucho mejor porque el biodiesel lo estaba lubricando. Otros conductores probaron en coches de Honda. Los resultados inmediatos fueron la desaparicin de los olores y la aparicin de marcas visibles de condensacin de agua en los tubos de escape, como si los coches fueran nuevos. "Utilic biodiesel como aditivo anti-desgaste en el motor de gasolina de cuatro tiempos de una moto y el resultado fue el mismo. "Un amigo mo tiene un Toyota de gasolina. Tena que
renovar el permiso de circulacin del coche, y era un problema porque sala mucho humo; uno de los requisitos para la renovacin es medir las emisiones contaminantes. En Filipinas los coches tienen que pasar las pruebas de emisiones establecidas por el gobierno. Le anim a que probara el biodiesel como aditivo. Sigui mi consejo y luego llev el coche al centro de pruebas; obtuvo un buen resultado. Estndar de emisiones CO % (V) -- 3.5 HC (ppm) -- 600 Emisiones del coche CO % -- 1.25 HC (ppm) -- 278 Resultado: aprobado "El empleo de biodiesel como aditivo en motores de gasolina es muy prometedor." -- Franklin Del Rosario, enero de 2004
Otros usos
Tratamiento de la madera. El biodiesel es un producto muy til. "Quemarlo es una locura" Dijo una vez Mike Pelly medio en broma. Es carpintero y acaba de reformar su casa con interiores de madera. l y su esposa trataron la madera con biodiesel, incluso los suelos. El olor desapareci pronto (de todas formas no es un olor desagradable), y los resultados fueron buenos. Nosotros tambin lo hemos probado. Es un buen lubricante, mejor que los lubricantes domsticos, no es desagradable ni txico. Si un nio traga un poco por accidente no le ocurre nada grave. Es perfecto para los jardineros, especialmente para la jardinera ecolgica. No hay nada mejor para engrasar las herramientas y mantenerlas limpias y sin herrumbre, y no es txico. Lo mismo puede decirse para las herramientas de taller. Es magnfico si vives en una antigua granja japonesa con puertas correderas. Tambin sirve como aditivo lubricante para el diesel con poco azufre. En los motores diesel el combustible lubrica las piezas. Los motores diesel actuales duran menos que los antiguos por la falta de lubricidad del diesel con poco azufre (500 ppm), y el nuevo ULSD (ultra-low-sulphur fuel)(15
ppm), pero el biodiesel resuelve este problema. Un 1% de biodiesel mejora la lubricidad un 65%. Las investigaciones sugieren que un 0,4% 0,5% de biodisel en el diesel mineral es suficiente. En Francia es obligatorio que todo el combustible diesel contenga entre 3% y 5% de biodiesel; otros pases estn aplicando medidas similares. Faroles y cocinas: El biodiesel no sube bien por las mechas, como el queroseno o el aceite de quemar, por eso no funciona en muchas de las lmparas y cocinas con mecha. Sin embargo, las pruebas han demostrado que sube por la mecha siete centmetros, pero no ms, y que la mecha debe ser fina (1 cm) y con las hebras no muy apretadas; las mechas comerciales con un trenzado muy apretado no funcionan bien. Puede que el biodiesel no funcione en todos los hornos y cocinas, pero en algunos modelos s, y otros pueden ser adaptados. El farol BriteLyt multicombustible de Petromax funciona bien con biodiesel. "Este farol se mantiene encendido durante ocho horas. Su funcionamiento es magnfico, brilla mucho, y no huele en absoluto; en espacios cerrados no se nota ningn olor." Estos faroles tambin funcionan con etanol. Tienen un accesorio para poder cocinar. http://www.britelyt.com/ Mensaje de tvoivozhd en la lista de correo Homestead: Hace muchos aos tuvimos una discusin sobre los faroles homestead. Yo mencion uno que los exiliados cubanos trajeron consigo porque podan poner encima tres pucheros a la vez para cocinar una comida entera con muy poco combustible, y tambin tener luz por la noche. Tuve uno, de la marca Aida. Se le rompi a mi hija en una excursin y no he podido encontrar otro, aunque ped ayuda a la embajada alemana para encontrar al fabricante.
Los ms parecidos son Petromax y BriteLyt. Este ltimo es Accesorio para el mejor cocinar farol del mundo, el ms brillante, til y econmico. Compr uno con accesorio para cocinar. Funciona con queroseno. Es ms silencioso y ms barato que el Coleman. El queroseno es mucho ms seguro que la gasolina refinada Coleman. El Brite-Lyt es caro, pero s que vale cada penique de los 150$ que cuesta (incluyendo los 50$ del accesorio para cocinar). El mo tiene el quemador ms duradero y fcil de usar que he visto. Tambin tengo uno de esos quemadores Coleman poco efectivos, difciles de montar y de usar, y como no est sujeto al farol es fcil que se pierda. Para los faroles Coleman es mejor comprar un quemador aparte. Hemos estado quemando biodiesel en esta cocina de queroseno durante dos aos. Puedes ver una funcionando aqu. Estas cocinas son corrientes en los pases del tercer mundo, no as en los pases industrializados. La nuestra procede de la India y cuesta 8$. Aqu hay algunas cocinas que puedes comprar por internet, pero no por 8$. Cocina multi-combustible de latn BriteLyt. Es de la misma familia que el farol multi-combustible BriteLytPetromax, que funciona con biodiesel y con etanol. Esta cocina tiene un quemador ajustable con accesorios para precalentamiento y alumbrado, y un indicador de presin. Su peso sin combustible es de 4 libras. Tiene capacidad para aproximadamente 1 qt., 8.000-10.000 BTUs; puede funcionar cinco o seis horas seguidas con combustibles aceitosos. Acabado en latn pulido, latn mate o latn niquelado. Precio: 75$. http://britelyt.groupee.net/stoves.htm
Cocina de latn -- 21 cm de anchura y 19 cm de altura, se desmonta rpido, produce 8.000 btu, funciona con queroseno y con diesel. Disponible en EE.UU. a travs de internet. Precio: 48$. No necesita mecha, tiene capacidad para un poco ms de una pinta de combustible y puede funcionar tres o cuatro horas seguidas sin repostar. http://www.stpaulmercantile.com/buttrfly.htm Cocina de expedicin XGK: "Esta cocina funciona con cualquier combustible: gasolina, queroseno e incluso diesel de mala calidad, por mencionar algunos." http://www.msrcorp.com/prod/prod_stoves1.htm WhisperLite Internationale 600: Cocina de acampada ligera multi-combustible. Funciona con MSR White Gas, queroseno, jet fuel y gasolina. http://www.msrcorp.com/prod/prod_stoves1.htm#4 Optimus NOVA Cocina de expedicin multi-combustible -Tiene capacidad suficiente para preparar comida para dos personas en condiciones extremas. Como es multicombustible encontrars combustible en cualquier parte del mundo. Aproximadamente 2.850 vatios/9.700 BTU. Tiempo de funcionamiento: ms de 2,5 horas con el fuego fuerte (un depsito = 0,45 L /15,5 fl.oz.). http://www.optimus.se/products/nova/ Optimus HIKER Cocina de expedicin multi-combustible -"La cocina del Himalaya". Hiker es una cocina multicombustible, vayas donde vayas encontrars combustible para tu Hiker. No necesita ninguna modificacin para los combustibles comunes (para el alcohol slo hay que cambiar una pieza). Combustibles: queroseno/parafina, gasolina/ petrleo, aceite, diesel, alcohol y combustible Coleman. Aproximadamente 3.000 vatios/10.000 BTU. Tiempo de funcionamiento: ms de dos horas con un depsito (0,35 litros /12 oz.) con el fuego fuerte. http://www.optimus.se/products/hiker/ -- Purificacin de aceites vegetales para usar en faroles: Fixed oils: To Purify Rape Oil.
Mejor que el detergente "Hace dos semanas, mientras haca la colada, encontr la ropa cubierta de manchas de todos los colores. Dentro de la lavadora haba una caja de ceras de colores que se desintegraron. Intent solucionar el problema frotando mucho con detergente lquido, pero las manchas no salan. Luego empap una prenda con biodiesel y todas las manchas salieron en unos segundos casi sin frotar.Pude limpiar toda la ropa sin esfuerzo! "Ech biodiesel sobre las dems prendas y frot con un cepillo de dientes. Los pegotes se desprendieron enseguida y tras un segundo lavado con detergente normal las manchas haban desaparecido. "Tena una camisa con una mancha de tinta en el bolsillo. Ech un poco de biodiesel, frot con un cepillo de dientes, la met en la lavadora, y la mancha desapareci. "Tambin tengo unos pantalones blancos que no he intentado lavar. Quiero que mi hijo se los ponga para ir al colegio, a ver si as aprende a vaciar los bolsillos antes de que le lave la ropa. Los empapar de biodiesel para comprobar si las manchas salen sin tener que frotar." -- k5farms, lista de correo de los biocombustibles, 15 de marzo de 2003 Limpieza de derrames de petrleo -- Tratamiento con CytoSol: http://www.cytoculture.com/process.html "Limpieza de las costas contaminadas", Port Technology International, Londres, 1998 http://www.cytoculture.com/cytosolarticle.htm Transporte que no contamina >> **Renewable Energy Online Newsletter** >> 24 de agosto de 2001 >> http://ens-news.com/ens/aug2001/2001-08-21-01.asp >> Servicio de noticias medioambientales: >> El gobierno europeo apoya el uso de biocombustibles > > <snip> >> porque no producen dixido de carbono. > > "Interesante... ser un combustible basado en el silicio que
produce arena en vez de humo?" > Tom > Nuevo Mxico, USA "Silicio y arena? Cmo se te ha ocurrido? Eres un poco ingenuo. As es como se hace: Atas una zanahoria al extremo de una caa de bamb y pones la zanahoria en un lugar adecuado entre las narices de los yaks y tu destino para que la sigan. No hay emisiones de carbono, slo un poco de metano cuando los yaks tienen gases, pero te acostumbras con el tiempo. Slo puedes utilizar zanahorias cultivadas de forma ecolgica, abonadas con el estircol de los yaks." Keith Addison Journey to Forever
Identificacin de los plsticos

Qu es el "HDPE" que forma los envases para productos qumicos? Cmo identificarlo? Qu productos qumicos resiste cada tipo de plstico? Identificacin de los tipos de plsticos y sus propiedades , American Plastics Council: http://www.americanplasticscouncil.org/benefits/ about_plastics/resin_codes/resin.html Esto ayuda ms an: Identificacin de los plsticos -- Society of Plastics Engineers, Mid-Michigan Section http://www.midmichiganspe.org/education/identification.pdf Compatibilidad qumica -- Chemical Resistance Database, Cole-Parmer: Para buscar selecciona al menos uno de los tres criterios de bsqueda: producto qumico, material o grado de compatibilidad. Para buscar por grado de compatibilidad es imprescindible indicar tambin un producto o un material. http://www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/ChemComp.asp Volver arriba
Biocombustibles
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Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodiesel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodiesel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodiesel (esp) Biodiesel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodiesel en Internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
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Biodiesel resources on the Web: Journey to Forever
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What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is much cleaner than fossil-fuel diesel. It can be used in any diesel engine with no need for modifications -- in fact diesel engines run better and last longer with biodiesel. And it can easily be made from a common waste product -- used cooking oil. For some basic facts about biodiesel see the U.S. National Biodiesel Board's Biodiesel Fuel Fact Sheets (Acrobat files) http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/
Biofuels
Home-made biodiesel
One of the most attractive aspects of biodiesel is that you don't have to be ExxonMobil to make it. Just about anyone can rig up a biodiesel fuel plant in the kitchen, or virtually anywhere, mostly using stuff you can find lying around, including the basic raw material -- waste cooking oil. The best part of it is that what you make is better than the fossil fuels the big guys make: it's cleaner, more eco-friendly, it's cheap, and it's better for diesel engines -- they run smoother and last longer on biodiesel. Make your first test batch of biodiesel -- Start here, and just keep going -- what you need, what to do, how to do it, everything you need to know -- step by step instructions for making high-quality biodiesel fuel, from novice to advanced level. Mike Pelly's biodiesel recipe -- long the most popular biodiesel how-to on the Web.
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_link.html (1 de 12)04/12/2006 11:34:59 a.m.
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Aleks Kac's two-stage process -- high quality fuel and no titration (not for novices). FOOLPROOF biodiesel method -- the method of choice for advanced biofuellers (not for novices). History McDiesel -- Making biodiesel in the kitchen -- the man who started the do-it-yourself biodiesel movement, Dr. Thomas B. Reed, relates how he got the idea of making biodiesel from waste cooking oil ("McDiesel") in 1989, and tells you how to do it. Also see Tom's Biomass Energy Foundation site: http://www.woodgas.com/ Fat of The Land -- In 1994 four women from the California Bay Area travelled 3,000 miles around the US on biodiesel in their Fat Mobile diesel van on an educational tour. They made their biodiesel as they went along, usually in the parking lots of fast-food restaurants, and filmed a groundbreaking video documentary while they were at it. http://www.lardcar.com/lardcar1.html This is the recipe they used to make biodiesel: http://www.dancingrabbit.org/biodiesel/flrecipe.html Fat of the Land Video Documentary: http://www.videoproject.org/FAT_OF_THE_LAND.html

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Biofuels forums
The Biofuel mailing list run by Journey to Forever is an information-sharing resource for anyone who is making their own fuel or has an interest in biofuels or related issues. All aspects of biofuels and their use are covered -- biodiesel, ethanol, other alternative fuels, related technologies and issues, energy issues, environment, sustainability and more. The list has a large and varied global membership and has been at the forefront of small-scale biofuels development for more than six years.
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Comment from a member: "I just want to say how important what you all are doing here is (I'm just an interested bystander). Closed-system fuel production, on a local or small regional scale, tied to local resources, using accessible technologies, and dependent on entrepreneurial innovation combined with opensource information exchange--it's AWESOME. Keep up the good work everyone, before the planet fries." Another comment: "Some of the brightest biofuel brains in the world." And another: "Your list contains some of the best information I have found on the Internet. The archives are great and that is where I spend most of my time acquiring knowledge. This information I believe vitally important NOW and am very happy it is here. Our future may just depend upon it. Now that is important." More:
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"I came to the list strictly interested in getting my biodiesel project off the ground. Following the various postings I have discovered that I see the world as if from the bottom of a well. The view is expanding ever so slightly, ever so slowly. Thanks to all." "The Biofuel list has awakened me to many ways I can directly help make a difference. The knowledge I have gained from reading the list in a few short months has encouraged me to try again." "I benefit very much personally from the list, and I have yet to make one drop of biofuel! But the insights that I get from the list are amazing." "I like the global view. It's good to have your beliefs challenged." "This list has proven to me how little I know, so many times."
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NOTE: You don't need to join the Biofuel list to learn how to make biodiesel. Start here: Where do I start? Follow the instructions, step by step. Study everything on that page and the next page and at the links in the text. It tells you everything you need to know.
Many list members who've done it themselves say the same thing. If you ask novice questions at the list that have been answered many times before, that's what you'll be told (or asked to check the list archives, see below). There's a lot to learn, but it's simple, and you don't have to be a chemist to do it, very few biodieselers are chemists or engineers. Thousands of ordinary people have done this without any other help, and so can you. You don't need anyone to hold your hand, and you don't need to find another biodieseler in your area first so you can see their set-up in action. Do it yourself, you'll be just fine. Subscribe If you have a bona-fide interest in the subject you're welcome to take part or to "lurk" in the background, just as you wish. The list does not welcome "SPAM" or "trolls". If you wish to subscribe, please send an email to the list administrators with a brief explanation (or not-so-brief, as you wish) of who you are, where in the world you live, what your interest is in biofuels and why you wish to join the list, and/or whatever other information you think is relevant. Please note that the Biofuel list is not a newsletter service and not a "website", it is an interactive email discussion group posting from 20 to 50 messages a day or more. If that will "swamp your mailbox", please read this message on how best to handle mailing list traffic: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ msg21651.html Once they've joined the list, members can also select the "Daily Digest" option to receive one or more composite messages containing all the day's messages. Biofuel list administrators' address: listadmin@journeytoforever. org The List Rules are posted here: http://snipurl.com/mx7r Browse current messages at the list website: http://sustainablelists.org/pipermail/biofuel_sustainablelists.org/
The Biofuel Archives Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives -- 60,000+ entries from discussions by biofuellers all over the world over the last six years, a treasure trove of information on all aspects of biofuels and sustainability: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ Spanish Biofuels mailing list -- Foro sobre biocombustibles en castellano: http://es.groups.yahoo.com/group/foro_biodiesel/ The Bioenergy Mailing List at CREST (Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology), for the discussion of biomass as a sustainable energy resource. Searchable hypertext archives. http://www.crest.org/discussiongroups/index.html DieselNet General Forum: http://www.dieselnet.com/ubb-cgi/Ultimate.cgi "Express your opinions and ask questions on diesel engine emission issues. Discuss current news" -- active Web forum, news and other resources at DieselNet's homepage: http://www.dieselnet.com/
Straight vegetable oil

See Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel
Ethyl-esters biodiesel
Making ethyl-esters biodiesel using ethanol is a tricky process, not as simple as making methyl esters with methanol. It's not for novices -- learn how to make biodiesel with methanol first. Methods and recipes for ethyl-esters biodiesel are available here, along with a How-To from a master home-brewer who has been making and using his own ethyl-esters biodiesel for years. See: Ethanol biodiesel
Biodiesel information sources

The US National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is a "not-for-profit
corporation dedicated to the commercialization and industrialization of biodiesel". It represents agribusiness interests and its members are large-scale commercial producers. It sees small-scale, local operations and homebrewers as a threat, and there are quality-control issues. http://www.biodiesel.org/ The NBB maintains one of the best technical databases on biodiesel research (searchable): http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/ Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives -- 65,000 entries over six years from discussions by biofuellers all over the world, a treasure trove of information on all aspects of biofuels: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ The University of Idaho's http://www.uidaho.edu/bae/biodiesel/ biodiesel pages -- "Pioneers in Biodiesel Research", University of Idaho researchers have been studying vegetable oil as an alternative fuel since 1979, including long-distance (200,000 miles) on-the-road tests. Slide show, current projects and findings, publications list: see "On-Road Testing of Biodiesel". http://www.uidaho.edu/bae/biodiesel/research/past_research.html The Biodiesel Development Corporation has lots of information on biodiesel -- what-is, why's and wherefore's on biodiesel and using it. http://pipeline.to/biodiesel/ Biodiesel Emissions Analysis Program, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, US EPA http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/biodsl.htm A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions, October 2002 (765kb PDF) http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/analysis/biodsl/p02001.pdf Research on biodiesel since 1992 by a leading researcher, Leon G. Schumacher of the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Missouri. http://web.missouri.edu/~pavt0689/biofuel.html Some reports are downloadable. Reference List for Biodiesel -- 55-page A-Z of biodiesel
research studies and reports, Iowa State University. 520kb Acrobat file: http://www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel/Documents/ Biodieselreferences.pdf Technical Handbook for Marine Biodiesel In Recreational Boats by Randall von Wedel, Ph.D., CytoCulture International, Inc., Second Edition, April 22, 1999 (prepared for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy) -- of general interest, not just for boaters, 12,000-word online report. http://www.cytoculture.com/Biodiesel%20Handbook.htm Chemical and Bioassay Analyses of Diesel and Biodiesel Particulate Matter: Pilot Study -- Final Report by Norman Y. Kado, Robert A. Okamoto and Paul A. Kuzmicky, Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California, November 1996. This is the UC Davis study that found that the use of pure biodiesel instead of petroleum-based diesel fuel could offer a 93.6% reduction in cancer risks from exhaust emissions exposure. Full report -- Acrobat file, 3.1Mb. Summary: the Summary, Results and Discussion sections of the report, in html format. The modelling of the biodiesel reaction -- As part of their work to design continuous reactor for the production of palm-oil methyl ester, Michael Allen and Gumpon Prateepchaikul at the Energy Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand produced a spreadsheet modelling the complex series of reversible reactions which take place during the biodiesel production process. You can use the spreadsheet to change one parameter in the process and see how it affects the others. Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines, 2004 (version 2) K.Shaine Tyson, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 68 page Acrobat file, 1.7 MB http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/tp36182.pdf Biodiesel Production Technology, 2002-2004 Van Gerpen, Shanks, Pruszko, Clements, Knothe, National Renewable Energy Laboratory -- 110 pages, Acrobat file, 1.4Mb: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/36244.pdf
Biodiesel Analytical Methods, 2002-2004, Van Gerpen, Shanks, Pruszko, Clements, Knothe, National Renewable Energy Laboratory -- 100 pages, Acrobat file, 1.4Mb: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/36240.pdf Terry de Winne's Biofuels for Sustainable Transport site focuses on UK Government Policy. Terry -- alias Terry UK -- or Terry de Winne MF, to give him his full title, was awarded a Millennium Fellowship for his research into electric vehicles and biodiesel. http://www.biofuels.fsnet.co.uk/ Sustainable Transport Fuels -- good roundup of the various contenders, with the focus on biodiesel and lots of wellannotated resources: http://www.biofuels.fsnet.co.uk/sustain.htm The British Association of Bio Fuels and Oils (BABFO) is dedicated to the promotion of transport fuels and oils from renewable sources. Biodiesel and ethanol are the two key fuels. Resources and links, information on emissions, and more: http://www.biodiesel.co.uk/ The Austrian Biofuels Institute -- an international centre of competence for liquid biofuels http://www.biodiesel.at/index2.html The Biodiesel Association of Australia has been established "to promote and build a viable and ecologically sustainable biodiesel industry in Australia". FAQ, what-is, news & press, standards, documents, getting it, making it, events, and more. http://www.biodiesel.org.au/ The Castor Oil Resource -- "The Only Online Bookmark Youll Ever Need for Anything Castor". Good resources on castor oil and castor oil biodiesel, as well as general biodiesel and biofuel resources. http://www.castoroil.in/ Determining the Influence of Contaminants on Biodiesel Properties, Jon H. Van Gerpen et al., Iowa State University, July 31, 1996 -- 12,000-word report on contaminants and their effects -- good reasons to wash your biodiesel. Acrobat file, 2.1Mb Dealing with high levels of Free Fatty Acids (FFA): first stage
alkaline reaction, second stage acid-based reaction -- "Cost Reduction in Bio-Diesel Production", B. Rice, A. Frhlich and R. Leonard, Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, Carlow, Ireland. http://www.teagasc.ie/research/reports/crops/4321/eopr-4321.htm Methylation of fatty acids, William W. Christie, Scottish Crop Research Institute: Three interesting papers online: Preparation of methyl esters -- Part 1. Lipid Technology, 2, 4849 (1990). Preparation of methyl esters -- Part 2. Lipid Technology, 2, 7980 (1990). Why I dislike boron trifluoride-methanol. Lipid Technology, 6, 66-68 (1994). http://www.lipidlibrary.co.uk/topics/methests/ DieselNet's Diesel Emissions Online says the "diesel engine is the most efficient power plant among all known types of internal combustion engines", but "further progress in diesel emission control is needed". It hopes to "contribute to the development of the clean diesel engine of the future". News, resources, research reports, discussion forum. http://www.dieselnet.com/ Griffin Industries of Kentucky, USA, processes used vegetable oils and fats to produce 2 million gallons per year of the "highest quality biodiesel available in the United States". Their Website has useful comparison tables of biodiesel with conventional petrodiesel fuel. http://www.griffinind.com/html/biodiesel.html Comparison of Transport Fuels -- Final Report (EV45A/2/ F3C) to the Australian Greenhouse Office on the Stage 2 study of Life-cycle Emissions Analysis of Alternative Fuels for Heavy Vehicles, by Tom Beer, Tim Grant, Geoff Morgan, Jack Lapszewicz, Peter Anyon, Jim Edwards, Peter Nelson, Harry Watson & David Williams -- CSIRO in association with The University of Melbourne, the Centre for Design at RMIT. Parsons Australia Pty Ltd and Southern Cross Institute of Health Research. http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/index.html Part 1 provides a summary of the salient points of each fuel, Part 2 consists of detailed chapters on each fuel. Executive Summary (Acrobat file 186Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/ execsummary.pdf
Part 1 Biodiesel - (Acrobat file 36Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/1ch4. pdf Part 2 Biodiesel - (Acrobat file 347Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/2ch4. pdf Bibliography of Water-Fuel Emulsions Studies -- A list of studies that are being considered for inclusion in work being done by EPA to assess the effects of water-fuel emulsions on emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM) (including 23 studies of diesel water-fuel emulsions). Acrobat file, 12kb. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/analysis/emulsion/emulbibl.pdf Emulsions of Hydrated Ethanol in Hydrocarbon Fuels, by Apace Research Ltd - Executive Summary of report for Australia's for the Energy Research and Development Corporation (ERDC) -- reports on hydrated ethanol/diesel fuel emulsion, or "diesohol", and hydrated ethanol/petrol emulsion. http://www.eidn.com.au/energyerdcemulsions.htm
Government sources
The US Government has various websites dealing with alternative fuels, biofuels and biodiesel, offering useful information and resources. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the U.S. Department of Energy's premier laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development and deployment. http://www.nrel.gov/ NREL: Nonpetroleum Based Fuels - Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/renewable_diesel. html NREL Database Search: http://pix.nrel.gov:8020/BASIS/nich/www/public/SF The Alternative Fuels Data Center -- Biodiesel http://www. eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/biodiesel.html Search the Alternative Fuels Data Center document database of more than 3,000 documents:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/resources/doc_database.html View a listing of new documents recently added to the database: http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/new_docs.cgi Biofuels information from the US Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Biofuels Research Program -- main focus on biodiesel and ethanol: Production and Use of Biofuels, Production of Raw Materials (Crops), Economic Research, Market Research, Pros and Cons, Getting Started in Biofuels, Funding Opportunities, News and Events, Links. http://www.nalusda.gov/ttic/biofuels/res.htm Biodiesel Emissions Analysis -- the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Transportation & Air Quality Biodiesel Emissions Database, January 25, 2002 -download as a 275kb Excel file or a 284kb Acrobat file. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/biodsl.htm The EEC strongly supports biofuels -- do a search on biodiesel here: http://europa.eu.int/geninfo/query_en.htm Biofuels -- European Commission Subprogramme on Energy (ENERGIE) http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.html UK HM Revenue & Customs FAQ on Biofuels -- Biodiesel and SVO use, definitions and duties http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/ channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel =pageExcise_FAQs&propertyType=document&columns =1&id=HMCE_PROD1_024771#P9_869
Education
Please see the resources on biodiesel for students and teachers at our Schools projects pages
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers
Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Do diesels have a future? Journey to Forever
Do diesels have a future?

Should the "dirty diesels" be scrapped once and for all in favour of cleaner technologies? There are those who think so, especially in the US -- but maybe they just haven't been paying attention. There's no such confusion in Europe, for instance.
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Diesel engines power 37% of all new cars sold in Europe (62% in France), with the share predicted to rise to 45% by 2005 -- but fewer than 1% of new American cars have diesel engines.
An Oldsmobile diesel -- the notorious 5.7-litre 350 cubic inch GM diesel engine gave diesels a bad name in the US.
One reason is the poor quality of diesel fuel sold in the US. A 1998 report on fuel lubricity worldwide found that diesel fuel sold in the US and Canada is some of the poorest quality fuel in the world. Fully 50% of the US fuel was found to be below the standards recommended by equipment manufacturers. http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/Lubricity.PDF Big Oil has dragged it's feet in cleaning up diesel fuel in the US. Europe started producing cleaner, low-sulfur diesel fuel in 1990; the US plans to follow in 2006. And the new generation of clean diesels either can't meet the US emissions standards on the dirty US fuel, or they can't even use it. But they run just fine on biodiesel, with very low emissions. For a possible view of the future, we have to look to the past. The Elsbett engine -- the 3-cylinder SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) diesel motor designed by the late Ludwig Elsbett, was a highly advanced true multifuel engine, and the forerunner of all DI diesels made today. Details: http://www.elsbett.com/ gd/eteche.htm More detail (in German): http://www.elsbett.com/gd/etech.htm News article about a Mercedes fitted with the amazing Elsbett engine (120kb graphic file). Diesel motor development is very advancing rapidly, with tremendous improvements in efficiency, economy, performance and emissions -but not, as yet, in the direction of true mutlifuel motors that can run on petroleum diesel fuel, biodiesel, SVO, or any combinatioin of the three
Biofuels
Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_future.html (1 de 16)04/12/2006 11:35:15 a.m.
Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Heaters, burners, stoves
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without modification and under full manufacturer's warranty. This is what the fast-growing international biofuels community is pushing for. Meanwhile, there are signs of change in increasing use of diesels in the US: "Panel tells EPA no technical problems getting sulfur out of diesel fuel" -- Washington, Associated Press, October 30, 2002: There are no technical problems that should prevent refiners from producing nearly sulfur-free diesel by 2006 when new requirements for the cleaner fuel go into effect, an advisory panel told the Environmental Protection Agency. The report by an independent review panel, whose members included both oil industry representatives and environmental advocates, concluded "there are no technological impediments" to refineries reducing the amount of sulfur in diesel from the current 500 parts per million to 15 parts per million. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/science/ 20021030-1438-cleandiesel.html "Clean-Air Czar of California Shifts to Accept Diesel Engines -- In Controversial TurnAround, Regulator Sees Diesel as Alternative in Global-Warming Fight" -- The Wall Street Journal, October 24, 2002: For years, Alan Lloyd has regarded diesel as a dirty word, synonymous with brown haze and cancer-causing black soot. It's a view he has shared with environmental activists across the U.S. But in a striking change of heart that could alter the kinds of cars and trucks Americans drive, the chairman of the powerful California Air Resources Board is taking a new look at diesel vehicles. He thinks they're poised to emerge as part of the solution to a different environmental problem that's gaining more attention in the U.S.: global warming... Here, diesel engines are the greener option because they don't pump out as much so-called greenhouse gas as gasoline engines do... Dr. Lloyd says he has concluded that a new generation of high-tech diesels developed for Europe bear little resemblance to the smoke-spewers that Americans remember from the 1970s and 1980s. http://forums.biodieselnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=294 See Diesels in the US "First Test: 2002 Ford Focus Tdci; Diesel-powered Pocketrocket" -- Motor Trend (August 2002): Ford's 1.8L turbo-powered Focus isn't sold in the United States. That could change. Oil-burning Foci like this one -- borrowed from Ford's Scientific Research Laboratory in

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Dearborn, Michigan -- have been wowing Europeans for a year. Future California emission laws for particulates and oxides of nitrogen are posing stiff problems for the lab types. They say they have catalysts and other solutions that'll work, but only if the sulfur content in U.S.-spec diesel fuel is substantially reduced. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/wagon/112_0208_focus/index. html "There is no argument anywhere in the auto industry that more lowsulfur diesel fuels are needed to help bring cleaner, advanced, directinjection diesel engines to market in the United States." -- "The Debate Over Diesel", by Warren Brown, Washington Post, September 6, 2002 http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename= article&node=&contentId=A45702-2002Sep6&notFound=true "According to studies by both J.D. Power and Associates and the Diesel Technology Forum, roughly one third of Americans would consider a clean diesel, if given the option," says Kurt Liedtke, CEO of the Robert Bosch Corporation. He said by increasing The Opel Eco-Speedster diesel market share from one to 40%, sports car prototype: The 1.3the US will achieve $9 billion annual litre Ecotec Diesel engine savings in oil consumption; average produces 112 hp, giving the fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon car a maximum speed of more (CAFE); greater independence from than 155 mph, and fuel foreign oil sources; and 5 million consumption of 94 mpg (US), metric ton decline in annual 2.5 liters per 100 km. greenhouse gas emissions. -http://www.autointell.com/ "Diesels Are Ready. Why Aren't News-2002/October-2002/ We?" October-2002-1/October-02http://www.boschusa.com/News/ 02-p5.htm ViewNews.asp?NewsType=RA&ID=0 See: Diesel engine, as a "ready for use" energy saving technology -- by Hakan Falk at Energy Saving Now. http://energy.saving.nu/biofuels/dieseltech.shtml "Super Diesels!", Ward's Auto World, September 1, 2001 http://industryclick.com/magazinearticle.asp?magazineid =50&releaseid=8418&magazinearticleid=118355&siteid=26 "European policymakers have recognized the environmental advantages of diesel, and have allowed new diesel vehicles to prove themselves as efficient, quiet and powerful alternatives. In America, growth in the market share of light-duty diesels would vastly reduce fuel consumption, foreign oil imports and greenhouse-gas emissions... Most

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interests in the auto industry -- in the US and abroad -- are beginning to wonder aloud if we, and the Bush Administration, do indeed have our priorities in order... With all things considered -- including customerpleasing performance -- if the US ignores high-technology diesels in favor of its current fascination with HEV technology, we probably aren't backing the right horse... "... PSA Peugeot Citroen has in production for the 607 HDI a silicon carbide honeycomb filter that accumulates particulate matter for between 200 and 300 miles (480 km), then the accumulated particulates are oxidized by injecting a small amount of fuel and a rare-earthderived additive called Eolys to superheat the exhaust and burn off the particulates. The Eolys tank holds 1.3 gallons (5L) and requires refilling every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or so. It is claimed to eliminate 95% of particulate emissions. "Volkswagen AG is working on a novel 'engine-based' approach leveraging complex chemical and catalytic reactions to achieve the nearzero particulate emissions. And supplier and automaker R&D operations are running full-tilt to perfect prototype NOx-reduction technology like Toyota's promising Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction (DPNR) catalyst, which also employs advanced chemical/catalytic processes to scrub out the last vestiges of diesel emissions nastiness..." (6,500-word article) "Diesel engines could help US beat fuel crunch if feds wake up" -- Diesel engines, the hottest auto trend in Europe, are being regulated out of existence in the United States. -- Detroit News, 22 May, 2001 http://detnews.com:80/2001/autos/0105/22/b01-226787.htm "Diesel will drive the 21st Century", says biodiesel fuel producer Southern States Power Co, reporting a worldwide change from petrol engines to "much more efficient" diesels. "The near-term future of transportation will be defined by new diesel technology." http://www.sspowerco.com/ World's Fastest Pickup -- And It's A Diesel! Gale Banks's Sidewinder pickup passed through the speed traps of the Bonneville Salt Flats at 222.139 mph on Oct. 19, 2002. Banks's Dodge Dakota is powered by a modified 2003 5.9-liter Cummins turbodiesel straight Six that produces 735 hp and more than 1300 ft.-lb. of torque. http://popularmechanics.com/automotive/ motor_sports/2002/11/worlds_fastest_pickup/ Gale Banks Engineering in Azusa, Calif.:
http://www.bankspower.com/Banks_Sidewinder/ sidewinder-news.cfm DieselNet's Diesel Emissions Online says the "diesel engine is the most efficient power plant among all known types of internal combustion engines", and discusses "the clean diesel engine of the future". http://www.dieselnet.com/ Leading the way: Volkswagen 1liter Concept -- the world's first 1liter car uses less than 1 litre per 100 km, 239 mpg. About the weight of a touring motorcycle (290 kg, 639 lb), the 1L seats two, has a single-cylinder 299cc diesel SDI motor, and does 120 kph -- 74 mph. Long, narrow and low-slung, it's a sporty car that's "fun to drive". It was designed in a wind-tunnel, and has the same standards of impact and overturning protection as a GT racing car. VW says it's suitable for everyday use and is "perhaps an indication of a totally new family of cars". The one-cylinder SDI engine has a 6-hole injection jet and pre-injection, two overhead camshafts and three valves, and hightech lightweight construction, weighing only 38 kg (84 lbs) including the starter-alternator. http://www.vwvortex.com/news/index_1L.html http://www.vwvortex.com/news/04_02/04_17/index.shtml The diesel-powered Volkswagen Lupo 3L TDi is one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. It's called the "3L" because its official fuel consumption is below three litres per 100 km -- 94.1 miles per gallon. In 2000 a Lupo 3L went on a globe-trot. It covered 20,699 miles at an average speed of 53.1 mph on daily journeys of between 76 and 478 miles and used only 174.7 gallons of diesel -- an average of 118 miles to the gallon. The best fuel consumption recorded was 141.9 mpg, the worst 100.9 mpg. The Lupo 3L TDi is powered by a 1.2-litre 61bhp three-cylinder diesel engine with direct fuel injection. See "Volkswagen Lupo's record attempt in Australia": http://www.autoweb.com.au/start_15/showall_/ id_VWN/doc_vwg0006011/article.html "Lupo 3L TDi Back In Wolfsburg": http://www.diskdrive.co.za/newsstories/vw_lupo3ltdi.html The Lupo also broke the round-Britain economy record, previously held by a standard Japanese Daihatsu Charade diesel at 103 mpg. Volkswagen engineers are working on a super-economical motor that could go 300 miles on only one gallon of fuel.
Volkswagen's 4-cyl. Golf GTI TDI 150 diesel blows away a lot of sporting cars, propelled by the most satisfying aspect of engine performance -- torque. More torque than a V-6 Jaguar. Diesels have torque in spades. The TDI 150 gets 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km) and goes from 0-to-62 mph (100-km/h) in 8.5 seconds. Diesel power stormed from 14% of European new-car sales in 1990 to 33% last year, and they're expected to hit 50% by 2010. (From "Super Diesels!", Ward's Auto World, September 1, 2001) It Gets 78 Miles a Gallon, but U.S. Snubs Diesel, New York Times, Frankfurt, May 26, 2001 -To judge by the mileage it can get, the Audi A2 sounds like just the kind of exotic hybrid-fuel car that President Bush would want to promote with his new energy plan. The sporty new four-door compact has a top speed of 100 miles an hour. It can travel 78 miles on a single gallon of fuel and emits fewer "greenhouse" gases than almost any other vehicle on the market. Yet the A2 has at its core a technology that generates scorn in the United States: the diesel engine. Diesel engines powered 32.3 percent, or nearly one-third, of all new cars sold in Europe last year, compared with 21.7 percent in 1997. Analysts predict the share will rise to at least 40 percent by 2005. The contrast with the United States could not be more stark. Fewer than 1 percent of new American cars have diesel engines. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/27/business/27DIES.html "More Focus on Diesel", Sacramento Bee, June 1, 2001 -- In Europe, one of every three new cars sold today is powered by clean diesel technology and in the premium and luxury categories, over 70% are clean diesels. But in the US, light-duty diesels account for only about 0.26% of all new cars sold, with only slightly higher figures in the light-duty truck markets. It's completely understandable why clean diesel technology has such a high acceptance in Europe -- the engines provide more power, are more fuel efficient, are more durable, are extremely responsive with low-end torque, and have 30-60% lower greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.dieselforum.org/news/aug_06_2001.html Sacramento Bee http://www.sacbee.com/ "Demand for Diesels: The European Experience -Harnessing Diesel Innovation for Passenger Vehicle Fuel
Efficiency and Emissions Objectives", Diesel Technology Forum (Acrobat file) http://www.dieselforum.org/whitepaper/ downloads/EuropeanExperience.pdf "GM pushes diesel revival" -- Automakers say new engines are cleaner, more fuel efficient. -- Detroit News, 21 May, 2001 http://detnews.com:80/2001/autos/0105/22/a01-226651.htm "Diesel Engines Get Spotlight in Fuel-Efficiency Contest" -New York Times, June 12, 2001 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/12/business/12DIES.html Automakers see potential in diesel, Detroit Free Press, March 5, 2002 -- The diesel engine may have gone out of favor with the U.S. public in the early 1980s, but automakers, faced with increasing regulatory demands for fuel efficiency, are trying to bring it back in vogue. The 2002 Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress was the scene of a lovefest for the inclusion of diesel technology in the discussion of fuel economy and the future of the auto industry. "Modern diesel technology can answer many of the needs of our society," said Nick Scheele, chief operating officer at Ford Motor Co. http://www.auto.com/industry/diesel5_20020305.htm The US government/industry collaboration Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), launched in 1993, was intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by developing ultra-clean, 80 milesper-gallon (34 km/litre) "hypercars" without sacrificing comfort, safety or performance, focusing on cleaner and more efficient diesel engines. General Motors' Precept achieved the mileage goal -- 80 miles per gallon. The car won the Popular Science "Best of What's New" Grand Award for automotive The GM Precept -technology for 2000. The full-size five80mpg with superpassenger sedan was powered by two electric clean diesel-electric motors and a high-efficiency diesel. Its drag power coefficient was just 0.16. GM said the Precept marked the leading edge of technology, and its design would have a strong influence on future cars. See GM's Precept Hybrid Gets 80 MPG: http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/concept_cars/1267946. html Chrysler's stylish Dodge ESX3 lightweight diesel-electric hybrid, part of the PNGV program, combined a direct-injection diesel with an electric motor and an advanced battery to achieve 72 miles per gallon (30 km/
litre). The 5-seater body was made of thermoplastic -- the same cheap plastic used to make soft-drink bottles. Carbon dioxide emissions were 56% lower than a conventional petrol engine, with 50% less Dodge ESX3 particulate matter than a conventional diesel and 70% less nitrogen oxides. Range was 420 miles (672 km). Unlike totally electric vehicles, hybrids have unlimited driving range and never need to be plugged in for recharging. See DaimlerChrysler unveils electric car: http://detnews.com/2000/autos/0002/23/02230070.htm Ford's bid for the car of the future was the P2000 Prodigy 5-seater sedan, an ultra-light diesel-electric hybrid that boosted fuel economy to 63 miles per gallon (27 km/litre) and was expected to qualify as an ultra low emissions vehicle. Part of the PNGV program. The 1.2 litre, direct injection diesel DIATA engine was 35% more efficient than an equivalent petrol engine. "Extremely fuel-efficient", and "A giant advance toward the production of lightweight, environmentally responsible vehicles with outstanding economy and emissions levels". See Ford Hybrid Electric Vehicle is on horizon: http://www.autoworld.com/news/Ford/Ford_Hybrid.htm The costs of the new hypercars came right down from that of the earlier prototypes, but were still higher than production models. Cost of the Dodge ESX3 PNGV diesel hybrid was down to about $27,500 by early 2000. See Super-High-Mileage Car Just a Concept, For Now, Washington Post, August 17, 2001: http://washingtonpost.com:80/wp-dyn/articles/A25087-2001Aug17.html Early in 2002 the PNGV program was axed by the Bush administration, to be replaced with the "Freedom Car" program focusing on hydrogen fuel-cells -- not expected to produce tangible results for a decade or more. See Driving In Circles: New Fuel-Efficiency Initiative Is More PR Than Progress: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/msg10943. html Fool Cells - How Detroit Plays Americans For A Bunch Of Suckers http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/msg20667. html See also the Mokhiber-Weissman review of Jack Doyle's book, Taken for a Ride: Detroit's Big Three and the Politics of Pollution: http://lists.essential.org/pipermail/corp-focus/2000/000031.html
Technology developments arising from the PNGV program, largely paid for by US taxpayers, seem to have vanished. "All told, of the 129 technology achievements and innovations arising from the Precept program, 47 of them are global industry firsts and about 75 percent have some sort of potential core product application. Nearly 40 of those achievements and innovations are in the propulsion system alone," said GM at the time. Shelved, while Americans buy Insights and Prius's from Japan instead, and US fuel economy hasn't improved in more than 20 years. See: A Tale of Two Countries, by David Morris http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17333 It's An ENIGMA, EV World, March 3, 2002 -- Who said you can't build a parallel hybrid with 20 miles ZEV range? Not the team at San Diego State University. A remarkable story of ingenuity, vision and determination that lead to the creation of San Diego State University's 80 mpg Enigma dieselelectric hybrid sports car, running on biodiesel. http://evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=312 San Diego State University College of Engineering Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team: http://www.engineering.sdsu.edu/~hev/text.html JetCar Version 2.5 -- The latest upgrade of the tandem, two passenger JetCar from Germany looks like a fighter but acts like a sailplane, sipping 2.1L/100 km of diesel fuel. http://www.evworld.com/databases/ storybuilder.cfm?storyid=573 In German and English: http://www.jetcar.de Next-generation ultra-clean diesel engine -- "Pointing the Way to the Future of the Automobile": This Isuzu engine more than clears stringent domestic and international diesel engine exhaust emission standards, putting this low-emissions powerplant in the same class as future eco-friendly gasoline engines... This translates into a dramatic, simultaneous reduction of particulate matter (PM) and nitrous oxides (NOx). The DPF and NOx catalytic after treatment assures even further reduction in emissions to alleviate environmental impact. http://www.isuzu.co.jp/world/tms2001/engine.htm The BMW Alpina D10 Biturbo is claimed to be the fastest production diesel in the world with the best
acceleration -- top speed is 254 km/h (touring: 251 km/h) or 159 mph (touring: 157 mph). http://www.alpina.de/english/ automobiles/d10/d10_biturbo_e.htm Onward March of Economical Diesels Is Unstoppable, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Mar. 13, 2002 -- Diesel engines have become fashionable and, thanks to the dedicated progress made on direct injection, are now outstripping gasoline engines in the high-tech stakes. They have also become winners in the luxury segment, enjoying widespread popularity among men and women alike. http://www.faz.com/IN/INtemplates/eFAZ/archive.asp?doc= {58CEF733-A86D-4C4E-87A798A5B2937888} &width=800&height=580&agt=netscape&ver=5&svr=5 Peugeot moves to gain green edge, The Guardian, February 20, 2002 -- PSA Peugeot Citron, Europe's second largest motor manufacturer, is hoping to steal a march on rivals by bringing in the "greenest" diesel engines. The cars will be introduced to the British and European markets next year -- two years before the stringent new regulations on emissions known as Euro IV are due to become law. "This will mean diesel offers a real alternative to consumers as it removes any lingering concerns about particulate issues and capitalises on the fuel consumption and CO2 emission benefits of diesel technology," said Al Clarke of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,653071,00.html 1.4 HDi Peugeot 206: "You would never know it was a diesel," said a British reviewer. "There was no smoke or rattle, just eager performance and a slick gear change, and most incredibly of all, a low fuel consumption of 73.3 mpg." The V6 diesel S-Type Jaguar, due for the showrooms in 2004, has a premium-class 2.7-litre V6 commonrail engine diesel engine developed by Ford/PSA Peugeot-Citroen to challenge BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The new V6 is the industry-first engine built using compacted graphite iron (CGI) technology instead of the conventional cast iron block. Peugeot and Citroen models (including the 807 and C8) will follow, and probably Land Rover and Volvo.
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/firstimp/2003/06/09/story_1.html "IEA Study Sees Clean-diesel As Low-cost, Rational Urban Transportation Strategy" -- World Fuels Today (August 19, 2002) Harrisburg, PA: The International Energy Agency (IEA) this month will release a new study, "Bus Systems for the Future", recommending a more rational approach to urban transport and emissions reduction. Clean-diesel gets a high rating. Rather than pushing high-cost, kneejerk schemes such as compressed natural gas (CNG) buses or high-cost Metro subways as the supposedly "green" universal solution to urban transport problems, IEA's exhaustive study instead finds that cities should take a more cost-effective 'technology ladder" approach to solving clean urban transport problems. The study takes note of the sideby-side cost comparisons done by big transit agencies with lots of real world experience, such as Los Angeles, New York and Paris. These agencies all find that clean-diesel is far more cost-effective than CNG. http://www.greendieseltechnology.com/news140.html "Bus Systems for the Future, Achieving Sustainable Transport Worldwide" 188 pp. (61 02 1 P1) ISBN 92-64-19806-7, Price $US 100 110 http://www.iea.org/public/studies/bus.htm http://www.lmcontrolsystems.com/PowerDrive. htm Lockheed Martin's revolutionary HybriDrive diesel-electric hybrid engine for heavy-duty vehicles -- including urban buses and army trucks -- cuts emissions and fuel consumption. It accelerates faster and smoother and runs quieter than a conventional diesel. "This system is capable of significantly reducing emissions, while improving performance and reducing maintenance costs." See: http://caddet-ee.org/newsdesk/nw398_02.htm The US Army's hybrid diesel-electric "stealth" Humvee moves silently, uses much less fuel than its conventional diesel predecessor and accelerates like a sports car. The vehicle has four 100 hp UQM Technologies permanent magnet motors to provide power to each wheel and a fifth as a generator on the diesel powerplant. It has twice the acceleration and climbing capability of a conventionally powered Hummer. And, like a tank, it can turn around in place by having one or more wheels turn in different directions. http://www.uqm.com/Technologies/programs/hummer.html
General Motors will produce a full-size pickup truck featuring a hybrid powertrain beginning in 2004. GM full-size hybrid pickup trucks, versions of the popular Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, will deliver top performance with nearly 15% better fuel economy. GM and its Allison Transmission Division will begin delivery this year of a "hybrid" powertrain for transit buses. The hybrid bus powertrain was designed and developed by GM Allison Transmission Division based in Indianapolis. The GM Allison system will offer 50% better fuel economy compared with a conventional diesel-engine transit bus. The system also will cut nitrous oxide emissions by 50%, while cutting particulate, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by 90%, when fueled with low-sulfur fuel -- or, better, with biodiesel. http://www.evaa.org/Newsmenu/News_Releases/PR080200/pr080200. html Green Diesel Technology Vehicles Meet EPA Rule For Cleaner Diesel Trucks And Buses -- International and Engine Corporation, July 27, 2001: EPA Deputy Administrator Linda Fisher today recognized the recent certification of International Truck and Engine Corporation for its Green Diesel Technology school buses to be used in California. With this certification the corporation has demonstrated that it is possible to meet the heavy-duty diesel particulate emission standards well in advance of the 2007 model year requirements. http://www.greendieseltechnology.com/news83.html The General Motors Duramax is a lightweight and fuel-efficient engine that signals a new era in light truck design. The turbocharged 6.7-liter engine, the world's most powerful diesel, produces 300 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque, which makes towing a cinch. The direct-injection engine runs so smoothly that it's nearly free of diesel clatter. It is available in the new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 3500-series pickups. http://www.generalmotors.com/company/news_events/ events/chicago00/e/concept/terradyne/function.htm Isuzu Motors will launch a small hybrid truck in 2002. The truck, a two-ton capacity model based on the Isuzu Elf, will be powered by an electric motor and a diesel engine. By using a hybrid-propulsion system, Isuzu hopes to lower emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, and increase fuel-efficiency. Isuzu will share the hybrid technology with General Motors, which owns a 49% stake in Isuzu. BMW to buy Toyota engines -- Tokyo, September 14, 2001: German luxury carmaker BMW has reached a basic agreement with Toyota Motor Corp to buy up to 30,000 diesel engines a year from Japan's biggest automaker. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/12401/story.htm
Isuzu to make diesel engines for Renault -- Tokyo, August 30, 2001: Japan's Isuzu Motors Ltd will supply French automaker Renault SA with three-litre direct fuel injection diesel engines from the start of next year. Renault confirmed that it would outsource production of the engines for use in its Versatis luxury cars due out around the end of the year. Isuzu would supply between 10,000 and 20,000 engines a year for use in Renault's luxury car, capitalising on its expertise in the use of aluminium parts to make the three-litre engines lighter and more efficient. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/12215/story.htm Daimler, Mitsubishi to make eco-friendly engines -- Tokyo, August 8, 2001: Auto giant DaimlerChrysler and its Japanese partner Mitsubishi Motors Corp will jointly develop environmentally friendly diesel engines for medium-sized to large trucks. DaimlerChrysler aims to cut costs and save time in developing diesel engines to meet tightening global emissions standards. Together, the two companies produce 370,000 buses and trucks every year, the most in the world. The venture could also include South Korea's Hyundai Motors. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=11935 See also Diesel motorbikes
Old diesels
But what about the millions of existing "old-tech" diesel vehicles that power the world's transport fleets? Converting them to the clean, new technology will be a slow and costly process -- and meanwhile they'll continue belching clouds of poisons from their exhausts. But diesels are by far the most economical and efficient engines, and the world's transport industries rely on them. Scrapping the diesels would raise the costs of just about everything and make everyone's life tougher. This is where biodiesel and other clean fuels have a role to play -biodiesel can cut diesel emissions now, at no extra cost, and without having to do anything except put it in the tank. US biodiesel producer Southern States Power Co (SSPC) demonstrated biodiesel to Mexico's EPA in January 1999 using an aging 1972 diesel truck that belched black smoke -- typical of the many old heavy-duty trucks in Mexico City. "When the biodiesel fuel reached the engine, the exhaust became clear with no black smoke." The results were "nearly identical to results obtained by the US federal government using similar blends of soybean oil and regular diesel fuel". http://www.sspowerco.com/
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency in the US plans to lower the sulfur levels in diesel fuel from the current 500 parts per million (ppm) to less than 15 ppm. But this will destroy the lubricity of the fuel -- important in diesel engines because diesel engine parts are lubricated by the fuel itself. Only the newest motors will be able to use the new ultra-low-sulfur fuel. This is an opportunity for biodiesel, says executive director of the US National Biodiesel Board Joe Jobe. "Biodiesel is an excellent lubricity additive. Adding one percent biodiesel improves the lubricity up to 65 percent." And biodiesel contains no sulfur. See Biodiesel Development Corporation -Biodiesel: Cost Effective Lubricity Enhancer: http://pipeline.to/biodiesel/
Quotes
"Diesel engines today are 500% cleaner than they were just 20 years ago."-- Chrysler "Pollution from diesel cars has been cut by 80 to 90% over the past two decades."-- Union of Concerned Scientists "Particulate emissions from diesel-fuelled engines have been reduced by 90% over the past decade." -- Engine Manufacturers Association "Direct injection diesel four-stroke engines add up to 12 miles per gallon (5 km/litre) -- or 24% increased efficiency -- over gasoline engines in a large car." -- Chrysler "Compared to a gasoline engine, a direct injected diesel engine reduces carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 56%." -- Chrysler "Today's best diesel passenger vehicles are more efficient than their gasoline counterparts, reducing carbon emissions by roughly 30%." -- Union of Concerned Scientists "The most significant challenge is nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions. Future diesel engines will have to be four to eight times cleaner than they are today." -- Chrysler "Pollution from diesel cars must be reduced another 75 to 90% within the next few years." -- Union of Concerned Scientists "Current (PNGV) design criteria call for an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions compared to current diesels, and a 50% reduction in particulate emissions. This is well beyond current
regulatory requirements." -- former US Vice President Al Gore "Compression-ignition (diesel) direct-injection engines potentially meet regulatory requirements for emissions while maintaining their traditional advantages of reliability, high efficiency, durability, and competitive cost." -- US Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel engine 108 years ago for reasons that would now be called appropriate technology: he conceived it as "a facility, readily adaptable in size and costs and utilizing locally available fuels, to enable independent craftsmen and artisans better to endure the powered competition of large industries that then virtually monopolized the predominant power source -- the oversized, expensive, fuel-wasting steam engine". The original diesel engines ran on vegetable oil (hemp seed and peanut oil). See Rudolf Diesel -- National Inventors Hall of Fame: http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/42.html The clean diesels of the future will also run on vegetable oil. "The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in the course of time as important as petroleum and coal tar products of the present time." -- Rudolph Diesel, 1912 There are still those who claim diesels are outdated technology. Read about what happened to one of them. See also The best car in the world
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine
Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Copyright of all original material on this website is the property of Keith Addison, unless otherwise stated, and may be copied and distributed for non-commercial education purposes only as long as the source of the material is stated and a reference to the Journey to Forever website URL is included (http:// journeytoforever.org/). All material is provided as is without guarantees or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Vegetable oil yields, characteristics: Journey to Forever
Oil yields and characteristics

Vegetable oil yields: -- ascending order -- alphabetical order Other oil crops Oils and esters characteristics Iodine Values -- High Iodine Values -- Talking about the weather -- Summary Hydrogenated oil, shortening, margarine Quality standard for rapeseed oil fuel Cetane Numbers National standards for biodiesel -- standards and the homebrewer -- standard testing Fuel properties of fats and oils Fuel properties of esters Fats and oils -- resources
Site Search
Biofuels
Vegetable oil yields

Biodiesel yield = oil yield x 0.8 approx. Note: These are conservative estimates -- crop yields can vary widely. Ascending order
Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine
Crop corn (maize) cashew nut oats lupine kenaf calendula cotton hemp soybean coffee
kg oil/ha 145 148 183 195 230 256 273 305 375 386
litres oil/ ha 172 176 217 232 273 305 325 363 446 459
lbs oil/ acre 129 132 163 175 205 229 244 272 335 345
US gal/ acre 18 19 23 25 29 33 35 39 48 49
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html (1 de 12)04/12/2006 11:35:22 a.m.
Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Heaters, burners, stoves
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linseed (flax) hazelnuts euphorbia pumpkin seed coriander mustard seed camelina sesame safflower rice tung oil tree sunflowers cocoa (cacao) peanuts opium poppy rapeseed olives castor beans pecan nuts jojoba jatropha macadamia nuts brazil nuts avocado coconut oil palm Alphabetical order Crop avocado brazil nuts calendula camelina cashew nut castor beans cocoa (cacao) coconut
402 405 440 449 450 481 490 585 655 696 790 800 863 890 978 1000 1019 1188 1505 1528 1590 1887 2010 2217 2260 5000
478 482 524 534 536 572 583 696 779 828 940 952 1026 1059 1163 1190 1212 1413 1791 1818 1892 2246 2392 2638 2689 5950
359 362 393 401 402 430 438 522 585 622 705 714 771 795 873 893 910 1061 1344 1365 1420 1685 1795 1980 2018 4465
51 51 56 57 57 61 62 74 83 88 100 102 110 113 124 127 129 151 191 194 202 240 255 282 287 635
kg oil/ha 2217 2010 256 490 148 1188 863 2260
Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
litres oil/ ha 2638 2392 305 583 176 1413 1026 2689
lbs oil/ acre 1980 1795 229 438 132 1061 771 2018
US gal/ acre 282 255 33 62 19 151 110 287
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
Solar box cookers


coffee coriander corn (maize) cotton euphorbia hazelnuts hemp jatropha jojoba kenaf linseed (flax) lupine macadamia nuts mustard seed oats oil palm olives opium poppy peanuts pecan nuts pumpkin seed rapeseed rice safflower sesame soybean sunflowers tung oil tree
386 450 145 273 440 405 305 1590 1528 230 402 195 1887 481 183 5000 1019 978 890 1505 449 1000 696 655 585 375 800 790
459 536 172 325 524 482 363 1892 1818 273 478 232 2246 572 217 5950 1212 1163 1059 1791 534 1190 828 779 696 446 952 940
345 402 129 244 393 362 272 1420 1365 205 359 175 1685 430 163 4465 910 873 795 1344 401 893 622 585 522 335 714 705
49 57 18 35 56 51 39 202 194 29 51 25 240 61 23 635 129 124 113 191 57 127 88 83 74 48 102 100
Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
This data is compiled from a wide variety of sources. The yield figures are most useful as comparative estimates, crop yields vary widely. High yield is not the only factor in farming, maybe not even the most important factor. See: How much fuel can we grow? How much land will it take?
Typical oil extraction from 100 kg. of oil seeds

Castor Seed 50 kg Copra 62 kg

Cotton Seed 13 kg Groundnut Kernel 42 kg Mustard 35 kg Palm Kernal 36 kg Palm Fruit 20 kg Rapeseed 37 kg Sesame 50 kg Soyabean 14 kg Sunflower 32 k
Other oil crops

NewCrop SearchEngine at the Center for New Crops & Plant Products at Purdue University -- Search for "oil". Results: "The following pages containing 'oil' were found -- hits 1-20 of 200". Results are hyperlinked to detailed factsheets. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/SearchEngine.html Plants For A Future -- Database Search -- See "Search by Use Select any of the following uses. Or select none and use the plant criteria below." Select "Other Use" - oil. Results: "Other Use: Oil (460)". Results are hyperlinked to detailed factsheets. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/D_search.html
Oils and esters characteristics

Oils and esters characteristics Type of Oil Rapeseed oil, h. eruc. Rapeseed oil, i. eruc. Sunflower oil Olive oil Soybean oil Cotton seed oil Corn oil Coconut oil
Melting Range deg C Iodine Cetane Methyl Ethyl number number Oil / Fat Ester Ester 5 -5 -18 -12 -12 0 -5 20 to 24 0 -10 -12 -6 -10 -5 -10 -9 -2 97 to 105 -12 -14 -8 -12 -8 -12 -6 110 to 115 125 to 135 77 to 94 125 to 140 100 to 115 115 to 124 8 to 10 55 58 52 60 53 55 53 70
Palm kernel oil Palm oil Palm oleine Palm stearine Tallow Lard
20 to 26 30 to 38 20 to 25 35 to 40 35 to 40 32 to 36
-8 14 5 21 16 14
-8 10 3 18 12 10
12 to 18 44 to 58 85 to 95 20 to 45 50 to 60 60 to 70
70 65 65 85 75 65
Liberty Vegetable Oil Company lists the fatty acid composition of their oils as well as other details such as the Iodine Value, SG, Flash point etc -- Sweet Almond Oil, Pecan Oil, English Walnut Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Soybean Oil, Oleic Sunflower Oil, Canola Oil, Peanut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Corn Oil, Safflower Oil, Soybean Oil (Non-GMO), High Oleic Oils including Canola and Safflower. http://www.libertyvegetableoil.com/products.html
Iodine Values
Chemically, vegetable and animal oils and fats are triglycerides, glycerol bound to three fatty acids. Animal fat such as tallow or lard is saturated, meaning that in the fatty acid portion, all the carbon atoms
are bound to two hydrogen atoms, and there are no double bonds. This allows the chains of fatty acids to be straighter and more pliable so they harden at higher temperatures (that's why lard is a solid). As you increase the number of double bonds in a fatty acid, you reduce that ability for oils to gain a conformation that would make them solid, so they remain liquid. To picture it, imagine that you put a bunch of strings in a line. Now tie knots in various places on the strings and see how they don't fit together tightly. To test a vegetable oil to see how many double bonds it has (how unsaturated it is) iodine is introduced to the oil. The iodine will attach itself over a double bond to make a single bond where an iodine atom is now attached to each carbon atom in that double bond. Higher iodine numbers do not refer to the amount of iodine in the oil, but rather the amount of iodine needed to "saturate" the oil, or break all the double bonds. Oils for the most part contain only trace amounts of iodine naturally. How does this translate to biodiesel? When the fatty acid chains are broken from the glycerol and then re-esterified to methyl or ethyl groups, those fatty acids still have their double bonds. That means that the more double bonds, the lower the cloud point because they resist solidifying at lower temperatures. So, for instance, if you use lard or tallow, the biodiesel will solidify at a higher temperature because the fat it was formed from also solidified at a higher temperature. (Image and text compliments of Jeff Welter)
High Iodine Values

See also Oxidation and polymerisation The information below refers to straight vegetable oil fuel, but is also useful to show which oils are suitable for making biodiesel and which may not be suitable. Many vegetable oils and some animal oils are 'drying' or 'semidrying' and it is this which makes many oils such as linseed, tung and some fish oils suitable as the base of paints and other coatings. But it is also this property that further restricts their use as fuels. Drying results from the double bonds (and sometimes triple bonds) in the unsaturated oil molecules being broken by atmospheric oxygen and being converted to peroxides. Crosslinking at this site can then occur and the oil irreversibly polymerises into a plastic-like solid.
In the high temperatures commonly found in internal combustion engines, the process is accelerated and the engine can quickly become gummed-up with the polymerised oil. With some oils, engine failure can occur in as little as 20 hours. The traditional measure of the degree of bonds available for this process is given by the 'Iodine Value' (IV) and can be determined by adding iodine to the fat or oil. The amount of iodine in grams absorbed per 100 ml of oil is then the IV. The higher the IV, the more unsaturated (the greater the number of double bonds) the oil and the higher is the potential for the oil to polymerise. While some oils have a low IV and are suitable for use as fuel without any further processing other than extraction and filtering, the majority of vegetable and animal oils have an IV which may cause problems if used as a neat fuel. Generally speaking, an IV of less than about 25 is required if the neat oil is to be used for long term applications in unmodified diesel engines and this limits the types of oil that can be used as fuel. The table below lists various oils and some of their properties. The IV can be easily reduced by hydrogenation of the oil (reacting the oil with hydrogen), the hydrogen breaking the double bond and converting the fat or oil into a more saturated oil which reduces the tendency of the oil to polymerise. However this process also increases the melting point of the oil and turns the oil into margarine. As can be seen from the table below, only coconut oil has an IV low enough to be used without any potential problems in an unmodified diesel engine. However, with a melting point of 25 deg C, the use of coconut oil in cooler areas would obviously lead to problems. With IVs of 25-50, the effects on engine life are also generally unaffected if a slightly more active maintenance schedule is maintained such as more frequent lubricating oil changes and exhaust system decoking. Triglycerides in the range of IV 50-100 may result in decreased engine life, and in particular to decreased fuel pump and injector life. However these must be balanced against greatly decreased fuel costs (if using cheap, surplus oil) and it may be found that even with increased maintenance costs this is economically viable. Oils and their melting points and Iodine Values
Oil Coconut oil Palm kernel oil Mutton tallow Beef tallow Palm oil Olive oil Castor oil Peanut oil Rapeseed oil Cotton seed oil Sunflower oil Soybean oil Tung oil Linseed oil Sardine oil
Approx. melting point deg C 25 24 42 35 -6 -18 3 -10 -1 -17 -16 -2.5 -24 -
Iodine Value 10 37 40 50 54 81 85 93 98 105 125 130 168 178 185
-- From "Waste Vegetable Oil as a Diesel Replacement Fuel" by Phillip Calais, Environmental Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, and A.R. (Tony) Clark, Western Australian Renewable Fuels Association Inc. http://www.shortcircuit.com.au/warfa/paper/paper.htm Note: More Iodine Values here.
Talking about the weather

Generally, the higher an oil's Iodine Value, the lower the temperature at which it solidifies. Different terms are used for this -- melting point (MP), cloud point (CP), cold filter plugging point (CFPP), and pour point (PP). In practice they all mean about the same. It matters with both SVO systems using straight vegetable oil as fuel and with biodiesel, but more so with SVO systems. As vegetable oils cool, wax crystals form, and the oil goes cloudy. The crystals can form a film on filters, blocking the flow of fuel. The temperature at which this occurs varies widely according to the oil type, from well below freezing point to well above freezing point. It even varies for the same type of oil: new food-grade rapeseed or canola oil is usually "winterized" so that it doesn't cloud in the fridge and put people off. It will work nicely down to -10C, but once it
emerges from the fryer, partly hydrogenated, degraded and probably containing some tallow from the food fried in it, it will only stay liquid and not plug filters down to freezing point or just above. If you want to use an SVO system in a cold climate, you need a system configured to deal with the CFPP factor, and you need oil with a low CFPP. Coconut oil, palm oil, tallow and lard won't do, rapeseed or canola, peanut, corn or cottonseed are much better. But if you live in a hot climate, cloud points won't bother you and the opposite is true: coconut and palm oil, tallow and lard all have higher cetane numbers than the others, and lower Iodine Values. For biodiesel, the same applies, but to a lesser degree -- with most oils and fats, converting it into biodiesel tends to lower the CFPP. Biodiesel made with ethanol usually has a lower CFPP than biodiesel made with methanol. Additives and fuel-line heaters can solve the problem, and so can adding a proportion of petro-diesel or kerosene (up to 30% is usually recommended). See: Biodiesel in winter
Summary
Vegetable and animal fats and oils are triglycerides, made up of three fatty acid chains linked to a molecule of glycerol. The fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated. Unsaturated fatty acids have carbon-to-carbon double bonds. In saturated fatty acids all the carbon atoms are linked to two hydrogen atoms and there are no double bonds. The degree of saturation is indicated by the Iodine Value of the oil (IV). Low-IV oils are more saturated with fewer double-bonds (lard, tallow, palm oil, coconot oil). High-IV oils are more unsaturated with more double-bonds (linseed oil, tung oil, some fish oils and other "drying oils"). Low-IV oils have higher cetane values and are more efficient fuels than high-IV oils, but they also have higher melting points and are usually solid at room-temperature. Biodiesel made from low-IV oils also has a higher melting point and might only be suitable for use as summer fuel. High-IV oils have lower melting points and make better cold-weather biodiesel, but with high-IV oils there is more risk of the biodiesel oxidising and polymerising (drying) into a tough, insoluble plasticlike solid. Biodiesel made from high-IV oils should be stored carefully and used quickly.
"Semi-drying" oils like soy and sunflower are also prone to oxidation and polymerisation, though not as quickly as the drying oils. See also Oxidation and polymerisation Storing biodiesel
Hydrogenated oil, shortening, margarine

(See above, Iodine Values) Hydrogenated oils and shortening can be used to make biodiesel. Margarine is more problematic and should be avoided, unless you're an expert. When oils are hydrogenated hydrogen atoms are added to the carbon-to-carbon double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids, which then become saturated. This results in higher melting points. Fully hydrogenated oil is solid at room temperature, partly hydrogenated oils range from liquid to creamy to solid. Hydrogenation also lowers the Iodine Value Biodiesel freshly (IV) of the oil. "The typical IV for made from vegetable unhydrogenated soybean oil is 125-140, for shortening (Todd foodservice salad and cooking oils made from Swearingen) partially hydrogenated soybean oil it is 105120, for semi-solid household shortenings made from partially hydrogenated soybean oil it is 90-95." (Institute of Shortening and Edible Oils.) So biodiesel made from hydrogenated oil is less likely to oxidise and polymerise but will have a higher melting point than if it were made from unhydrogenated oil of the same kind. It increases the risk of filters plugging in cold weather or even just cool weather and is best used as summer fuel. In processing, treat hydrogenated oil the same as ordinary oil. The more solid it is when you get it the more difficult it is to handle, but once you heat it for processing it melts and behaves like any other oil. Shortening is fat used for baking and frying. Shortening is made from many kinds of vegetable oils, as well as lard and tallow. The oil is usually partly hydrogenated and different oils are blended for the desired effect.
For making biodiesel, treat shortening the same as hydrogenated oil. Margarine and spreads are a blend of fats and oils with water, milk products, edible proteins, vitamins, salt, flavouring and colouring. Margarine is usually only 80% oil or fat or less. Extracting the triglycerides from the other liquids and proteins to make biodiesel is not easy. Margarine is best avoided. Next: Oil yields and characteristics - Page 2 -- Quality standard for rapeseed oil fuel
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Lavado: Journey to Forever
Lavado
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Para qu preocuparme? Cul es el mejor mtodo de lavado? Lavado con niebla Lavado con burbujas Lavado por agitacin Decantacin Reciclar el agua de lavado Temperatura de lavado Emulsiones Empleo de cidos Desechar el agua de lavado Secar el combustible
Para qu preocuparme?
Una pregunta muy repetida: "De verdad hace falta lavar el biodisel? Durante meses he mezclado a medias diesel mineral y biodisel sin lavar, y el motor funciona estupendamente." Respuesta: "Claro que hay que lavarlo. Detergentes en la gasolina? Es aceptable. Jabones en el biodisel? No. Una lata de HEET en el depsito de vez en cuando para resolver el problema del agua? Es aceptable. Metanol que deteriore el odmetro? No. Y ciertamente no es nada beneficioso dejar que la glicerina se queme en el motor. Creo que es mejor permitir que las destileras de petrleo dejen varnices, parafinas, y cosas as en el disel, y servrselo como champn a los incautos. Consejo para los que dicen que les ha ido bien sin lavar el biodisel: no parece que haya ningn problema hasta que ya es demasiado tarde." -- Todd Swearingen, Appal Energy, publicado en la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles. Lee lo que opinan los fabricantes de equipos de inyeccin de combustible (Delphi, Stanadyne, Denso, Bosch) sobre las impurezas del biodisel sin lavar: Resumen -- html Documento completo -- archivo acrobat, 104 Kb Consulta tambin: Determining the Influence of
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Biocombustibles
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http://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_lavado.html (1 de 18)04/12/2006 11:35:31 a.m.
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Contaminants on Biodiesel Properties, Jon H. Van Gerpen et al., Universidad del Estado de Iowa, 31 de julio de 1996. Informe de 12.000 palabras sobre las impurezas y sus efectos. Archivo acrobat, 2,1 Mb: http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/reports/ gen/19960731_gen014.pdf El biodisel buena calidad siempre ha sido lavado. Pregunta frecuente: "No lavo mi biodisel. Dejo que repose un par de das y luego lo paso por dos filtros. Es suficiente?" Respuesta: No. La sedimentacin y el filtrado no sirven porque los contaminantes (jabn, leja, glicerina y metanol) estn disueltos en el combustible. La nica solucin es lavar con agua. Otra pregunta: "El metanol es buen combustible, Para qu separarlo del biodisel?" Respuesta: El metanol es buen combustible en coches de carreras con un motor de gasolina especialmente preparado. Mezclado con el biodisel no es buen combustible; daa el sistema de inyeccin de los motores. Hay que quitarlo con las dems impurezas. Lo mejor es separarlo antes del lavado y reciclarlo para hacer ms biodisel.
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Cul es el mejor mtodo de lavado?

Una pregunta muy comn: "Me pregunto si alguien podra decirme cul es la mejor manera de lavar grandes cantidades de biodisel. Es mejor el lavado con burbujas o el lavado con niebla?" Respuesta: Ninguno de los dos. Primero tienes que saber qu es una emulsin y cmo se forma. El biodisel bien hecho se separa del agua de lavado deprisa y limpiamente. Si no est bien hecho tiene ms jabn de lo normal y productos intermedios de la reaccin (monoy diglicridos), que actan como emulsionantes. Los emulsionantes sirven para mantener estables mezclas de aceite y agua, como la mahonesa. El jabn tambin lo hace. Si hay mucho jabn en el biodisel, no se separa del agua de lavado, o lo hace muy despacio. A veces tarda semanas.
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Cuando tarda tanto el problema es una emulsin. Ms abajo hay una explicacin detallada de las emulsiones. De hecho la separacin es una prueba de calidad. Si no se separa del agua de lavado no sirve como combustible. El biodisel bueno, que ha completado la reaccin, no forma emulsiones. Puedes "arreglar" la emulsin o evitar que se forme (mira ms abajo), y tener xito... consiguiendo combustible de mala calidad. Seguir teniendo impurezas, y los estndares solamente permiten cantidades muy pequeas de impurezas. Sobrepasando las cantidades permitidas se daa el motor. Las tcnicas de lavado delicadas como el lavado con burbujas y el lavado con niebla ocultan el problema si la reaccin ha quedado incompleta. Todd Swearingen de Appal Energy respondi: "El lavado con niebla y el lavado con burbujas estn muy extendidos entre los productores caseros, porque muchas veces no consiguen que se complete la reaccin y tienen problemas con el lavado. Son dos maneras de ocultar las reacciones incompletas con la esperanza de que la mezcla no se emulsione mucho y no se note el problema. "No debe lavarse hasta tener la certeza de que la reaccin se ha completado. Consulta Pruebas de calidad. Desafortunadamente, muchas personas son incapaces de comprobarlo por si mismas y prefieren lavar con delicadeza." Consulta: Lavado por agitacin Hay mucha confusin en este tema. Esta es otra respuesta a la misma pregunta, de una experta en mtodos de lavado delicados: "Tanto el lavado con burbujas como el lavado con niebla funcionan bien en lotes grandes, aunque con los mismos problemas que en los lotes pequeos: el lavado con niebla necesita ms agua y forma menos emulsin que el lavado con burbujas, que necesita poca agua, pero puede formar una emulsin.
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No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses

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"Yo empleo los dos mtodos. El lavado con niebla para lotes de unos pocos litros, y el de burbujas con un buen ciclo de reciclado del agua. En mi depsito de lavado de 1.300 litros mi pequea bomba de acuario da buenos resultados, pero puede que no todas las bombas sirvan para cantidades tan grandes. Aunque solamente se ve un apequea cantidad de burbujas que suben desde el fondo, funciona realmente bien. Se forma menos emulsin que con la agitacin que produce esa misma bomba en un lote ms pequeo." -- Maria Alovert, julio de 2004 Qu clase de combustible forma emulsin en un depsito de 1.300 L con una pequea bomba de aire para acuario? El combustible de calidad puede agitarse violentamente durante el lavado sin que forme una emulsin. No es posible que se emulsione con una bomba de acuario. Por raro que parezca, antes haba escrito esto sobre el lavado con niebla: "La mala noticia es que el biodisel de mala calidad puede emulsionarse con la ligera agitacin que produce el lavado con burbujas. La buena es que puede hacerse fcilmente biodisel de calidad... Hay gente que prefiere el lavado con niebla sperdelicado para evitar cualquier agitacin. Opino que el lavado con nieble oculta el verdadero problema, que no es la agitacin, sino la mala calidad.Es mejor asegurarse de que la reaccin se ha completado, en vez de evitar la agitacin para que el lavado sea fcil." -- "Bubblewashing 101", Maria Alovert, 12 de mayo de 2003 La seora Alovert tena un reactor de 200 L basado en el excelente diseo de reactor de Dale Scroggins, y la bomba que ella tena para hacer la mezcla era demasiado pequea para lotes mayores de 100 litros, es decir, que no poda mezclar bien lotes de 200 litros en el tiempo normal de proceso. Tambin tena problemas para separar correctamente la glicerina del biodisel. Si no se completa la reaccin, y adems est contaminado con glicerina, es muy difcil lavarlo.
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Como dijo la Seora Alovert, es fcil hacer buen biodisel. Esos problemas tienen solucin. ""-- Tom Kelly, Biofuel mailing list, 5 de octubre de 2005
Lavado con niebla

El lavado con niebla consiste en rociar una nube de gotitas minsculas que caen sobre la superficie sin perturbar el lquido y lo atraviesan arrastrando al fondo las impurezas. Funciona, por lo menos lava el biodisel, aunque es lento y necesita mucha agua, que no suele reutilizarse. Por qu elegir este mtodo? Despus de todo, la principal prueba de calidad del biodisel consiste en sacudirlo violentamente en un bote con algo de agua y ver cunto tardan en separarse. (Consulta Pruebas de Calidad). Si no puedes agitarlo durante el lavado sin que forme espuma o emulsin, necesitas empezar desde el principio y aprender cmo se hace bien el biodisel. Cuando hayas aprendido y te salga bien podrs usar mtodos de lavado ms efectivos, en vez de ocultar la mala calidad con este.
Lavado con burbujas

El lavado con burbujas fue desarrollado en la Universidad de Idaho y es popular entre los productores caseros. Hacen falta una pequea bomba de aire (suelen utilizarse las de acuario) y una piedra difusora. Se ponen agua y biodisel en el tanque de lavado. Tiene que haber entre 1/4 y 1/2 ms de agua que de biodisel. El agua est en el fondo, donde se encuentra la piedra difusora, y el combustible flota encima. Las burbujas de aire (mejor que sean muchas y muy pequeas) suben atravesando primero el agua y luego el biodisel. Cada gota queda cubierta por una fina pelcula
Primer lavado: agua lechosa...
de agua y la eleva atravs del biodisel, lavndolo por el camino. Cuando la burbuja estalla en la superficie deja caer la gotita de agua que la acompaaba, que vuelve al fondo atravesando de nuevo el biodisel y lavndolo ms. Para que quede bien limpio hacen falta tres o cuatro lavados consecutivos de entre seis y ocho horas de duracin cada uno (el primero suele ser ms corto), con un reposo intermedio de al menos una hora entre lavado y lavado, auque algunos lo dejan reposar mucho ms. Despus del reposo el agua se saca por un desage del fondo para sustituirla por agua limpia. Al final del ltimo lavado el agua debe estar cristalina, con pH 7 aproximadamente. Algunas piedras difusoras baratas se desmenuzan por culpa del biodisel, especialmente las de color azul.
Segundo lavado: agua turbia...
Tercer lavado: agua transparente con pH 7, biodisel cristalino
Las cermicas son mejores y duran indefinidamente. Mtodo de Aleks Kac: Lavado Mtodo de Mike Pelly: Lavado con burbujas. Ventajas del lavado con burbujas: es fcil, funciona y no da preocupaciones; pon agua, enciende la bomba y vuelve ms tarde. Inconvenientes: tarda mucho. Hay formas mejores y ms rpidas (mira ms abajo). Tambin oxida el combustible. El lavado con burbujas es delicado y puede ocultar una reaccin
incompleta, que se hara evidente agitando la mezcla. Siempre es bueno hacer una prueba antes de lavar, agitando un bote con biodisel y algo de agua para ver si luego se separan bien.
Ian usa tres de estos silenciadores neumticos para el lavado con burbujas. No se pudren, son baratos y funcionan Otro problema es que el muy bien. Consulta: Ian's vacuum lavado con burbujas biodiesel processor
oxida el combustible. Cada aceite tiene sus caractersticas. Algunos son aceites secantes, como el de linaza, que se usa en pinturas. Cuando se seca se polimeriza y forma un slido parecido al plstico. Con las altas temperaturas que hay en los motores de combustin interna la polimerizacin se acelera. Ocurre cuando el oxgeno atmosfrico rompe los enlaces dobles de los aceites insaturados. Todos sabemos lo que hace una bomba para acuario: bombea oxgeno en el agua; en el lavado con burbujas bombea oxgeno en el biodisel. No slo afecta a los aceites secantes, tambin a lo semisecantes, muchos de los cuales se emplean como materia prima para el biodisel. Los aceites saturados no se polimerizan, los insaturados s. El grado de insaturacin se llama ndice de iodo. El aceite de linaza, el de tung, y algunos aceites de pescado tienen el ndice de iodo entre 170 y 185. El aceite de coco tiene un ndice de iodo de diez. Para ms informacin sobre los ndices de iodo: ndices de iodo elevados La conversin de los aceites insaturados en biodisel reduce la polimerizacin, pero no la evita. El estndar europeo para biodisel de 2003 (EN 1421), que ha sido imitado por Australia, y pronto por japn, establece un lmite mximo para el ndice de iodo y para la estabilidad de oxidacin. El lmite para el ndice de iodo es 120, que excluye a la soja y al girasol como fuentes de aceite para producir biodisel, pero permite el aceite de colza, la oleaginosa ms cultivada en Europa. La ms cultivada en EE. UU. es la soja. El estndar norteamericano ( ASTM D-6751) no establece lmites para el ndice de iodo ni para la oxidacin. En un documento publicado hace diez aos, el profesor Jon H. Van Gerpen, director del proyecto de
biodisel de la Universidad del Estado de Iowa, declar: "El estndar para biodisel debera incluir un lmite para la tendencia del combustible a oxidarse, y un lmite del mximo grado de oxidacin aceptable para poder usarlo en motores diesel." Este asunto no recibe ninguna atencin en EE.UU., pero los resultados europeos son concluyentes: incluso cuando se produce a partir de aceite de colza, con su bajo ndice de iodo, el biodisel oxidado puede formar polmeros y daar los motores. El lavado con burbujas produce oxidacin. Hemos recibido resultados de anlisis hechos en Europa. El biodisel casero analizado super todos los requerimientos de los estndares menos el nivel de estabilidad de oxidacin. Esa gente ya no usa ms el lavado con burbujas, ahora lo lavan por agitacin. Si lavas tu combustible con el mtodo de las burbujas, consmelo lo antes posible, especialmente si lo haces apartir de la soja, el girasol u otros aceites semisecantes. No es bueno almacenarlo mucho tiempo. Influyen muchas variables: el tipo de aceite, las condiciones de almacenamiento, el clima... Puedes probar con aditivos antioxidantes. Nosotros no temos experiencia con esos aditivos. Con aceites semisecantes o aceites con un alto ndice de iodo, alterna su uso con lotes de biodisel hecho de aceites con menor ndice de iodo.
Lavado por agitacin

Una pregunta frecuente: "Hay alguna forma de lavar el biodisel en poco tiempo? He leido sobre el lavado con burbujas y lo entiendo, pero para conseguir la mejor calidad se tarda ms de una semana, y hacen falta muchos lavados." Respuesta: "Se puede hacer en mucho menos tiempo de la siguiente manera: 1) Abandona el lavado con niebla.
Lavado por agitacin, primer lavado -- Mezcla perfecta de agua y biodisel inmediatamente despus de una intensa
2) Abandona el lavado con burbujas. 3) Asegrate muy bien de que nunca intentas lavarlo si no se ha completado la reaccin, porque se formara emulsin y no podras reprocesarlo. Antes de lavar haz una prueba mezclndolo con agua en un bote de cristal bien cerrado. 4) Con una hlice movida por un motor, mezlca el agua y el biodisel hasta que tengan un aspecto homogneo (5 minutos). 5) Deja que repose durante una hora. 6) Saca el combustible con un sifn y repite los pasos 4, 5 y 6 otras dos veces.
agitacin con un mezclador de pinturas.
Tercer lavado -- Agua limpia con pH 7, biodisel cristalino, no hay prdida de rendimiento.
7) Deja que se seque en un recipiente abierto bien ventilado. La poca agua que an queda tiene que evaporarse. Puedes calentar hasta 48 C para que se seque con ms facilidad. Dependiendo del volumen del lote, y del tamao y la potencia de los motores, se puede reducir el tiempo total de proceso a menos de 24 horas. La mayora de la gente evita mezclar mecnicamente el combustible y el agua en la etapa de lavado pensando que se formar una emulsin. Y es cierto que se formar si se intenta lavar 'combustible' que no ha terminado de reaccionar." -- Todd Swearingen, Appal Energy, publicado en la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles. Un comentario posterior: "Todd, hoy me he arriesgado a probar tu mtodo de lavado rpido en un bidn de 130 litros, y quiero agradecerte el tiempo que me has dedicado. Funciona! Al menos en mi
caso, este mtodo es mucho mejor y ms rpido que el lavado con burbujas. Solamente cinco minutos hasta que la mezcla tiene un aspecto homogneo, una hora de reposo, y se cambia el agua. Con hacer esto tres veces es Lavado por agitacin de un suficiente. El biodisel ya est lote de 60 litros -- Adicin limpio; dejar que repose de 20 litros de agua para el primer lavado. durante un da entero. No se forma emulsin, se separan muy bien." -- Kevin Shea, en la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles. Ventajas del lavado por agitacin: Es rpido y efectivo, no oculta las reacciones incompletas y no oxida el combustible.
Una taladradora con un mezclador de pintura puede remover los 80 litros.
Inconvenientes: No tiene inconvenientes si se hace todo bien desde el principio. Algunos principiantes tienen dificultad con esto, todo parece ir bien hasta que empieza el lavado y llegan los problemas; El mezclador de pintura. se forma espuma, o se Tres lavados en un solo convierte en una emulsin que da dejan el biodisel limpio y cristalino, sin no puede separarse. Luego se desaniman. No te rindas, sigue emulsiones ni prdida de rendimiento. adelante. Es cuestin de prctica. Asegrate de que la valoracin y las medidas son correctas, se tan meticuloso como puedas, comprueba que los productos sean de buena calidad y se encuentren en buenas condiciones, de que pones suficiente metanol, de que la temperatura es correcta y el tiempo de agitacin suficiente. Si te atascas, pide ayuda en la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles. Ms consejos por parte de Todd Swearingen: "Puedes usar un agitador de hlice durante cinco minutos, tiempo suficiente para homogeneizar la
mezcla de agua y combustible. En un lote de 500 litros, el 99% del agua se separa del biodisel en una hora. Probablemente se pueda hacer un lavado cada tres horas. Deja que el combustible repose entre 12 y 24 horas antes de secarlo. "Algunas personas cuestionan el lavado por agitacin frente al lavado con niebla y el lavado con burbujas, pues con el primero la mezcla no se clarifica y separa tan rpidamente como con los otros dos. Hay razones bien fundadas para que esto ocurra as. Las bombas y las hlices mezclan mejor el combustible con el agua (consiguen que las partculas de la mezcla sean pequesimas), de modo que hay un contacto ms estrecho entre ambas substancias. Esto supone una mayor superficie de contacto entre las molculas de agua y las impurezas que hay suspendidas y disueltas en el biodisel. Un motor de medio caballo de potencia con una hlice de 15 cm, durante un cuarto de hora en un tanque de lavado de 700 litros, consiguen los mismos resultados, o mejores, que un da entero de lavado con burbujas o con niebla. Esto permite dedicar menos tiempo al lavado y ms a la decantacin, acelerando todo el proceso. "El lavado con bomba tiene la capacidad de 'atomizar' ms rpida y completamente los dos fluidos, produciendo una emulsin muy homognea. Si el biodisel es bueno la emulsin se separa pronto." Puede ahorrarse algo de dinero empleando la misma bomba para la reaccin y para el lavado, pero con mucho cuidado de limpiar completamente la bomba con biodisel antes de utilizarla otra vez para la reaccin, en el siguiente lote (de modo que el biodisel arrastre todo resto de agua). Si se emplea el mismo recipiente para la reaccin y para los lavados, tambin hay que quitar los restos de agua con biodisel. Si no dispones de mucho espacio es una opcin, pero resulta mucho mejor disponer de un tanque de lavado con su agitador por un lado, y un tanque para la reaccin por otro. Si utilizas un depsito de agua caliente estanco como reactor, probablemente queden dentro restos de glicerina difciles de
sacar, que hecharan a perder el lavado posterior del biodisel, y el lavado dejara restos de agua que hecharan a perder el siguiente lote de biodisel. Es mejor tener un depsito de lavado independiente. Si se te cuela una pequea cantidad de los subproductos en el depsito de lavado Un aspersor de jardn cuando traspasas el giratorio mezcla bien el combustible, deja que repose combustible y el agua. otra vez durante la noche, Una bomba hace pasar la calienta agua (como mximo mezcla por el aspersor, un cuarto del volumen de que la derrama sobre la biodisel) y hchala sobre la superficie. superficie del combustible. Deja que repose unas horas y saca la mezcla de agua y glicerina. Despus podrs continuar el lavado de la manera habitual. Otra opcin para la agitacin en el lavado es usar una bomba y un aspersor de jardn. No tiene nada en comn con el lavado con niebla, no es nada delicado. La mezcla queda tan homognea como con la agitacin mecnica, aunque tarda algo ms, unos 15 20 minutos. Salpica un poco, pero el peligro de oxidacin es mucho menor que en el lavado con burbujas.
Decantacin
Deja reposar tu biodisel antes de lavarlo. Cuanto ms tiempo mejor, al menos doce horas, o mejor 24 h, antes de separar la glicerina y continuar con el lavado. Esta decantacin disminuye la alcalinidad y permite un lavado ms fcil con menos agua. Ten cuidado separando la glicerina del biodisel, es una substancia muy jabonosa. Es mejor tener un poco de biodisel en la capa de subproductos, antes que subproductos en el biodisel. Si te ocurre que pasa un poco de la mezcla de subproductos junto con el combustible cuando lo transfieres al tanque de lavado, djalo reposar de nuevo toda la noche. Por la
maana calienta agua (un cuarto de la cantidad de biodisel) y djala sobre la superficie. Deja que repose unas horas y saca el agua del tanque. Contina con el lavado de la manera habitual. As es como nosotros hacemos la separacin de los subproductos del biodisel. Deja reposar el combustible entre lavados tanto tiempo como sea posible antes de reemplazar el agua. Generalmente, cuanto mayor sea el tiempo de reposo mayor ser la efectividad del siguiente lavado. Despus del lavado deja que asiente de nuevo antes de usarlo. El biodisel recientemente lavado suele ser algo opaco. Tarda en aclararse entre un da y una semana. Dejalo al sol, o calientalo a 45-50 C (113-122 F) y dejalo enfriar en un recipiente con ventilacin. Si se vuelve opaco otra vez probablemente no est bien lavado. Lavalo de nuevo.
Reciclar el agua de lavado

El mtodo de "contra corriente" para reutilizar el agua de lavado reduce en dos tercios la cantidad de agua necesaria. El agua del lavado de biodisel no queda saturada de impurezas, sino que se alcanza una especie de equilibrio entre las impurezas contenidas en el agua y las que permanecieron en el biodisel (es decir, entre la fase acuosa y la fase aceitosa). Normalmente se hacen tres lavados. El agua del primer lavado se llevar consigo la mayora de los contaminantes, reducindose lo retirado en el segundo lavado, y ms an en el tercero. Tanto es as que para lavar del prximo lote de biodisel se reutiliza el agua del segundo y tercer lavado para el primero y el segundo, respectivamente, acabando con agua limpia para el tercero. Con este procedimiento, como vemos, slo se desecha el agua del primer lavado de cada lote. Para ms informacin sobre por qu es buena idea reciclar el agua del lavado consultar las explicaciones de Todd Swearingen en The Economy of Wash Water Recycling
Temperatura de lavado
Cuanto ms fro hace menos efectivo es el lavado, porque
tarda ms y necesita ms agua. Si el reactor y el tanque de lavado estn dentro de un edificio con calefaccin no deberas tener problemas; de lo contrario tienes que calentar el biodisel o, mejor, el agua. Procura que la temperatura dentro del tanque se mantenga como mnimo a 30 C (86 F). Nosotros en invierno lavamos con agua caliente. Nos cuesta barata, pero aun as tenemos que gastar energa, y la energa no es gratuita, por muy barata que cueste. Tenemos un calentador de agua Kyocera, para usarla basta con bombearla hasta el depsito de lavado.
Emulsiones
No deberan formarse si el combustible est bien preparado (mira ms arriba). Cuando se forma una emulsin en lo primero que hay que pensar es en el motivo, para encontrar una solucin y que no vuelva a ocurrir. Lo segundo que hay que pensar es cmo salvar el lote. Un solo lote de mala calidad y con impurezas no har dao al motor, si no dura mucho tiempo. Puedes reparar el lote y aprovecharlo. Una emulsin de poca importancia consiste en una tercera capa entre la de biodisel y la de agua despus del reposo del primer lavado. Una capa intermedia delgada como una hoja de papel es normal, puedes continuar con el segundo lavado. Si la capa intermedia es ms gruesa, algo va mal. Drena esa capa dejando salir tambin un poco del biodisel que tiene por encima y un poco del agua que tiene por debajo. Calienta la emulsin y deja que repose. Cuando se separe la emulsin mezcla el biodisel defectuoso con el siguiente lote de aceite para reprodesarlo. Mientras tanto contina lavando del biodisel que no se emulsion en el primer lavado. Ya no debera emulsionarse. Una emulsin grave no ocupa una capa intermedia, si no todo el tanque de lavado. Es como tener el tanque lleno de sopa de pollo. Si lo dejas toda la noche o un da entero normalmente se separar y volvers a tener una capa intermedia como en el caso anterior. Puede tardar ms en separarse, muchos das, o una semana, especialmente si hace fro. Mientras esperas el tanque est ocupado y no puedes lavar el siguiente lote.
Las emulsiones pueden separarse de muchas maneras distintas. Calentarla hasta 50-60 C (122-140 F) suele ser suficiente. Como al secar el aceite, pueden formarse burbujas de vapor que luego estallan violentamente. Otra forma es aadir agua caliente a la mezcla, si hay suficiente espacio en el depsito. Cuanto ms caliente mejor. Por lo menos debera empezar la separacin: deja que repose, drena toda el agua que se separe, pon ms agua caliente... hasta que el biodisel quede limpio. Tambin puedes probar con sal comn, es decir, cloruro de sodio. Diluye la sal en agua, aadela mientras agitas con suavidad, y sigue aadiendo mientras empieza a separarse. De esta manera se separa la emulsin, con el problema de que la sal es una impureza. Quitar toda la sal del combustible es difcil. El agua salada no es tan inocua como el agua normal del lavado, as que ten cuidado cuando te desagas de ella. Otra solucin es recurrir al cido. Lee la siguiente seccin. Uses el mtodo que uses, una vez separada la emulsin, contina con el resto de los lavados hasta que el combutible quede tan limpio y seco como de costumbre. Ya puedes usar el lote reparado y aprender cmo hacer mejor combustible la prxima vez.
Empleo de cidos
Algunos dicen que es un error neutralizar los restos de leja durante el lavado. Dicen que adems de neutralizar la leja tambin transforman algunas molculas de jabn en cidos grasos libres, que se disuelven en el biodisel y empeoran su calidad. Nosotros raramente lo hacemos, pero mucha gente hecha cido durante el lavado sin problemas. Algunos de ellos han hecho analizar su biodisel y el resultado ha sido bueno. El biodisel neutralizado con cido durante el lavado puede cumplir con estndares como DIN 51606 y ONORM. Es una prctica comn en la produccin comercial. De verdad se convierte el jabn en AGLs? Las cantidades tpicas de cido son: 8 ml de vinagre al 5% por cada litro de agua de lavado; 2 ml de cido fosfrico al 10% por cada litro
de agua de lavado; suficiente ("no mucho") cido fosfrico para dejar el pH cerca de 7 (neutro). Otros cidos utilizados son el sulfrico, el ctrico y el cetico, todos bien diluidos. As es como se convierte el jabn en AGLs: Separating glycerine/FFAs. Lo que pone en esa pgina sirve para aceites usados "normales", que dan en la valoracin 3 ml. Con esos aceites, para descomponer los jabones en glicerina y AGLG hacen falta 9,75 ml de cido fosfrico (pureza 85%) por cada litro de aceite. Es una cantidad de cido 50 veces mayor que la necesaria para neutralizar la leja en el lavado, y en el lavado el cido est diluido en agua. No se formarn cidos grasos libres, pero administra el cido con moderacin de todas maneras. El cido tambin sirve para deshacer emulsiones, o para prevenir que se formen, ocultando el hecho de que la reaccin no se complet. Es importante saber si la reaccin se ha completado o no. Haz siempre una prueba antes de lavar. Puedes deshacer una emulsin aadiendo cido diluido (fosfrico, actico, ctrico, sulfrico, con una concentracin del 10%) hasta que empiece a separarse.
Desechar el agua de lavado

El agua sucia del lavado es tan inofensiva como el agua residual de cualquier casa. Es an ms inofensiva si recuperas el exceso de metanol despus del lavado. La mayor parte del metanol y la leja quedan en la capa de glicerina, no en el biodisel que luego se lava. La leja no daa las caeras porque en realidad sirve para limpiarlas, y los jabones son muy abundantes en las aguas residuales. El resto de las impurezas no deben ser muy distintas de las que quedan despus de lavar los platos. No causas ningn problema si dejas que esta agua se vaya por el sumidero. O puedes tratarla en un sencillo sistema de reutilizacin de aguas grises, filtradas biolgicamente con plantas acuaticas como el jacinto de agua y la lemma minor, y luego reutilizarla. Hay mucha informacin en internet para aprender cmo se hace. Tambin sirve para regar si se diluye en agua limpia.
Secar el combustible
Cuando el combustible est cristalino, es decir, que se puede
ver atravs de l, ya est seco. En realidad nunca queda totalmente seco; aunque los estndares dicen que no debe contener agua, siempre absorbe un poco de humedad de la atmsfera, entre 1.200 y 1.500 ppm, pero es agua diluida, que no da problemas, a diferencia del agua en suspensin. Se seca solo. Tarda entre un da y una semana empezando a contar desde que se separa del agua del ltimo lavado. Se seca mejor dejndolo al sol, o calentndolo hasta 45-50 C (113-122 F) y dejando que se enfre en un recipiente ventilado. Si se enturbia otra vez cuando se enfra, probablemente no est bien lavado. Tendrs que lavarlo otra vez. Hay un mtodo que se llama secado con burbujas. Es igual que el lavado con burbujas, pero sin agua. Drena el agua del ltimo lavado y bombea aire en el combustible igual que en el lavado con burbujas. El biodisel queda seco en una noche. A veces se mantiene turbio y hay que volver a lavarlo. El secado con burbujas tiene la misma desventaja que el lavado con burbujas, pues oxida el combustible, a no ser que lo hagas muy deprisa. No supera los requerimientos del estndar europeo EN 1421. No recomendamos este mtodo. Nuestro combustible suele quedar seco en un da o dos.

Biocombustibles Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) biodisel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodisel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodisel biodisel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodisel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl)
Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodisel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
El biodiesel y tu vehculo: Journey to Forever
El biodiesel y tu vehculo
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Compatibilidad: -- Filtros -- Encendido -- Caucho Calidad -- Por qu la calidad es importante -- Pruebas de calidad -- Estndares para el biodiesel Usando biodiesel en invierno Biodiesel en motores de gasolina Esta es una pregunta muy repetida: "Puedo usar biodiesel en mi coche?" Respuesta: Si tiene motor diesel s, pero antes debes saber algunas cosas.

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Filtros
English version
Biocombustibles
El diesel mineral es un producto sucio. Adems del humo, el mismo combustible deja manchas pegajosas por donde pasa. El biodiesel no ensucia, y mejor an, sirve como limpiador; limpia muy bien los restos de diesel mineral del depsito y el sistema de distribucin. Cuando sustituyas el diesel mineral por biodiesel, al principio inspecciona con frecuencia los filtros del combustible, y cmbialos cuando sea necesario. En las primeras semanas la vigilancia de los filtros debe ser constante para evitar que se obturen. Cuando un coche ha estado parado mucho tiempo (con diesel mineral dentro), puede que aparezca agua en el depsito y lo oxide (el agua es un problema frecuente del diesel mineral). Si luego se llena el depsito de biodiesel, desprender las partculas de xido, que podran atascar los filtros. Lo peor que puede ocurrir es que el motor se pare por falta de combustible. No es lo normal, pero aveces ocurre.
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Encendido
Opcional: retarda el tiempo de inyeccin 2 3 grados para compensar que el biodiesel tiene mayor nmero de cetanos.
http://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_vehiculo.html (1 de 15)04/12/2006 11:35:36 a.m.
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El motor pierde un poco de la potencia extra del biodiesel, pero es ms silencioso y se calienta menos, reduciendo las emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno. Consulta emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno.
Caucho
Con el tiempo el biodiesel puede corroer las piezas de caucho del sistema de combustible, especialmente el biodiesel puro (100%, B100). Los coches ms modernos (desde mediados de los noventa) son de materiales resistentes, y algunos motores antiguos tambin funcionan con biodiesel sin problemas. Si es necesario pregunta al fabricante de tu coche. El mejor material es el vitn. En realidad estos problemas son raros. Empieza a usar biodiesel y espera a ver qu ocurre. Si surge algn problema estars prevenido y podrs solucionarlo fcilmente. El productor comercial Camillo Holecek, de Biodiesel Raffinerie GmbH, Austria (http://www.energea.at/en_info. html) opina lo siguiente: "Como productor comercial suelo decir a mis clientes: cualquier coche producido en Europa despus de 1996 puede consumir biodiesel sin problemas, ya que en Francia y en otros pases todo el diesel que se vende contiene un 5% de biodiesel, y en la Repblica Checa se vende un combustible con 30% de biodiesel, y ningn fabricante de coches quiere tener la mala fama de que su coche es malo y no funciona. "Por cierto, Nissan Austria acaba de aprobar el uso de biodiesel puro (100%) en su modelo Primera. "A algunos camiones un poco antiguos se les han resquebrajado las juntas originales de la bomba de inyeccin, meses despus de que se hincharan por el ataque del biodiesel." Terry de Winne (Biocombustibles para un tansporte sostenible -- http://www.biofuels.fsnet.co.uk/) aade: "El 'ultra low sulphur diesel' (ULSD), diesel con muy poco azufre, tiene dos defectos: la falta de lubricidad (por falta de azufre) y su capacidad de vulcanizar el
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Rural development
caucho. Cuando se implant en Europa entre 1993 y 1995, los fabricantes cambiaron todas las piezas de caucho por Vitn o plsticos similares. "Al principio el ULSD provocaba problemas en los inyectores, pero luego las petroleras aadieron aditivos lubricantes para compensar la falta de lubricidad. "En Francia las tres petroleras ms importantes aaden un 5% de biodiesel a todo el ULSD que venden. Shell Internacional slo aade un 2%, pero incluso esa pequea cantidad es suficiente para compensar la falta de azufre. El biodiesel tambin oxigena el combustible y reduce mucho las emisiones, especialmente las de monxido de carbono y xidos de nitrgeno. "Por lo tanto todos los vehculos europeos son compatibles con el biodiesel, aunque no todos los fabricantes lo reconocen. "El biodiesel, que es una substancia orgnica, es absorbido por el caucho natural. Tras un mes de exposicin al biodiesel, el caucho se hincha y se pudre. Una pequea cantidad de biodiesel como aditivo en el diesel mineral tambin pudre el caucho. Llenar el depsito con biodiesel un par de veces para probarlo no es peligroso para el coche si luego se vuelve al diesel mineral. "Esto es importante en generadores elctricos, que suelen estar diseados para diesel con mucho azufre y probablemente tengan tubos de caucho." En realidad ocurre pocas veces. Los vehculos fabricados apartir de los aos 80 no suelen tener problemas, ni si quiera con el biodiesel puro. Algunos Volkswagen de esos aos sufren fugas en los tubos del combustible, pero es fcil sustituirlos. Respecto a las juntas de las bombas de inyeccin, solo conocemos un caso de deterioro grave. A la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles han llegado muchas preguntas como estas dos: "Tengo un Toyota Corolla 2.0D (1993), me han dicho que las bombas de combustible de los vehculos
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
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Compost
La rueda de la vida
Small farms
The way forward
Biocombustibles
Solar box cookers

Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses

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antiguos no son compatibles con el biodiesel. Las juntas de caucho de la bomba de combustible se estropean y no se pueden reemplazar. Una bomba de combustible es muy cara (cientos de euros). Puede decirme alguien si eso es cierto?" Segunda pregunta: "Llevo semanas intentando averiguar qu debo modificar en mi furgoneta Datsun antes de usar biodiesel puro. Es de 1981, y aunque funciona bien con un 20% de biodiesel, creo que tendr que cambiar los conductos del combustible para usar biodiesel 100%. "Es el nico vehculo que tengo y me cuesta desmontar las piezas de caucho en el aparcamiento de la tienda de repuestos. "Sabe alguien cmo modificar este modelo? Qu piezas hacen falta? Necesito una bomba nueva? Tiene dentro juntas de caucho?" La respuesta: "Si tu biodiesel est bien hecho y bien lavado no hay motivo para que dae la bomba, aunque sea antigua. Los fabricantes de coches dicen lo contrario para no hacerse responsables si algo falla, y las petroleras quieren que sigas comprando sus productos. No hace falta modificarla." -- Malcolm Maclure, junio de 2005. De todas formas el diesel mineral es agresivo y corroe a algunos tipos de caucho y de plstico. Tenemos varios bidones de plstido de doce litros que hemos usado durante aos para guardar biodiesel, metanol, metxido, y los subproductos de la reaccin, y nunca dieron problemas hasta que metimos diesel mineral dentro de uno. Al cabo de un rato tena un agujero enorme. El sistema de combustible est hecho para resistir.
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Calidad
Las caractersticas del biodiesel varan ligeramente segn el
aceite del que proceda (consulta Caractersticas de Aceites y steres). Por ejemplo, algunas variantes del biodiesel son adecuadas para climas fros. Si se hace con etanol (etilsteres) el resultado es un poco distinto que si se hace con metanol (metilsteres). Pero siempre es un combustible excelente, incluso si se hace apartir de aceites cocinados y gastados -- siempre que est bien hecho, claro. Puedes producir combustible de gran calidad siguiendo las instrucciones de este sitio web.
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Fabrica tu propio biodiesel Receta de Mike Pelly Fabricacin en dos etapas Mtodo cido-base
Jack Kenworthy, de la isla-escuela Cape Eleuthera, en las Bahamas, era un novato cuando se uni a la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles en noviembre de 2002. Aprendi desde cero con ayuda de los miembros de la lista, quienes le ayudaron a superar las dificultades y a disear y construir un reactor. Nueve meses despus nos mand esto: "Hola a todos. Acabo de recibir los resultados de las pruebas ASTM [el estndar de EE.UU. para el biodiesel: ASTM D-6751] y mi biodiesel ha conseguido buenos resultados. Yo soy otro ejemplo de un productor casero que en un lugar remoto ha conseguido biodiesel de gran calidad. Muchas gracias -- Jack" Jack emplea el mtodo alcalino de una etapa en lotes de 560 litros, en total 1.120 litros a la semana. Su materia prima es el aceite usado en las cocinas de los cruceros que pasan por la isla una vez por semana. Consulta: Los Esndares y el Productor Casero -"Casi todos los requisitos del ASTM D-6751 pueden cumplirse simplemente con lavar bien el producto," dice Todd Swearingen de Appal Energy. Aleks Kac, que produce biodiesel con su mtodo "infalible" (mtodo cido-base en dos etapas), ha superado el estndar aleman DIN 51606 y el austraco ONORM, con muestras tomadas de su produccin normal, sin ninguna
preparacin especial. Un mensaje de Martin Steele, de Manchester, UK -- Martin llev su Volvo 940 de 1989 (motor VW 2.5 IDI) a que lo revisara un profesional despus de haber recorrido 30.000 millas con su biodiesel casero. "Me preocupaba el estado del motor, pero me llev una sorpresa: estaba muy limpio, apenas haba restos de carbn en los cilindros. "Las aberturas de entrada y salida estaban limpias, las vlvulas no tenan marcas de quemaduras ni de desgaste, los inyectores sonaban bien y estaban limpios. Alrededor del extremo de los inyectores haba aceite, no el carbn que suele formarse. "El sistema de combustible estaba limpsimo. El motor tena algunas marcas de desgaste, pero nada que estubiera causado por un mal combustible o una combustin deficiente. "Esto demuestra que el biodiesel casero bien hecho es mucho mejor que el diesel mineral y el biodiesel comercial." El especialista dijo que nunca haba visto tan limpio un motor de esa edad. Hemos recivido muchos informes similares. De hecho puede que llegues a producir mejor combustible que el que venden las grandes petroleras, aunque las empresas se esfuerzan en decir lo contrario. El 7 de noviembre de 2002 Graham Noyes, de World Energy, un proveedor al por mayor de biodiesel en EE.UU. escribi esto a la lista de correo: "El mayor temor de la industria del biodiesel es que los productores caseros destruyan el mercado. Los productores caseros dan problemas en muchos sitios y es difcil arreglar lo que ellos estropean. Hay una regin del pas donde muchos de ellos vendan al pblico, y ha hecho falta mucho tiempo para que la gente de aquella zona vuelva a confiar en el biodiesel."
Aunque los miembros del grupo le preguntaban mucho, era incapaz de dar detalles sobre la supuesta catstrofe y tres semanas despus tubo que rectificar: "Ahora entiendo mucho mejor el esfuerzo de los productores caseros para que su combustible sea de excelente calidad. La prxima vez que opine sobre algo dar ms detalles, y tendr ms cuidado cuando de mi opinin. No tengo pruebas de que el biodiesel casero sea malo, aunque me preocupa su calidad." Es una mentira inventada por la indutria. Graham se gan el respeto de los miembros del grupo admitiendo su error y ahora se esfuerza por que desparezca esa mentira. En mayo de 2003 World Energy retir del mercado una partida de biodiesel en la costa oeste de EE.UU. porque no cumpla las normas de calidad; tena mucha glicerina por un mal lavado. La empresa sustituy el combustible defectuoso por otro de buena calidad y pag las reparaciones de los daos. Poco despus otra empresa tubo que retirar muchos miles de galones en la zona de San Francisco porque era un combustible de muy mala calidad (estaba sin lavar). Afortunadamente no lleg a los consumidores. Maria Alovert produce biodiesel en Berkeley. Esto es lo que escribi a la Lista de Correo de los Biocombustibles: "Qu es eso de que el biodiesel casero es malo y que el biodiesel industrial es el nico que puede cumplir los estndares? "Los lunes por la noche hacemos demostraciones de pruebas de calidad con una muestra de biodiesel comercial, una muestra del producido con el mtodo cido-base, y varias muestras de distintas calidades, para compararlas entre s. "En teora son de buena calidad el biodiesel comercial y el biodiesel casero hecho con el mtodo cido-base, pero resulta que el comercial es de muy mala calidad. "Productores caseros probando la calidad del combustible comercial para saber si es seguro, si es necesario reprocesarlo. Es gracioso despus de todo lo que se ha dicho sobre la 'mala calidad' del biodiesel
casero." Aleks Kac: "Por curiosidad hice una prueba de calidad a una muestra de biodiesel comercial de Austria (un poco de agua mezclada con el combustible para obserbar la separacin -- mira ms abajo). Psimo resultado: se form una gruesa capa de espuma blanca entre la capa de agua y la de biodiesel. Al cabo de dos semanas el espesor de la espuma se redujo 1/4, pero no desapareci, y el combustible an estaba turbio. Conclusin: el biodiesel comercial no est lavado con agua. En mi opinin slo le destilan el metanol y lo pasan sobre una cama cida para neutralizar la leja." Rob Del Bueno, de Vegenergy http://www.vegenergy. com/ revende biodiesel producido industrialmente en Atlanta, Georgia. Esto es lo que opina: "En los dos ltimos aos he encontrado grandes variaciones en la calidad de ese combustible. Uno de los argumentos principales de la industria contra el biodiesel casero es la calidad, pero hasta hoy todo el combustible casero que he visto siempre ha sido mejor que el 'combustible' con el que comercio. Los particulares que producen a pequea escala parece que se preocupan de verdad, le dedican tiempo, saben como hacerlo bien... despus de todo, la mayora de ellos lo usan en sus propios coches, no lo venden." T tambin puedes hacerlo.
Por qu la calidad es importante

Lleg un mensaje a la lista de correo diciendo que algien haba hecho un poco de biodiesel agitando los ingredientes dentro de un bote y lo haba puesto directamente en el coche: "... He recorrido docenas de millas sin ningn problema!", presuma. A diferencia de los motores de gasolina, los motores diesel pueden funcionar con combustible de mala calidad durante un tiempo: funcionan con aceite de motor gastado, con queroseno y hasta con gasolina, tambin con biodiesel
psimo. Pero los motores diesel y sus sistemas de combustible deben soportar 250.000 milllas o ms; es normal que lleguen a recorrer medio milln de millas. Docenas de millas, 10.000 millas, o 20.000, no son muchas. Un buen experimento podra ser un recorrido de 250.000 millas con biodiesel sin lavar, con todos sus contaminantes: jabn, metanol, leja, glicerina; con inspecciones peridicas del motor para controlar el desgaste. No hay estudios cientficos de ese tipo, pero no son necesarios porque ya se conocen los daos que causan las impurezas y ese conocimiento es la base de los estndares nacionales para el biodiesel. Los Fabricantes de equipos de inyeccin de combustible (Delphi, Stanadyne, Denso, Bosch) tambin opinan sobre la calidad del biodiesel: Resumen -- html Documento completo -- Archivo Acrobat, 104 Kb
Pruebas de calidad
Esta es la mejor prueba de calidad: mezcla en un bote 150 ml biodiesel sin lavar (separado de la glicerina, despus de doce horas de reposo) con 150 ml de agua. Pon la tapa y agita vigorosamente durante diez segundos. Deja que repose. En media hora, o menos, debe quedar encima el biodiesel cristalino, y debajo agua lechosa. Si el combustible es de buena calidad la separacin Prueba de lavado. A la es rpida y todas las izquierda emuslin formada impurezas quedan en el agua. agitando diez segundos. A Si supera esta prueba puedes la derecha separacin lavarlo y usarlo con toda perfecta algunos minutos tranquilidad. despus. Pero si no se separa y forma una emulsin (con el aspecto de la mayonesa), o se separa muy despacio, con una fina capa blanca entre la capa de biodiesel y la de agua, no es combustible de buena calidad. Puede que pusieras demasiada leja, que forma jabn (haz mejor la valoracin), o puede que
no se completara la reaccin y quedaran monoglicridos y diglicridos (pon ms metanol, agita mejor, deja que reaccione durante ms tiempo, controla mejor la temperatura), o puede que ocurrieran las dos cosas. Es muy difcil lavar el combustible de mala calidad. Por mucho que se labe seguir siendo mal combustible mezclado con contaminantes perjudiciales para el motor. Entre el agua y el biodiesel suele quedar una emulsin del grosor de una hoja de papel. Si esa capa intermedia es ms gruesa, el lote debe ser reprocesado como si fuera aceite nuevo. Pon 3,5 gr/l de leja y un 10% de la cantidad normal de metanol. Es recomendable repetir la prueba despus de lavarlo para comprobar que ha quedado bien limpio. Debe separarse limpiamente del agua despus de unos minutos. Consulta: Lavado Descripcin del Proceso Qu puedes hacer si tu combustible no supera la prueba del lavado? Una pregunta frecuente: "Cuando intento lavar el biodiesel con agua del grifo se forma una emulsin blanca. Despus de esperar mucho tiempo no se produce la separacin, no ocurre nada. Qu ocurre? Qu hago mal? Se puede hacer biodiesel con este tipo de aceite?" Respuesta: Sigue intentndolo, haz ms pruebas. La prctica lleva a la perfeccin. Mensaje llegado a la lista de correo: Hace falta perseverancia. Al principio no consegua la separacin, se formaba una pasta espesa. Con el tiempo lo consegu, pero quedaba una emulsin. Finalmente consegu que el agua y el biodiesel se separaran casi instantneamente quedando el agua blanca como la leche. He cometido muchos errores. No le dejaba tiempo al medidor de pH para que diera la medida correcta, as
siempre me equivocaba con la cantidad de leja. Tard mucho en corregir mi error. Los medidores de pH se descalibran. Los ms caros tienen botones de calibracin para compensar. Compra disoluciones de calibracin y ajusta el medidor de vez en cuando para que la medida sea correcta. Otro problema era la balanza. Compr una balanza de cocina barata. Meda en gramos y tena una ruedecita para ponerla a cero. Pens que meda bien, Pero estaba muy equivocado! La sustitu por una balanza electrnica, con rango de cero a 400 gr, con incrementos de 0,01 gr. Vena con un peso para comprobar la exactitud. Comparando la nueva balanza con la vieja descubr que lo que yo crea que era 1,75 gr eran en realidad 15,5 gr. -- biobenz, 17 de abril de 2004 Si no lo intentas no lo consigues. Algunas pruebas de calidad caseras ofrecidas por Todd Swearingen de Appal Energy: "Reprocesa un litro del biodiesel terminado como si fuera aceite nuevo. Si aparece ms glicerina sabrs que la primera vez no se complet la reaccin. No es buen combustible. "Fjate en el agua del lavado. La del segundo lavado debe quedar casi limpia; la del tercer lavado debe quedar casi cristalina. "Despus de 24 horas de reposo tras el tercer lavado, el combustible debe estar transparente cuando se pone a la luz en un recipiente de cristal. Si est un poco turbio hay que calentarlo hasta 32 C (90 F) para que se clarifique. "Si se clarifica con un poco de calor ponlo en el coche y ve a visitar a tus padres el fin de semana. "Si supera estas pruebas probablemente tu combustible sea mejor que el biodiesel comercial producido en un reactor contiuo."
Ms pruebas de calidad, esta vez de Aleks Kac: "Los motores diesel necesitan combustible de buena calidad. No puedes llenar el depsito con biodiesel de mala calidad y esperar que el coche siga funcionando sin problemas. Tienes tres enemigos muy peligrosos: la glicerina, el aceite parcialmente convertido, y la leja. La glicerina, los monoglicridos y los diglicridos (procedentes de aceite parcialmente convertido) forman una goma pegajosa en los inyectores y las vlvulas, y la leja puede daar la bomba de inyeccin. El secreto de un buen combustible es una buena preparacin. Debes usar productos puros en las cantidades exactas para asegurarte de que se complete la reaccin. Un buen lavado quita los restos de glicerina y neutraliza la leja. "Tambin hay kits para comprobar la calidad. Me han hablado de un kit usado en la industria del motor para detectar la presencia de glicol en el aceite de motor. Tambin debera detectar la glicerina. "Lo mejor para detectar la glicerina es el test que detecta glicol de etileno en el aceite de motor. Este test se vuelve de color prpura si no hay glicerol. Analiza el biodiesel como si fuera aceite de motor. Lo usan los comerciantes de coches de segunda mano para saber si hay fugas de aceite en el sistema de refrigeracin. El Glicol y el glicerol (glicerina) dan el mismo resultado." (gracias a Martin Reaney) "La cromatografa en papel y la cromatografa en capa fina informan de la razn de conversin. Valorando pueden detectarse restos de leja. "Cuanto ms amarillo sea el biodiesel mejor. Puede tomarse como referencia el color del aceite de girasol al trasluz (con luz del sol). Su color no debe cambiar a naranja con la luz de una bombilla de incandescencia.
r
Biodiesel bueno: amarillo plido como el aceite de girasol, sin cambio de color con luz artificial;

r
Biodiesel aceptable: amarillo plido como el aceite de girasol con luz blanca, y anaranjado luz artificial; Si es ms oscuro es porque tiene mucha glicerina formando mono- y diglicridos. Eso no es bueno para los motores. Si te ocurre esto y sabes que usaste las cantidades correctas, prueba a poner una pizca ms de alcohol la prxima vez; puede que lo pierdas por evaporacin."
El Servicio de Investigacin agrcola de EE.UU. ha adaptado una sofisticada herramienta conocida como Near Infrared spectroscopy, o NIR, para comprobar la calidad del biodiesel. Est ms extendido el cromatgrafo de gas, un dispositivo complejo, difcil de manejar y lento, que necesita productos qumicos especiales. El NIR tambin puede determinar la composicin de los cidos grasos y el contenido de aceite de las semillas. Funciona con luz en vez de productos qumicos, y en menos de un minuto puede informar de si se ha completado la transesterificacin.
Estndares para el biodiesel

Caractersticas de aceites y steres ndices de yodo Estndar de calidad para el combustible de aceite de colza Nmero de cetanos Estndares nacionales para el biodiesel Propiedades de las grasas y aceites como combustibles Propiedades de los steres como combustibles Estndar de EE.UU. -- estndar D6751-02 para biodiesel. Descarga de la web de ASTM, cuesta 30$ (pdf): http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/STORE/ filtrexx40.cgi?U+mystore+mofc8213+-L+D6751+/usr6/ htdocs/astm.org/DATABASE.CART/PAGES/D6751.htm Or: http://snipurl.com/fva4 Estndar europeo -- DIN EN 14214, fecha de publicacin: noviembre de 2003. Combustibles para automocin metilsteres de cidos grasos para motores diesel - requisitos y mtodos de comprobacin. Encargado por Beuth Verlag GmbH (busca "EN 14214")
http://www.beuth.de/index_en.php Estndar CEN (EN 590:1993): http://journeytoforever.org/energiaweb/en590en.htm Pruebas de los estndares: Pruebas para el estndar ASTM D-6751: Analytical Testing Services, Inc. http://wetestit.com/ Harris Testing Laboratories, Inc. http://www.harristestinglab.com/quote/d6751.htm
Usando biodiesel en invierno

Como el diesel mineral, cuando hace fro el biodiesel tambin se enturbia con pequeos cristales de cera que pueden atascar el filtro de combustible. Si hace mucho fro se espesa, queda slido y no fluye por los conductos. El diesel mineral y ciertas clases de biodiesel aguantan el fro mejor que el biodiesel normal. Consejos para usar biodiesel en invierno: Biodiesel en invierno
Biodiesel en motores de gasolina

Los motores de gasolina pueden funcionar con biodiesel como aditivo. Hasta ahora ha dado buenos resultados, pero an es experimental y no hay garantas. Consulta Biodiesel en motores de gasolina
Biocombustibles
Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodiesel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodiesel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base
Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodiesel Biodiesel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodiesel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Calentadores, quemadores y cocinas (ingl) Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre etanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl) Wood gas -- producer gas
El copyright de todos los materiales originales de este sitio web es propiedad de Keith Addison, a no ser que se indique, y solamente pueden ser copiados y distribuidos con fines educativos no comerciales, si se incdica la fuente y se incluye una referencia a la direccin web de Journey to Forever (http://journeytoforever.org/). Toda la informacin se suministra sin garantas de ninguna clase, ni implcitas ni explcitas. Traducido del ingls por Andrs Pinto Negreira.
Biofuels - Food or Fuel?
Food or Fuel?
A common objection to biomass energy production is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops in a hungry world -- even leading to mass starvation in the poor countries. True or not? Not true: at best it's an oversimplification of a complex issue. It just doesn't work that way, and neither does hunger. This is a sound explanation from the Foundation for Alternative Energy (FAE) in Slovakia:
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"A major criticism often levelled against biomass, particularly

En espaol Biocombustibles, biodiesel against large-scale fuel production, is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops, especially in developing countries. The basic argument is that energy-crop programmes compete with food crops in a number of ways (agricultural, rural investment, infrastructure, water, fertilizers, skilled labour etc.) and thus cause food shortages and price increases. However, this so-called 'food versus fuel' controversy appears to have been exaggerated in many cases. The subject is far more complex than has generally been presented since agricultural and export policy and the politics of food availability are factors of far greater importance. The argument should be analysed against the background of the world's (or an individual country's or region's) real food situation of food supply and demand (ever-increasing food surpluses in most industrialized and a number of developing countries), the use of food as animal feed, the under-utilized agricultural production potential, the increased potential for agricultural productivity, and the advantages and disadvantages of producing biofuels.
Biofuels
Fuel alcohol in Brazil

The food shortages and price increases that Brazil suffered a few years ago, were blamed on the ProAlcool programme (fuel
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_food.html (1 de 10)04/12/2006 11:35:40 a.m.
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ethanol). However, a closer examination does not support the view that bioethanol production has adversely affected food production since Brazil is one of the world's largest exporters of agricultural commodities and agricultural production has kept ahead of population growth: in 1976 the production of cereals was 416 kg per capita, and in 1987 -- 418 kg per capita. Of the 55 million ha of land area devoted to primary food crops, only 4.1 million ha (7.5 per cent) was used for sugarcane, which represents only 0.6 per cent of the total area registered for economic use (or 0.3 per cent of Brazil's total area). Of this, only 1.7 million ha was used for ethanol production, so competition between food and crops is not significant. Furthermore, crop rotation in sugarcane areas has led to an increase in certain food crops, while some byproducts such as hydrolyzed bagasse and dry yeast are used as animal feed. Some experts (Goldemberg,1992) believe that 'In fact, the potential for producing food in conjunction with sugarcane appears to be larger than expected and should be explored further'. Food shortages and price increases in Brazil have resulted from a combination of policies which were biased towards commodity export crops and large acreage increases of such crops, hyperinflation, currency devaluation, price control of domestic foodstuffs etc. Within this reality, any negative effects that bioethanol production might have had should be considered as part of the overall problem, not the problem. It is important to mention that developing countries are facing both food and fuel problems. Adoption of agricultural practices should, therefore, take into account this reality and evolve efficient methods of utilising available land and other resources to meet both food and fuel needs (besides other products), e.g., from agroforestry systems." -- From "Renewable Energy", by Emil Bedi, FAE-SZOPK, Bratislava, Slovakia -- the Foundation for Alternative Energy (FAE) is a Slovak non-governmental organisation committed to environmental protection through the promotion of sustainable energy development: Biomass -- See "FOOD OR FUEL?" http://www.seps.sk/zp/fond/dieret/biomass.html For more of Emil Bedi's excellent work, see "Energy today basics" at Hakan Falk's Energy Saving Now website: http://energy.saving.nu/energytoday/basics.shtml See also "Fuel Ethanol and Food Supply", Canadian Renewable Fuels Association:

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Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
http://www.greenfuels.org/ethafood.html
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Starvation?
It is also often said that increased bioenergy use in the developed countries, particularly in the US, would cut US food exports and lead to starvation in the Third World. Aside from lacking the essential analysis of food supply and demand outlined above, this argument leaves out the potential of set-aside land and marginal land, it ignores the large amounts of biomass currently wasted in various ways in the developed countries (from agricultural and forestry residues to commercial food-processing by-products to the huge amounts of waste cooking oil dumped in sewers and landfills, etc), and it relies on a mythical view of the developed nations' role in feeding the world. These are typical objections to biomass energy production: 1. "Any attempt to grow fuel for general use would require a massive increase in crop yields at a time when we are unlikely to be able to grow enough food to feed everyone without affecting other species. To go 'green' in developed countries at the expense of food production may well result in effective genocide in other, less developed countries, even our own poor would not be exempt." 2. "Present food shortages throughout the world call attention to the importance of continuing US exports of corn and other grains for human food to reduce malnutrition and starvation. Expanding ethanol production could entail diverting essential cropland from producing corn needed to sustain human life to producing corn for ethanol factories."
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
Solar box cookers


Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
There is no food shortage

The world already grows more than enough food to feed everyone. About a billion people now don't have enough food to meet basic daily needs, but that's NOT because there's not enough food. There's more food per capita now than there's ever been before -- enough to make everyone fat. There's enough to provide at least 4.3 pounds of food per person a day: two and a half pounds of grain, beans and nuts, about a pound of fruits and vegetables, and nearly another pound of meat, milk and eggs.
People starve because they're victims of an inequitable economic system, not because they're victims of scarcity and overpopulation. It's a myth that most of the food is grown in the rich countries. The US, for instance, is the world's biggest-ever food IMPORTER. "US exports of corn and other grains for human food to reduce malnutrition and starvation" is another myth. Most US grain exports go to feed livestock, not humans. Much of it is also used as feedstock for industry. It can also undercut local food production, leading to less local food security, not more.
Facts
1. The US and the other industrialised countries are the world's major food importers, importing 71% of the total value of food items in world trade (Handbook of International Trade and Development Statistics 1994 (New York and Geneva: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 1995), table 3.2). 2. The US imports about $1.5 billion worth of beef a year (Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO Trade Yearbook 1995, vol. 49 (Rome: FAO, 1996), 160, table 12). 3. The US imports 54% more in farm commodities than it exports (FAO Trade Yearbook 1995, table 6), much of it from countries where the majority lack a healthy diet. The US is in fact the biggest food importer the world has ever seen. See: The Myth of Scarcity http://www.foodfirst.org/pubs/backgrdrs/1998/w98v5n1.html 12 Myths About Hunger http://www.foodfirst.org/pubs/backgrdrs/1998/s98v5n3.html
US grain exports
There are many different fuel crops and many different ways of growing them, from the eco-unfriendly, chemical- and energyintensive industrial farming methods to sustainable methods which conserve or even improve the environment, with equal or higher yields. In the US, the main fuel crops are corn (maize), for ethanol, and
soybeans producing soy oil for biodiesel. These are the crops which it's alleged should not be diverted from "human food to reduce malnutrition and starvation". "We have the ability in the United States to grow the grain to feed the world" -- Allen Anderson, Chairman of the MARC 2000 coalition of agribusiness and transportation interests, testimony before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, April 30, 1998 "Our mission is to feed and nourish a growing world population" -- Archer Daniels Midland, multinational grain trading company, November 22, 1999 "Helping farmers grow a wide variety of goods to feed a growing world" -- Cargill, Inc, multinational grain trading company, November 22, 1999 But research by Mark Muller and Richard Levins of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy reveals a rather different picture:
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For every one ton of US corn exported in 1996 to one of the 25 countries with the world's most serious malnutrition problems (Category 5 countries, with at least 35 percent of the population undernourished), 260 tons were exported to a wealthy Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country. 20 percent of the total US corn crop is exported; twothirds of these exports go directly to the 28 industrial OECD countries, where it is mostly used for feeding animals. 76 percent of the corn used in the US is used for animal feed. Less than three-tenths of one percent of total US corn exports went to the poor Category 5 countries in 1996. Less than three percent of total US corn exports in 1996 went to the 24 Category 4 countries (where undernourishment affects at least 20 percent of the population). More US corn goes to make alcoholic beverages in the US than is exported to feed the hungry in the world's 25 most undernourished countries combined. About one-third of the total US soybean crop is exported; 70 percent of US soybean exports went to 28 industrial OECD countries in 1996.

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No soybeans were exported to Category 5 countries in 1996, while 17.8 million metric tons went to OECD countries. In 1998, a year of record-low soybean prices, the 25 most undernourished countries received less than 0.027 percent of total US soybean exports.
See "Feeding the World?" http://www.iatp.org/foodsec/library/admin/uploadedfiles/ Feeding_the_World_The_Upper_Mississippi_River_.htm "The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that more than a billion bushels of corn went unused last year [2000]." -University of Wisconsin http://www.news.wisc.edu/view.html?get=6810 Fuel Ethanol and Food Supply, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association -- Extensive production of ethanol from grain will not detract from Canadas ability to feed its own citizens and supply large quantities of high-quality grains to export markets. http://www.greenfuels.org/ethafood.html Half of US food goes to waste, 25/11/2004 -- As the US celebrates Thanksgiving, a new study reveals that almost half the food in the country goes to waste... The new study, from the University of Arizona (UA) in Tucson, indicates that a shocking forty to fifty per cent of all food ready for harvest never gets eaten... Not only is edible food discarded that could feed people who need it, but the rate of loss, even partially corrected, could save US consumers and manufacturers tens of billions of dollars each year. http://foodproductiondaily.com/news/ ng.asp?id=56340&n=dh330&c=tzlvsrxywshqwyj
The real causes of hunger

The United Nations Development Programme says the effects of globalisation and increasing economic integration have led to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer in nearly every way. UN statistics provide evidence of the widening gap between rich and poor: In nine years, the income ratio between the top 20% and the bottom 20% has increased from 60:1 to 74:1. Eighty countries have less revenue than they did a decade ago. The
assets of the 200 richest people exceed the combined income of 41% of the world's total population. The assets of the top three billionaires are more than the combined GNP of all least developed countries and their 600 million people. The overall consumption of the richest fifth of the world's people is 16 times that of the poorest fifth. About 840 million people are malnourished. Nearly 340 million women are not expected to survive to age 40. Nearly 160 million children are malnourished. More than 250 million children are working as child labourers. Human Development Report 1999 http://www.undp.org/hdro/report.html UN Human Development Report finds social inequality and poverty increasing worldwide http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/aug1999/un-a06.shtml Of the world's 6 billion people, 2.8 billion live on less than $2 a day, and 1.2 billion on less than $1 a day. Global Poverty Report: Genoa G8 Summit July 2001 http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/library/G8_2001.htm World Development Report 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/wdrpoverty/index.htm The true picture may even be worse -- both the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, which produces the annual Human Development Report, have been accused of massaging the numbers on poverty. "Global Falsehoods: How the World Bank and the UNDP Distort the Figures on Global Poverty" by Michel Chossudovsky, Professor of Economics, University of Ottawa http://www.transnational.org/features/chossu_worldbank.html "World Bank dilutes report -- Agencies claim poverty document was censored" Guardian (London) September 13, 2000 http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4063044,00. html "World Bank cooks poverty statistics" by Chakravarthi Raghavan, Chief Editor of SUNS (South-North Development Monitor), Third World Network Features, August 2000 http://csf.colorado.edu/mail/homeless/2001/msg00289.html Economic growth is projected as the road to overcome global poverty. With economic growth of $100 the rich 20% of the world population pocket $83 and the poorest 20% get $1.40.
Global economic growth is therefore a highly inefficient way to help the global poor. In probably the most comprehensive study to date, Mark Weisbrot, Dean Baker and other researchers at the Center for Economic and Policy Research found that economic growth and rates of improvement in life expectancy, child mortality, education levels and literacy all declined in the era of global corporatization (1980-2000) compared to 1960-1980. "For economic growth and almost all of the other indicators, the last 20 years have shown a very clear decline in progress as compared with the previous two decades... The poorest group went from a per capita GDP growth rate of 1.9 percent annually in 1960-80, to a decline of 0.5 percent per year (1980-2000). By almost every measure, the progress achieved in the two decades of globalization has been considerably less than the progress in the period from 1960 to 1980", especially in the low and middleincome countries. Millions of people who could have escaped a lifetime of poverty under the former rules of market economics under democratic limits were unable to do so under the new rules of global corporate governance. -- The Scorecard on Globalization 1980-2000 - Twenty Years of Diminished Progress, by Mark Weisbrot, Dean Baker, Egor Kraev and Judy Chen July 11, 2001 http://www.cepr.net/globalization/scorecard_on_globalization.htm Wealth extraction causes poverty, and poverty causes hunger. See Poverty and hunger -- The causes of poverty, The myth of scarcity
Fuel AND food

In any event, with most biofuels you remove the energy and are still left with the food -- or "feed" more often (for livestock). With ethanol the feed value is enhanced: the distillers dried grains by-product is more nutritious than the original unprocessed grain (because of the yeast). With biodiesel you're left with the oilseed cake after the oil has been pressed out -- again, depending on what seed is used, this is usually a highly nutritious, high-protein livestock feed. With biofuels you CAN have your cake and eat it. As for poor countries, local production of biofuels from locally grown crops, where appropriate, can cut dependence and cash
expenditure on imported fuels, increase community self-reliance, and provide a spur for local job creation and growth. It can also cut dependence on fuel wood, which is often scarce and causes immense health problems through indoor air-pollution. And, as we've seen above, growing biofuels crops can encourage foodcrop production rather than reducing it. On a related issue, or rather non-issue, see Is ethanol energyefficient?
Biofuels
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Aceite vegetal usado como combustible diesel: Journey to Forever
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Aceite vegetal usado como combustible diesel

Gua para usar el aceite vegetal como combustible diesel Sistemas CAV (Combustible de Aceite Vegetal) Referencias Comparacin del CAV y el biodiesel en Europa Informacin sobre el CAV en Europa Informacin sobre el diesel Grasas y aceites Hay dos alternativas para usar biocombustibles en un motor diesel:
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Producir biodiesel y usarlo, no es necesario modificar el motor. Comprar un sistema CAV para tu coche, o construirte uno, para que el motor pueda funcionar con aceite de cocina usado. Casi no es necesario depurar el aceite, slo llenar el depsito y arrancar.
English version
Biocombustibles
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Funciona bien con aceite vegetal? S, pero tienes que hacerlo todo bien. No es tan fcil como parece por un motivo: el aceite de cocina usado, que suele ser gratuito, hay que procesarlo de todas formas, aunque Elsbett, Alemania menos que el biodiesel. Y despus de purificarlo sigue sin ser tan buen combustible como el biodiesel. Pero sigue leyendo. Puedes hacer funcionar tu coche diesel sin problemas con aceite usado en la cocina. Encontrars dificultades, pero nosotros te ayudaremos a superarlas. Una de las mayores ventajas del biodiesel es que funciona en cualquier motor diesel. Consulta El biodiesel y tu vehculo. (Ms sobre la eleccin entre biodiesel y aceite vegetal.) Lo mismo se dice muchas veces sobre los sistemas CAV: "Este kit listo para instalar permite que cualquier motor diesel funcione con aceite vegetal."
Biodiesel en Honk Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de
http://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_cav.html (1 de 23)04/12/2006 11:35:49 a.m.
nitrgeno (ingl)
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Es eso cierto? S, pero cunto tiempo durar el motor? Los motores diesel duran mucho, hasta medio milln de millas o ms, y hay muy pocos estudios minuciosos y a largo plazo sobre los efectos que produce el aceite de cocina en los motores. Lo que est claro, sin embargo, es que decir "funcionar en cualquier motor diesel" es una exageracin.
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Glicerina (ingl)
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Alimento o combustible (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible
Unos aceites son mejores que otros. Unos motores son ms adecuados que otros. Unas bombas de inyeccin fucionan mejor que otras. Algunos sistemas electrnicos de distribucin de combustile no toleran los aceites vegetales. Hay dudas sobre el uso de aceites vegetales en los motores de inyeccin directa. Tambin hay dudas sobre la utilizacin como combustible para motores del aceite usado en la cocina.
Calefactores, calentadores y cocinas (ingl) Etanol (ingl)
(Consulta La controversia TDI-CAV) El problema principal es la mayor viscosidad (mucho mayor) del aceite vegetal respecto al diesel normal proveniente del petrleo. Hay que calentar el aceite para que los inyectores puedan pulverizarlo bien. Si no est bien pulverizado no arde bien y forma depsitos en los inyectores y en los cilindros, empeora el rendimiento, aumenta las emisiones contaminantes y acorta la vida del motor. Eso tambin ocurre con aceites inadecuados, por ejemplo aquellos con un alto ndice de yodo, como el de linaza (Consulta ndices de yodo), que pueden formar restos epxicos duros, malos para los motores. "Con las altas temperaturas que suele haber en los motores de combustin interna el proceso se acelera y el motor puede engomarse rpidamente con el aceite polimerizado." De "Aceite de Cocina Usado Como Sustituto del Diesel": http://www.shortcircuit.com.au/warfa/paper/paper.htm Las ceras pueden atascar el sistema de distribucin de combustible, especialmente en climas fros. Los aceites usados pueden contener cidos que corroen la bomba de inyeccin e impurezas que pueden formar sedimentos slidos y ms corrosin.
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"En otoo de 2001 por primera vez result daada

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Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
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Compost
La rueda de la vida
Small farms
The way forward
una bomba de inyeccin de combustible. El vehculo haba funcionado sin problemas durante dos aos. Haba una erosin grave de las piezas de acero endurecido, que no estn preparadas para soportar condiciones cidas." El problema era un Vista lateral de una bomba de aceite de soja ms cido inyeccin, compleja, cara que el aceite que se usa normalmente en alimentacin. BioCar (pgina alemana): http://biocar.de/info/warnung1.htm Aqu hay ms: "El aceite de colza ... slo puede utilizarse como aditivo para el diesel, en una proporcin del 25%." -- De "Resultados de las Pruebas del Aceite de Colza Semirefinado en Motores y Vehculos": http://www.regional.org.au/au/gcirc/6/214.htm Y ms an: "El aceite de colza desacidificado se puede usar como combustible en un motor diesel. El aceite desgomado y el aceite de colza sin refinar no son adecuados para usarlos como combustibles porque no arden bien." De "Funcionamiento de un Motor Diesel con Aceite de Colza Sin Refinar": http://ss.jircas.affrc.go.jp/engpage/jarq/33-2/Togashi/togashi.html No obstante, la experiencia est demostrando que los sistemas CAV son una alternativa prctica con muchas ventajas porque a veces es ms barato que producir biodiesel y adems se gasta menos energa que en la produccin de biodiesel. Es importantsimo que el aceite sea de buena calidad y que se encuentre en buen estado; mucho ms importe cuando se utiliza directamente que cuando se convierte en biodiesel. Estudia cuidadosamente la informacin de esta pgina, as como las calidades y propiedades de los aceites en la pgina Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales. Para que un sistema CAV (Combustible de Aceite Vegetal) funcione bien debe aplicarse a un motor adecuado con una bomba de inyeccin adecuada. El clima es importante porque influye mucho en el funcionamiento de estos sistemas. Si
Biocombustibles
Solar box cookers
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Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses

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aciertas en tus decisiones tu coche funcionar perfectamente. La siguiente tabla es una gua para usar el aceite vegetal en un motor diesel sin daarlo ni acortar su vida til.
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Gua para usar el aceite vegetal como combustible diesel

Clave + adecuado menos adecuado CAV = Combustible de Aceite Vegetal (nuevo, sin cocinar) AUC = Aceite Usado en la Cocina (ha sido utilizado para cocinar, por ejemplo, en una freidora, inluye las grasas animales) -- Algunos datos han sido proporcionados por Ed Beggs de Neoteric Biofuels, Inc. http://www.biofuels.ca Tipo de motor IDI (inyeccin indirecta) + DI (inyeccin directa) Los motores ms modernos toleran peor el CAV. (Consulta La controversia TDI-CAV) Tipo de inyeccin inyeccin mecnica + inyeccin electrnica bomba de inyeccin lineal + Rotatoria Las bombas de inyeccin Lucas/CAV fallan mucho cuando se utilizan con aceite vegetal. Tipo de aceite CAV + AUC Las brassicas (colza, canola -- aceites muy lubricantes) parecen ser de los mejores, o al menos hay ms informacin disponible sobre su uso como combustibles. Tratamiento previo El aceite sin refinar debe ser desgomado y desacidificado. El aceite no debe contener agua (especialmente el AUC).
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Se recomienda la desacidificacin del AUC, que adems debe ser filtrado antes de ponerlo en el depsito del coche. Filtrado (en el sistema de distribucin de combustible) El filtro debe ser de 10 micrones, preferiblemente 5 micrones o menos. El aceite debe ser filtrado segn las especificaciones de la bomba de inyeccin. Es recomendable poner filtros adicionales. El ltimo filtro debe ser del mismo tipo que el filtro original. Temperatura de inyeccin del CAV En los motores IDI, el aceite debe ser precalentado hasta 70-80 C (160-180 F). Las investigaciones indican que los motores de inyeccin directa requieren temperaturas de inyeccin mucho mayores para una pulverizacin eficiente del combustible, pero esas temperaturas pueden causar otros problemas. Los motores de inyeccin directa pueden funcionar con sistemas de dos depsitos, pero no es recomendable. Los sistemas de calentamiento que usan el refrigerante del motor pueden no ser fiables. Mantenimiento Revisar los inyectores y limpiarlos cuando sea necesario. Revisar la cmara de combustin y limpiarla cuando sea necesario. Revisar el aceite lubricante. Revisar y cambiar los filtros del combustible con frecuencia, especialmente en climas fros. Combustible para el arranque y la parada Biodiesel o diesel mineral (de buena calidad). Las propiedades como disolventes del biodiesel y del diesel mineral de buena calidad ayudan a limpiar la suciedad acumulada. Consulta: Calidad del combustible http://www.dieselpage.com/art0599fq.htm Mejora de la lubricidad http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/Lubricity.PDF Frecuencia del ciclo arranque-parada Probablemente sea mejor una menor frecuencia, especialmente en climas fros. Carga plena carga + sin carga Mtodo Dos depsitos, arranque y parada con biodiesel o diesel mineral,
y precalentamiento del CAV + + Un depsito y precalentamiento + CAV sin precalentamiento
Sistemas CAV (Combustible de Aceite Vegetal)

Aparte del sistema Elsbett, los mejores sistemas tienen dos depsitos, uno para el aceite y otro para diesel mineral o biodiesel. Hay que arrancar el motor con diesel o con biodiesel mientras el aceite del otro depsito se calienta por lo menos hasta 70 C (160 F) usando el refrigerante del motor o un calentador elctrico (o los dos mtodos a la vez). Cuando se ha calentado bastante se corta el suministro de diesel al motor y empieza a bombearse el aceite. Unos minutos antes de parar el motor se cambia otra vez, sustituyendo el aceite por diesel como al principio. Esto se hace para que el aceite salga del sistema de distribucin de combustible porque al enfriarse atascara los filtros y los inyectores. Es recomendable aadir filtros adicionales. Elsbett, Alemania -Modificacin profunda del motor para que pueda funcionar con aceite vegetal -- incluye inyectores nuevos, bujas, intercambiadores de calor, todo lo necerario. Este sistema es realmente profesional. Los motores modificados por Elsbett funcionan con aceite vegetal, diesel mineral, biodiesel, o cualquier mezcla de los tres. Sirve para bombas de inyeccin directa, pero no para las bombas rotatorias Lucas-CAV. Garanta de un ao para las piezas y tambin para cualquier dao probado producido por el uso del CAV (Combustible de Aceite Vegetal). La garanta se limita al acetite nuevo (que no ha pasado por la freidora) y el aceite de colza, pero no cubre el aceite de cocina usado. http://www.elsbett.com/ http://www.eco-tuning.com/ Email: info@elsbett.com Tambin exporta kits. Puedes rellenar un formulario electrnico para saber la viabilidad, los precios, etc. Precios apartir de 800 euros (900 US$). http://elsbett.com/emotanfr.htm Jim Burke cuenta cmo instal un kit Elsbett de un solo
depsito en su VW A3 Jetta TDI de 1998: http://ctbiodzl.freeshell.org/votdi.html Fotografas: http://ctbiodzl.freeshell.org/vo_conversion.html Taller Elsbett -- Visita a un taller de Elsbett con el ingeniero de Elsbett Alexander Noack, por Rachel Burton de Piedmont Biofuels en Pittsboro, Carolina del Norte, EE.UU., 22 de marzo de 2004: http://www.biofuels.coop/blog/archives/000066.html El motor Elsbett -- El motor diesel-CAV de tres cilindros diseado por Ludwig Elsbett, era un motor multicombustible muy avanzado, y el precursor de todos los motores diesel de inyeccin directa que se construyen ahora. Detalles: http://www.elsbett.com/gd/eteche.htm Ms detalles: http://www.elsbett.com/gd/etech.htm Artculo sobre un Mercedes equipado con el asombroso motor Elsbett (archivo grfico de 120 kb). BioCar -- Sistema de dos depsitos de G. Lohmann en Munich, Alemania. El sistema patentado "BioCar" incluye un ordenador que controla los flujos de combustible y las temperaturas, y permite el uso de aceite vegetal con las bombas de inyeccin ms modernas. Puede instalarlo "cualquiera que sea capaz de leer y soldar". Consulta la "lista de tipos de vehculos que ya han sido convertidos". Precio, incluido el ordenador, desde 1.280 euros (1.250 US$). http://www.biocar.de/home.htm Neoteric Biofuels Inc. en la Columbia Britnica, Canada -Los sistemas de dos depsitos G3 Max de Neoteric disponen de varias opciones; su precio bsico es de 699 US$. Este sistema tiene calentadores elctricos, depsitos de calentamiento y bombas para el aceite.
http://www.biofuels.ca Kit de conversin Greasel "Kit listo para instalar que permite que cualquier motor diesel funcione con aceite de cocina usado. La clave para que un motor diesel funcione con aceite vegetal es la temperatura. Este sistema tiene un depsito y un conducto calentados con el refrigerante caliente del motor." Cualquier motor? Puede ser, pero mira ms abajo. Mira tambin La controversia TDI-CAV. Precio desde 365$. http://www.greasel.com Diesel-Therm -- Sistema ATG, "Productos innovadores y soluciones para los motores diesel, kit de conversin para usar aceite vegetal." Tiene un calentador elctrico de flujo continuo. http://www.diesel-therm.com/veggiekit.htm TbyPressen en Suecia: Skeppsta Maskin AB veg-conversion. Sistema de dos depsitos con una electrovlvula controlada por un termostato para cambiar al aceite despus de la puesta en marcha y volver al diesel antes de parar. Calentamiento elctrico del aceite, filtros adicionales para el combustible, etc. Tambin pequeas prensas para aceite, informacin sobre sistemas CAV, foro y enlaces a otros foros y pginas. http://www.oilpress.com/drive_your_diesel.htm Calentadores para combustible, filtros
Referencias
Informe de un estudio realizado por el European Advanced Combustion Research for Energy from Vegetable Oils (ACREVO) sobre el empleo de aceite vegetal como combustible diesel. Investiga las caractersticas de combustin del aceite pulverizado en condiciones de gran presin y gran temperatura. Es muy interesante, merece una lectura minuciosa (4.400
palabras). http://www.nf-2000.org/secure/Fair/F484.htm "Sustitucin del diesel por aceites vegetales sin refinar", Michael Allen, profesor invitado, universidad Prince of Songkla, Tailandia: Qu ocurre cuando se intenta arrancar un motor diesel con aceite de palma sin refinar. "Aceite de Palma Como Combustible Para Maquinaria Agrcola: Comparacin con el Combustible Diesel", por Gumpon Prateepchaikul y Teerawat Apichato de la universidad Prince of Songkla, Tailandia. Pruebas comparativas en motores agrcolas de inyeccin indirecta comparando el diesel con el aceite de palma refinado, con funcionamiento contnuo y una carga mxima constante del 75% a una velocidad de 2.200 rpm. "Aceites Renobables y Motores Diesel Como Partes del Diseo de Sistemas Sostenibles" por Ed Beggs de Neoteric Biofuels -- "Son los aceites renobables, usados como combustibles en los motores, partes factibles tcnica y econmicamente del diseo de sistemas sostenibles, tanto en los pases en vas de desarrollo como en los ya desarrollados?" -Tesis doctoral de 196 pginas, archivo acrobat, 6 Mb: http://www.biofuels.ca/ebeggsthesis.pdf "Technical Overview of Vegetable Oil as a Transportation Fuel", 1991, Charles L. Peterson y Dick L. Auld, Departmento de Ingeniera Agrcola, Universidad de Idaho -- mira la seccin sobre Sudfrica y motores de inyeccin indirecta: Fuls. J., Hawkins, C.S. y Hugo, F.J.C., 1984, "Rendimiento de un Tractor con Aceite de Girasol Como Combustible", Revista de Investigacin en ingeniera agrcola 30:29-35.(archivo acrobat, 2.152 kb): http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/ reports/gen/19910101_gen-292.pdf Uso de Aceites Vegetales Sin Refinar Como Sustitutos del Diesel -- Universidad de Idaho: "... la mayora de las investigaciones con aceites sin refinar han demostrado que se reduce la vida del motor por la polimerizacin en los cilindros y espesamiento del lubricante, empeora el rendimiento y puede haber un fallo repentino y catastrfico..." http://www.uidaho.edu/bae/biodiesel/rawoils.html Using Unmodified Vegetable Oils as a Diesel Fuel Extender -- A Literature Review por Sam Jones y Charles L. Peterson, Universidad de Idaho, Septiembre de 2002: "En
pruebas de larga duracin se producen daos en el motor o hay problemas de mantenimiento... Los resultados de los estudios indican que hay riesgos potenciales como restos carbonizados en los inyectores, fallos en el sistema de combustible y contaminacin del aceite lubricante (Pratt, 1980) cuando se utilizan aceites vegetales como combustibles alternativos... Las pruebas en motores demuestran que el motor se carboniza menos si el aceite se calienta antes de la combustin. La carbonizacin tambin es distinta con aceites que tienen parecida viscosidad, as que la composicin del aceite es un factor importante." Informe de 4.600 palabras. (documento de Word, 56 kb): http://www.uidaho.edu/bae/biodiesel/ raw%20vegetable%20oils_literature%20review.doc Comparacin del aceite de colza, el biodiesel hecho de aceite de colza y el diesel mineral -- Emisiones y estimacin de los efectos medioambientales, por Jrgen Krahl, Axel Munack, Mfit Bahadir, Leon Schumacher y Nancy Elser, 1996. Es un informe sobre las emisiones del aceite de colza y del biodiesel producido con ese aceite estudiadas segn el test US FTP-75 de EE.UU., del que realizaron 13 pruebas, y el europeo ECE-15, del que realizaron 5 pruebas. Las emisiones han sido clasificadas y comparadas con las del diesel mineral en diferentes tipos de motor diesel. La seccin 2 sobre los procedimientos de prueba del motor y la seccin 3, "Efectos medioambientales de los principales gases procedentes de la combustin", merecen ser ledas. "Sustitucin del Diesel por Aceite de Cocina Usado" -Artculo divulgativo de 6.500 palabras de Phillip Calais, Ciencias Medioambientales, Universidad de Murdoch, Perth, Australia, pcalais@ieee.org, y AR (Tony) Clark, Western Australian Renewable Fuels Association Inc, ar.clark@bigpond. com: http://www.shortcircuit.com.au/warfa/paper/paper.htm "Conversin del Mazda 1990 2.0L diesel station wagon para que funcione con aceite de cocina usado", por Tony Clark: http://www.shortcircuit.com.au/warfa/WVOMazdaDiesel.htm Fotografas del coche: http://www.shortcircuit.com.au/warfa/warfaPictures.htm "Biodiesel: el Uso de los Aceites Vegetales y Sus Derivados Como Combustibles Diesel Alternativos", G. Knothe, R.O. Dunn, y M.O. Bagby, en Combustibles y Productos Qumicos de la Biomasa. Washington, D.C.: Sociedad Americana de Qumica.
Acrobat file, 912kb MS Word file, 212kb "Funcionamiento de un Motor Diesel Usando Aceite de Colza Sin Refinar", Chiyuki Togashi, Departmento de ingeniera agrcola, escuela de agricultura de Miyagi, y Jun-ichi Kamide, Facultad de agricultura, universidad de Yamagata, Japn. Informe de las pruebas con aceite de colza sin refinar, aceite desacidificado y aceite desgomado. http://ss.jircas.affrc.go.jp/engpage/jarq/33-2/Togashi/togashi.html "Resultados de las Pruebas de Aceite de Colza Semirefinado en Motores y Vehculos", Kevin P. McDonnell, Shane M. Ward y Paul B. McNulty, Escuela Universitaria de Dubln, Departamento de Ingeniera agrcola y de los alimentos, Dubln, Irlanda. http://www.regional.org.au/au/gcirc/6/214.htm Informacin general: "Aceite vegetal en vez de diesel -Un combustible alternativo?" -- Sitio de Stephan Helbig. Incluye detalles sobre la modificacin de motores para usar CAV. http://people.freenet.de/sthl/poel/vegoil.htm Sustitucin del diesel por aceite vegetal -- preguntas frecuentes http://people.freenet.de/sthl/poel/VegFAQ.htm Eignung von aufbereiteten Altfetten zum Betrieb eines Dieselmotors Dipl. Ing. Olaf Soyk, 1999, 145 pginas -- the "Biocar thesis". Archivo acrobat, 1.305 Kb. En alemn: biofuel_library/diplomarbeit_soyk.pdf Grficas del archivo anterior, con algunos comentarios en ingls: http://www.vegburner.co.uk/biocar.html Biocar: http://biocar.de/ Conversin del TDI de Jim Burke -- "Debido al encarecimiento continuado del biodiesel, he decidido modificar mi Jetta TDI del 98 para que funcione con aceite vegetal. El precio del biodiesel a aumentado un 40% en el ltimo ao. Elsbett vende un kit de conversin para los TDI. Quemando aceite de cocina usado debera recuperar el coste del kit en un ao." http://ctbiodzl.freeshell.org/votdi.html "Research into Biodiesel Kinetics and Catalyst Development", por Adam Karl Khan, departamento de
ingeniera qumica, Universidad de Queensland, 17 de mayo de 2002: informacin til sobre el CAV (Combustible de Aceite Vegetal)-- archivo acrobat, 432 Kb: http://www.cheque.uq.edu.au/ugrad/chee4001/ CHEE400102/Adam_Khan_Thesis.pdf Comparacin de Combustibles Para el Transporte -Informe final (EV45A/2/F3C) para el Australian Greenhouse Office en la segunda fase del estudio de las Emisiones de los Combustibles Alternativos para Vehculos Pesados, por Tom Beer, Tim Grant, Geoff Morgan, Jack Lapszewicz, Peter Anyon, Jim Edwards, Peter Nelson, Harry Watson y David Williams -CSIRO asociado con la Universidad de Melbourne. Parsons Australia Pty Ltd and Southern Cross Institute of Health Research. http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/index.html La primera parte del estudio es un resumen de las caractersticas principales de cada combustible, la segunda est formada por captulos detallados sobre cada uno de los combustibles. Resumen - (archivo acrobat 186 Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/ execsummary.pdf Canola, parte 1 - (archivo acrobat 12 Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/1ch5. pdf Canola, parte 2 - (archivo acrobat 24 Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/2ch5. pdf El informe Ricardo: "UK Department for Transport Biofuels Evaluation - Informe Final del Programa de Pruebas Para Evaluar las Emisiones del CAV en Vehculos Diesel", 7 de nobiembre de 2003, por Diance Lance y Jon Anderson, de Ricardo Consulting Engineers. El CAV contamina mucho ms que el combustible con poco azufre (ULSD - Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel): "El CAV emite un 250% ms de HC y un 420% ms de CO que el diesel con poco azufre en el VW Passat, y en el Peugeot 106 emite un 170% ms y un 60% ms de HC y de CO, respectivamente." Otras emisiones son an mayores. Parece que este informe ha tenido un efecto negativo sobre la actitud del gobierno britnico respecto al CAV. Ha sido muy criticado. Lee ms abajo los comentarios de Niels Ans, del Folkecenter for Renewable Energy de Dinamarca. Informe Ricardo, archivo acrobat, 2,1 Mb: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/ documents/page/dft_roads_027622.pdf Por qu el informe Ricardo es otro informe intil -http://journeytoforever.org/es/biodiesel_cav.html (12 de 23)04/12/2006 11:35:49 a.m.
Niels Ans, del Folkecenter for Renewable Energy de Dinamarca, da argumentos contra las conclusiones del informe Ricardo. Este artculo ayuda a comprender el funcionamiento del CAV. 2.100 palabras Examen del aceite vegetal como combustible para el transporte - experiencias y posibilidades, por Darren Hill. Un examen crtico del informe Ricardo: http://www. vegburner.co.uk/examppo.htm "Aceite Vegetal Como Combustible" por Darren Hill -- Es un reportaje del tamao de un libro. El motor diesel, teora del uso del aceite como combustible, calentamiento del aceite, biodiesel, micro-emulsiones y mezclas, diseo de motores para aceite vegetal, los tipos de aceites y su filtrado, fuentes de suministro. Darren acepta augerencias de los lectores. http://www.vegburner.co.uk/report.html Base de datos CAV -- para vehculos que estn funcionando con combustible CAV (Combustible de Aceite Vegetal), slo o mezclado con diesel. Los usuarios pueden aportar informacin sobre su vehculo. Todas las experiencias son bienvenidas. El objetivo es averiguar qu vehculos son ms adecuados en funcin del kilometraje y de la calidad del combustible. http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/fuelsdatabase/database/ index.php Standardisierung von Rapsl als Kraftstoff Untersuchungen zu Kenngrben, Prfverhafen und Grenzwerten, por Edgar Remmele, tesis sobre el aceite vegetal como combustible. Las pginas 144-146 tratan del efecto del cobre en los vegetales. Archivo acrobat, 1,4 Mb (en alemn): http://tumb1.biblio.tu-muenchen.de/publ/diss/ww/2002/remmele. pdf Uso del aceite de jatropha como combustible -- Una seleccin de documentos interesantes del sitio web de Jatropha, adems de otra informacin sobre los usos y beneficios del maravilloso rbol Jatropha curcas. Mira en "Literature", en el men de la izquierda: http://www.jatropha.org/ Aceite de pongamia usado como combustible en la India: http://www.goodnewsindia.com/Pages/content/discovery/honge. html
Comparacin del CAV y el biodiesel en Europa

En el norte de Europa se est investigando mucho con aceite vegetal como combustible, y all se puede encontrar mucha informacin interesante, pero ten cuidado. Algunos norteeuropeos simplemente llenan el depsito y arrancan, sin sistema de dos depsitos, sin precalentamiento, sin ninguna modificacin, y aseguran que recorren grandes distancias sin problemas. Puede ser, pero mira ms abajo. Debes tener en cuenta que suelen utilizar aceite nuevo, del que no ha pasado por la freidora, normalmente de colza, uno de los mejores aceites para usar como combustible. Un viejo Mercedes IDI diesel puede soportarlo, pero otros coches probablemente no. Tambin hay mucha desinformacin, e informacin errnea, especialmente sobre la comparacin entre CAV y biodiesel. Un caballero del norte de Europa mand un mensaje a la Lista de correo de los Biocombustibles que caus burlas y sorpresa, y algo de enfado. Promova el uso de "aceites vegetales puros", pero desconoca el uso correcto del CAV, y aadi algunos disparates sobre el biodiesel para defender su postura: "El biodiesel es aceite vegetal alterado qumicamente. La produccin de biodiesel es muy costosa y necesita mucha energa, ya que sustituye la glicerina por metanol e intervienen otros productos qumicos, haciendo que el producto final sea venenoso e igual de peligroso que el diesel fsil." Le enseamos las pruebas hechas en EE.UU. que demuestran que el biodiesel es "menos txico que la sal de mesa, ms biodegradeable que el azcar", del Estudio del Departmento de Energa de EE.UU., de la Universidad de California en Davis, que dice que las emisiones de biodiesel tienen 93,6% menos riesgo de producir cancer que las de diesel mineral. Tambin le enseamos esta fotografa, y otros estudios que demuestran que la produccin de biodiesel no es tan costosa como l dice. Cuando le pedimos que demostrara lo que estaba diciendo no dio argumentos y se empe en tener razn, y finalmente abandon la lista de correo. Esas historias sobre los horrores del biodiesel son frecuentes en el norte de Europa, especialmente en sitios web que promueven
el CAV. Parece que el motivo es la clasificacin que se hace en Alemania de los riesgos de contaminacin del agua, donde el riesgo de contaminacin por aceite de colza no est considerado, mientras que el biodiesel est clasificado como riesgo de clase 1, y el diesel fsil como riesgo de clase 2 (que es peor que la clase 1). Slo se refiere al riesgo de contaminacin del agua, y no a otros riesgos ni a la toxicidad. Un vertido de biodiesel es menos problemtico que un vertido de aceite porque el aceite vegetal se pega a todo formando una capa, igual que el aceite mineral. En cambio el biodiesel se utiliza para limpiar vertidos de petrleo en las costas. En Norte Amrica no est clasificado como un producto peligroso. "El biodiesel es un compuesto 'fcilmente biodegradable' conforme al standard EPA (EPA, 1982) y se degrada relativamente deprisa en el medio acutico... El biodiesel puede acelerar la degradacin del diesel mineral. Cuanto mayor sea la proporcin de biodiesel en una mezcla de biodiesel y diesel mineral, ms deprisa se degrada la mezcla. En estas mezclas los microorganismos degradan el biodiesel y diesel fsil al mismo tiempo y casi a la misma velocidad... el aceite de colza y el de soja tienen un porcentaje de degradacin un poco menor. Su mayor viscosidad puede limitar su solubilidad, y por tanto su biodegradabilidad." -- De "Biodegradabilidad del Biodiesel en el Medio Acutico", por Xiulin Zhang, Charles L. Peterson, Daryl Reece, Gregory Mller, Randall Haws, Universidad de Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA. http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/reports/mar/ mar-009.pdf Esto ha sido confirmado por otros estudios. Encontars ms cuentos como ese en los sitios web listados ms abajo. Aqu hay otro: "El biodiesel procede de un proceso qumico y es mucho ms caro que el aceite vegetal. Menos unos pocos vehculos nuevos, la mayora no funciona bien con biodiesel. La mayora de los vehculos diesel deben ser modificados para garantizar que funcionarn con biodiesel. El problema es el deterioro de las piezas de plstico y goma que estn en contacto con el combustible. Si se utiliza biodiesel en un motor que no ha sido adaptado puede haber fugas porque disuelve y debilita las piezas del sistema de combustible. Cuando se utiliza aceite vegetal sin tratar, puro, no ocurren estas cosas." -- De Diesel-Therm. http://www.diesel-therm.com/
Eso de que est "sin tratar" es un mito -- La mayora de los aceites tienen que ser desgomados y desacidificados, que tambin son tratamientos qumicos, y en Europa se procesan en factoras centralizadas, tanto los aceites para uso alimentario como los que sirven como combustibles. Son muy pocos los tipos de aceite que se pueden utilizar como combustibles sin un tratamiento previo. (Consulta "Sustitucin del diesel por aceites vegetales sin refinar".) La introduccin en Europa del diesel pobre en azufre hace unos diez aos caus daos graves a los sistemas de distribucin de combustible de los motores. Todos los fabricantes se vieron obligados a mejorar sus diseos, hacindolos adecuados tambin para el biodiesel. En efecto, ningn coche fabricado en Europa en los ltimos diez aos se estropea por usar biodiesel. Todo el diesel que se vende en Francia contiene entre 2% y 5% de biodiesel (en parte para corregir la falta de lubricidad del diesel pobre en azufre), y los coches europeos pueden usarlo sin problemas. Consulta: Stanadyne White Paper on diesel fuel -- "El diesel con poco azufre necesita aditivos para conservar su lubricidad": http://biodiesel_stana.html Si tienes dudas comprueba la informacin disponible en nuestra pgina de informacin sobre biodiesel en internet y frmate tu propia opinin. Un experto alemn compar el CAV con el biodiesel: Comparacin del aceite vegetal puro y el biodiesel como combustibles xxx CAV biodiesel Produccin unidades descentralizada, industriales principio pequeas prensas grandes y centralizadas Medio ambiente biodegradacin muy rpida lenta peligro de contaminacin del no pequeo agua toxicidad para los poca o ninguna txico humanos Sociedad
estrategia logstica transporte ingresos econmicos para la regin
pequea, descentralizada simple distancias cortas abundantes
grande, centralizada compleja distancias largas escasos
-- De "Comparacin del Aceite Vegetal Puro y el Biodiesel Como Combustibles" del Profesor E. Schrimpff, Fachhochschule Weihenstephan, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas, "la mayor universidad 'verde' de ciencias aplicadas en Alemania". http://jatropha.org/p-o-engines/svo-bd-characteristics.htm
No tiene ninguna base, es un disparate sin sentido. La produccin de biodiesel no est limitada a "grandes complejos industriales" (miles de personas lo producen en su casa). El aceite vegetal no se puede usar sin haberlo tratado antes, y en Europa normalmente se produce en factoras centralizadas. El CAV (Combustible de Aceite Vegetal) no se biodegrada "muy deprisa", se degrada ms deprisa el biodiesel. El biodiesel contamina menos el agua, y no es ms txico que el CAV. Otro experto dijo esto en una ocasin: "Queridos amigos, por favor, sed prudentes cuando compareis el CAV con el biodiesel." -- De "Sustitucin del diesel por aceites vegetales sin refinar", Michael Allen, profesor invitado, universidad Prince of Songkla, Tailandia Un miembro de la lista de correo de los biocombustibles lo ve de la siguiente manera: "La comparacin entre CAV y biodiesel es un seudo-argumento que no debera existir. Crea una falsa competitividad entre dos cosas buenas y distrae la atencin del verdadero problema, que es reducir el consumo de combustibles fsiles." Se complementan, son dos buenas alternativas. Ms discusin: Vegetable Oil Based Bio Fuel Choices (hay que ser miembro pra ver esta pgina) http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php? view=19802&list=BIOFUEL Clculos sobre CAV y biodiesel casero (hay que ser miembro para ver estas pginas) http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?
view=22528&list=BIOFUEL http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vegoil-diesel/message/2136 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vegoil-diesel/message/2131 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vegoil-diesel/message/2137 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vegoil-diesel/message/2140
Informacin sobre el CAV en Europa

Algunos de estos sitios tambin aparecen en la seccin "Sistemas CAV" o en "Referencias". Muchos sitios europeos tienen versiones en ingls. Tambin puedes traducilos siguiendo los siguientes enlaces: AltaVista -- World / Translate http://babel.altavista.com/ Google Language Tools http://www.google.com/language_tools Informe de un estudio del European Advanced Combustion Research for Energy from Vegetable Oils (ACREVO) sobre el uso de aceite vegetal como sustituto del diesel. Investiga la combusin del aceite vegetal en condiciones de gran presin y temperatura. Es un estudio excelente, merece una lectura detenida (4.400 palabras). http://www.nf-2000.org/secure/Fair/F484.htm Elsbett, Alemania -- Modificacin profunda para que el motor pueda funcionar con aceite vegetal -- incluye nuevos inyectores, bujas, intercambiadores de calor, todo lo necesario. Este sistema es realmente profesional. Los motores modificados por Elsbett funcionan con aceite vegetal, diesel mineral, biodiesel, o cualquier mezcla de los tres. Sirve para las bombas de inyeccin directa, pero no para las bombas rotatorias Lucas-CAV. Garanta de un ao para las piezas y tambin para cualquier dao probado producido por el uso del CAV. La garanta se limita al aceite nuevo (que no ha pasado por la freidora) y el aceite de colza, pero no cubre el aceite usado en la cocina. http://www.elsbett.com/ http://www.eco-tuning.com/ Email: info@elsbett.com Tambin exporta kits. Puedes rellenar un formulario electrnico para saber la viavilidad, los precios, etc. http://elsbett.com/emotanfr.htm
BioCar -- Sistema de dos depsitos de G. Lohmann, en Munich. El sistema patentado "BioCar" tiene un ordenador que controla los flujos de combustible y las temperaturas, permitiendo el uso de CAV en las bombas de inyeccin ms modernas. Puede instalarlo cualquiera que sepa "leer y soldar". Consulta la "lista de tipos de vehculos que ya han sido convertidos". Este sistema es caro. http://www.biocar.de/home.htm TbyPressen, empresa sueca que fabrica pequeas prensas para aceite, da mucha informacin sobre el CAV, tiene un foro y enlaces a otros foros. Tambin suministra kits de conversin Skeppsta Maskin AB. http://www.oilpress.com/index.html Informacin general: "Aceite vegetal en vez de diesel -Un combustible alternativo?" http://people.freenet.de/sthl/poel/vegoil.htm Aceite vegetal como sustituto del diesel -- Preguntas frecuentes http://people.freenet.de/sthl/poel/VegFAQ.htm Finlandia: 1.800 horas y siete aos con aceite de mostaza en un tractor de granja: http://personal.inet.fi/yritys/ekolaiho/mustarddiesel.html Diesel-Therm -- ATG -- Productos y soluciones innovadoras para vehculos diesel. Tambin suministra kits de conversin para CAV: http://www.diesel-therm.com/ Datenbank des Forums 'Fahren mit Salatl' (Base de datos del foro 'driving with salad oil') -- Esta base de datos alemana contiene informacin de ms de 300 coches que usan aceite vegetal. http://www.poeltech.de/database/ Folkecenter for Renewable Energy, Dinamarca -Tecnologa del aceite vegetal. Modificacin de motores diesel estndar: funcionamiento de los coches con aceite vegetal puro http://www.folkecenter.dk/plant-oil/plant-oil_en.htm kologisch ohne kosteuer -- "He conducido mi coche 12.000 km con aceite de cocina puro... No he tenido que modificarlo en absoluto. He seguido, seguido y seguido... casi 189.000 km." http://www.rerorust.de/
http://valenergol.free.fr http://www.pro-ev.de http://www.fnr.de http://www.pflanzenoelinitiative.de http://www.bioenergie.inaro.de
Informacin sobre el diesel

Cmo funcionan los motores diesel http://www.howstuffworks.com/diesel.htm Motores diesel (Chevron) http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/diesel/L2_6_fs. htm Combustibles diesel -- descripcin tcnica (Chevron) http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/diesel/ L1_toc_fs.htm "As que este es tu primer diesel" http://www.dieselpage.com/art1110fd.htm Cmo romper un motor diesel http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?Breaking %20in%20a%20Diesel%20Engine Sistemas de inyeccin diesel http://www.dieselpage.com/art1110ds.htm Bosch -- Pasado, presente y futuro http://www.dieselpage.com/art0898pf.htm 20 preguntas con Racor http://www.dieselpage.com/art1021ra.htm 20 preguntas con Stanadyne http://www.dieselpage.com/art0898sg.htm Robert Bosch Bomba de inyeccin del tipo VE -- Cmo funciona, ilustraciones. http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw/engine/fi/injpump.html
Grasas y aceites
Grasas y aceites: una explicacin general, por Carl L.
Alsberg y Alonzo E. Taylor, 1928, Food Research Institute, universidad de Stanford , California. Es el primero de una serie de cinco estudios sobre las grasas y los aceites publicados en los aos veinte por el Food Research Institute. Es una buena explicacin escrita de forma comprensible, trata sobre el origen y las propiedades de grasas y aceites, su produccin, la tecnologa, el comercio internacional y otras cosas. La situacin no ha cambiado mucho desde entonces, slo se ha vuelto ms complicada. Es una gua clara que contiene informacin til para cualquiera que produzca biodiesel o que use el aceite directamente (CAV). Oils -- King's American Dispensatory, por Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., y John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898 http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/olea.html Reacciones qumicas de aceites, grasas y productos grasos http://alfa.ist.utl.pt/~fidel/creac/reac.html Grasas y aceites comestibles (1994) -- Libro online (Archivo acrobat, 1,3 Mb): http://www.iseo.org/foodfatsoils.pdf Minor Oil Crops, B.L. Axtell de una investigacin de R.M. Fairman, Intermediate Technology Development Group, Rugby, UK, FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin No. 94, Roma, 1992, ISBN 92-5-103128-2: I Parte - Aceites Comestibles, II Parte Aceites No Comestibles, III Parte - Aceites Esenciales http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5043e/x5043e00.htm Liberty Vegetable Oil Company Ofrece una lista de la composicin y caractersticas de sus aceites -- aceite de almendras dulces, de nuez, de avellana, de soja, aceite oleico de girasol, de Canola, de cacahuete, de girasol, de maz... http:// www.libertyvegetableoil.com/products.html
RENUNCIA DE RESPONSABILIDAD: La informacin de esta pgina se proporciona de buena fe y se ajusta a lo que nosotros sabemos. Se proporciona sin ninguna garanta ni responsabilidad. Journey to Forever no es responsable de ninguna manera de la informacin proporcionada por los sitios web a los que hace referencia.
Biocombustibles
Biblioteca de los biocombustibles (ingl) Proveedores y suministros (ingl) Biodiesel (ingl) Haz tu propio biodiesel Mtodo de Mike Pelly Mtodo base-base Mtodo cido-base Reactores para biodiesel Biodiesel en Hong Kong (ingl) Emisiones de xidos de nitrgeno (ingl) Glicerina (ingl) Informacin sobre biodiesel en internet (ingl) Tienen futuro los diesel? (ingl) Rendimiento y caractersticas de los aceites vegetales (ingl) Lavado El biodiesel y tu vehculo Alimento o combustible? (ingl) Aceite vegetal como combustible Etanol (ingl) Informacin sobre ethanol en internet (ingl) Tiene el etanol eficiencia energtica? (ingl)
El copyright de todos los materiales originales de este sitio web es propiedad de Keith Addison, a no ser que se indique, y solamente pueden ser copiados y distribuidos con fines educativos no comerciales, si se indica la fuente y se incluye una referencia a la direccin web de Journey to Forever (http:// journeytoforever.org/). Toda la informacin se suministra sin garantas de ninguna clase, ni implcitas ni explcitas. Traducido del ingls por Andrs Pinto Negreira.
Heaters, burners and stoves

Waste oil heaters
Roger Sanders' Waste Oil Heater
Site Search
Mother Earth News Waste Oil Heater -original version Instructions in a nutshell Feedback Journey to Forever's MEN Waste Oil Heater Modifications: Bruce Woodford's forced-air waste oil heater
Journey to Forever's forced-air biofuel heater -- Bioheating oil Turk burner Home heating Lamps and stoves Wood fires that fit Improved cookstoves - Rice-husk stoves -- The Manufacture of a Cement Extender from Rice-Husks using a BasketBurner Wood-gas stoves - Cookstoves for schools -- A wood-gas stove made from three tin cans. Charcoal Wood gas -- producer gas Resources Ethanol stove -- "Development of Stove running on low ethanol concentration", Anil K. Rajvanshi , S. M. Patil and Y. H. Shaikh, Nimbkar
Biofuels
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_heaters.html (1 de 9)04/12/2006 11:35:53 a.m.
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Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) -- 80k Acrobat file.
Bioheating oil
We use bioheating oil with Journey to Forever's forced-air biofuel heater To make 60 litres of bioheating oil: Use the single-stage base transesterification method for making biodiesel. Use 3 litres of methanol. Mix it with the usual 3.5 grams of NaOH or KOH equivalent per litre of oil plus the amount indicated by titration. See Mixing the methoxide. Process in the usual way using 20 to 30 litres of vegetable oil, agitate for one hour with temperature maintained at about 55 deg C. This is enough methanol (10-15%) to produce a "split": the glycerin molecule is displaced and replaced by methanol molecules, forming methyl esters. After one hour processing add another 30 or 40 litres of WVO to bring the total to 60 litres. Process for another hour, maintaining heat at 55 deg C. Settle overnight, separate the by-product, use the bioheating oil in your heater or burner. More methyl ester is formed in the second hour after adding the extra WVO, but there will also be much higher amounts of unconverted and partly converted glycerides left than any biodiesel standards will allow -- this fuel is for your heater, NOT for your car! Using the standard amount of lye for 60 litres means that all or most of the Free Fatty Acids are converted to soap and removed with the by-product along with the glycerine. In fact the Free Fatty Acids make quite a good heating fuel when separated from the by-product "cocktail", but not as good as bioheating oil.

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There's no need to take the trouble to wash bioheating oil. Anyway it's probably difficult to wash -- not much soap but lots of half-baked glycerides which act as emulsifiers. There's little or no free methanol left so it should be safe if you want to use it in the type of burner or furnace that has rubber pipes and seals, but we haven't tried that and it might be wise to change the rubber parts for resistant material anyway. Some burners are more sensitive to viscosity than others. Biodiesel is more viscous than petroleum heating oil, and bioheating oil is more viscous than biodiesel, so if biodiesel doesn't work in your furnace then bioheating oil won't either, though in both cases pre-heating the oil might work. This method of making bioheating oil works well, but it's probably a moveable feast -- try adapting it, experiment a bit. All you have to do is get it to split and drop the glycerine. If you can do that at lower temperatures or with shorter processing times the oil will be even cheaper, and please tell us how you did it! If it doesn't split it might be less viscous because of the methanol, but what you'll have is a mixture of WVO, methanol and soap. It might burn quite well because of the methanol, but it probably won't burn the soap properly, it might smoke quite badly and there'll be a build-up of gunky residue in the burner. Reprocess it so you get a split.
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Home heating
See: Waste Oil Heaters Oil-fired furnaces: Frequently Asked Question: "Can I burn bio-diesel in my furnace? I now burn standard fossil fuel oil." Answer: Yes you can, but it depends on the furnace. Some need some adaptation, others don't. Whichever, it must be washed biodiesel -- the methanol in unwashed biodiesel will rot the rubber parts. Biodiesel Heating, by Carol E. Mon, Homepower Magazine, Issue 97, October/November, 2003, p40-44 -- Switching a 30year-old oil-fired furnace to biodiesel for domestic space heating. From Homepower Magazine (purchase issue online):
http://www.homepower.com/ Biodiesel Blends in Space Heating Equipment, by C.R. Krishna, Brookhaven National Laboratory, sponsored by the US Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), December 2001 -- An evaluation of the performance of blends of biodiesel and home heating oil in space heating applications. 32-page Acrobat file, 676kb http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/33579.pdf Low Cost Bioheating Oil Application, by C.R. Krishna, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 2003 (US DOE Contract). Describes combustion tests with soy biodiesel blends in a residential boiler and a commercial boiler. 24 pages, Acrobat file 1.3Mb http://www.pubs.bnl.gov/documents/25436.pdf Combustion Testing of a Bio-diesel Fuel Oil Blend in Residential Oil Burning Equipment, John E. Batey, PE, Energy Research Center, Inc., 2003, for Massachusetts Oilheat Council & National Oilheat Research Alliance -- 59 pages, Acrobat file 176kb http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/ reports/hom/20030801_htg-002.pdf Riello Burners and Bio-fuel -- Synthesis of the experiences with the bio-fuel -- Report on using biodiesel from the Burner Division at Riello's Combustion Research Centre in Italy (with thanks to Damian Dolan) 28kb Acrobat file. Biodiesel Home Heating Experiences, by Myles Twete -Burning 100% biodiesel fuel made from used vegetable oil in a residential oil-fired furnace. http://home.comcast.net/~matwete/biodiesel/ BiodieselHomeHeatingExperiences.htm Alternative fuels furnace forum -- altfuelfurnace Alternative fuels, like SVO (straight vegetable oil, waste vegetable oil), waste motor oil and biodiesel are being successfully burned in adapted residential oil-fired furnace burners such as Arco, R.W. Beckett, Carlin, Ducane, Esso, International, Riello, Slant Finn and Wayne. The forum is a meeting place to exchange information and ideas in adapting residential oil burners that use HHO (home heating oil) to these alternative fuels.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/altfuelfurnace/ Subscribe: altfuelfurnace-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Lamps and stoves

Biodiesel does not travel up a wick very well, like kerosene or heating oil will, so it can't be used for ordinary wick lamps or stoves. However, tests have found that it will travel about 7cm up a wick but not more than that, and the wick should preferably be thick (about 1cm) and loosely wound -- tightly-woven commercial wicks won't work well. Biodiesel also might not work in heating furnaces or stoves, though some models work just fine, and others can be adjusted. BriteLyt Petromax multi-fuel lanterns work just fine with biodiesel. "We are happy to report that the burn-time was over 8 hours, at the highest setting, and you did not have to re-pressurize the lantern as often as you would using other fuel-types. The performance was great, and the lantern was just as bright, and there was NO SMELL. Using the product inside, we noticed no smell at all." The lanterns also work with ethanol. 150CP lanterns, run up to 20 hours,1 pint of fuel, approx 100watts; 500CP lanterns, approx 400-watts. There's a stove-top accessory so you can cook with them too. http://www.britelyt.com/ Message from tvoivozhd to the Homestead mailing list: Several years back we had a discussion on homestead lanterns. I mentioned one that the Cuban exodus brought with them because they could fit their nesting three-pots on top to cook an entire meal simultaneously with very little fuel, and also have light for night-time field or house activities. I had one of those, brand-name Aida which got damaged in a daughter's camping trip and never could replace it, even though I enlisted the help of the German Embassy to find the source. The soul-brothers were first the
Petromax, and now the Brite-Lyt. This has to be the best, brightest, most economical, most useful emergency light in the world. I'm going to get one, including the cooktop unit. These lanterncooktops burn kerosene, quieter, cheaper than a Coleman, with about twice the candlepower.
Cooktop unit
Since they burn kerosene they are a lot safer than the white gas Coleman fuel, and you don't have to worry about the light ends evaporating out and clogging up the fuel jet. They are expensive, but in my experience well worth every penny of the approximate $150 price, including the $50 cooktop. Mine had the best, easiest to use, most durable ignitor built-in that I have ever seen---I have one of those sleazy, hard to attach, hard to operate, ineffective Coleman ignitors---you really have to buy a separate piezoelectric for the Colemans, and of course since it is not attached, you will not be able to find it or insert it when the power goes out.
Stoves
We've been using biodiesel in this kerosene pressure stove for nearly two years. See one burning biodiesel here. These stoves are common in 3rd World countries ("roarers"), but they're rare in industrialised countries. Ours came from India and it cost US$8. Here are some stoves you can buy on the Internet, but not for $8. BriteLyt Multi-Fuel Brass Pressure Stove. Same family as the BriteLyt-Petromax multifuel pressure lantern, which can burn biodiesel or ethanol (see above, lamps). The stove has an adjustable burner, with preheater and lantern parts and a pressure indicator. Preheats in same manner as the BriteLyt-Petromax lantern. Empty weight 4lbs, fuel capacity approx. 1 qt., 8K-10K BTUs, runs 56 hours, on oil base fuels. Polished Brass, Matte Finish on Brass, or Nickel Plated Brass, price: $75.00. http://britelyt.groupee.net/stoves.htm
Brass Pressure Stove -- 8.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches tall, disassembles quickly, produces around 8,000 btu, runs on kerosene or diesel fuel. Available in the US via the Internet, priice $48. No wicks, it holds a little more than a pint of fuel and will run 34 hours on one tankful. http://www.stpaulmercantile.com/buttrfly.htm Survival Supply Canada Inc., Kerosene Brass Pressure Stove, compact, about 9,000 btu, $89.00 http://www.survivalpro.com/catalog/product_info.php? products_id=45 Try these companies in India: Lovsons Exports -- Kerosene pressure stoves, lanterns, blowlamps, parts http://www.lovson.com/household-plastics.html Ruchi Brand Kerosene Brass Pressure Stove http://www.roleximpex.com/kerosene-stoves-petromax.html Kerosene Pressure Stoves http://www.surgicalshop.com/hospital_medical_supplies/ kerosene_stoves_lamps.html Kerosene pressure stoves, single burner 1 Litre., 1.5 Litres, 3 Litres, Double burner 2 Litres, Four burner 2 Litres. http://narang.com/miscellaneous_surgical_medical_products/ kerosene-stove.php XGK Expedition Stove: "This stove is tough enough to handle any fuelwhite gas, kerosene and even poor quality diesel, to name a few." http://www.msrcorp.com/prod/prod_stoves1.htm WhisperLite Internationale 600: Multi-fuel burning lightweight camping stoves -- use MSR White Gas, kerosene, jet fuel or auto gas. http://www.msrcorp.com/prod/prod_stoves1.htm#4
Optimus NOVA Multifuel Expedition Stove -- The burner capacity is enough to prepare meals for two persons in extreme conditions. Multifuel technology means that you will find fuel anywhere in the world. Appr. 2.850 Watts/9,700 BTU. Burning time: Up to 2.5 hours at high output (one filling=0.45 L /15.5 fl. oz.). http://www.optimus.se/products/nova/ Optimus HIKER Multifuel Expedition Stove -- "The Himalaya Stove". The Hiker is a multifuel stove, wherever you go, you will be able to find fuel for your Hiker. No conversion needed between ordinary fuels (when using methylated spirits/alcohol, simply change the burner jet). Fuels: Kerosene/paraffin, white gasoline/petrol, diesel oil, methylated alcohol/spirits and Coleman fuel. Appr. 3.000 watts/10.000 BTU. Burning time: Up to 2 hours on one filling (0.35 litres/12 oz.) at high output. http://www.optimus.se/products/hiker/ Ethanol stove -- "Development of Stove running on low ethanol concentration", Anil K. Rajvanshi , S. M. Patil and Y. H. Shaikh, Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) -- 80k Acrobat file. Purifying vegetable oils for use in lamps: Fixed oils: To Purify Rape Oil.
Biofuels at Journey to Forever

Biofuel En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web
Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Ethanol fuel: Journey to Forever
Ethanol fuel
Introduction What is ethanol? The benefits Backyard ethanol How does it work? Production Energy balance -- Is ethanol energy-efficient? -- Food or fuel? Forums General information Small-scale ethanol Ethanol from cellulose Ethanol biodiesel Hooch Ethanol and your car How-to books Ethanol -- schools projects Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol), according to the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is a "clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odour" -- and taste, some would add. This is the drinkable alcohol, the active ingredient in beer, wine and spirits. Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) is the poisonous one. Ethanol is also a high-performance The Vanguard flying motor fuel that cuts poisonous exhaust team uses ethanol fuel. emissions and is better for the environment. Henry Ford designed the famed Model T Ford to run on alcohol -- he said it was "the fuel of the future". The oil companies thought otherwise, however -- but the oil crisis of the early 1970s gave ethanol fuel a new lease of life.
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http://journeytoforever.org/ethanol.html (1 de 6)04/12/2006 11:35:57 a.m.
Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Heaters, burners, stoves
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The US now uses more than 15 billion gallons The Model T Ford was built to run on ethanol. of Henry Ford cleaner, ethanol-blended petrol a year, totalling 12% of fuel sales in the US. Most of it is a 10% blend, but 85% and even 95% blends are now being tested. Ethanol blends are increasingly used in South Africa, while Brazil, the world leader, produces four billion gallons of ethanol a year: all Brazilian fuel contains at least 24% ethanol, and much of it is 100% ethanol (engines can be designed to run on 100% ethanol). Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors all recommend ethanol fuels, and nearly every car manufacturer in the world approves ethanol blends in their warranty coverage. Over two trillion miles have been driven on ethanol-blended fuels in the US since 1980.
Ethanol
Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energyefficient?
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What is ethanol?
Ethanol is made by fermenting and then distilling starch and sugar crops -- maize, sorghum, potatoes, wheat, sugar-cane, even cornstalks, fruit and vegetable waste.
The benefits
Ethanol is a much cleaner fuel than petrol (gasoline):
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It is a renewable fuel made from plants It is not a fossil-fuel: manufacturing it and burning it does not increase the greenhouse effect It provides high octane at low cost as an alternative to harmful fuel additives Ethanol blends can be used in all petrol engines without modifications Ethanol is biodegradable without harmful effects on the environment
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Biofuels
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Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers Backpack stove PicoTurbine Low-tech radio What to do with a cardboard carton Sisters of silk Silkworms in a shoebox School gardens School composting Trees and forests The Beach House fish pond HOMeR Eco-footprint
It significantly reduces harmful exhaust emissions Ethanol's high oxygen content reduces carbon monoxide levels more than any other oxygenate: by 25-30%, according to the US EPA Ethanol blends dramatically reduce emissions of hydrocarbons, a major contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer High-level ethanol blends reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 20% Ethanol can reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by up to 100% on a full life-cycle basis High-level ethanol blends can reduce emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by 30% or more (VOCs are major sources of ground-level ozone formation) As an octane enhancer, ethanol can cut emissions of cancer-causing benzene and butadiene by more than 50% Sulphur dioxide and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions are significantly decreased with ethanol.
Backyard ethanol
As with biodiesel, you don't have to be a corporation to make ethanol -- you can make fuel alcohol in your backyard, and many people are doing just that, and running their vehicles on cleanburning alcohol instead of gasoline. It's more equipment-intensive than biodiesel. You need a still, and you need to learn how to ferment beer. You can build your own still, and there's good information available to help you learn what you need to know. You'll find everything you need in our Resources section and in the Biofuels Library. Get great advice and share information on the Biofuel mailing list -- the biggest and fastest growing alternative fuels mailing list on the Internet. Permits: In the US, home brewers need to get a "small fuel producer" permit from the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). http://www.ttb.gov/alcohol/permits.htm
How does it work?
School and youth programs on the Web Education resources on the Web Children's poetry Contact us
Ethanol is a very high octane fuel, replacing lead as an octane enhancer in gasoline. Fuels that burn too quickly make the engine "knock". The higher the octane rating, the slower the fuel burns, and the less likely the engine will knock. When ethanol is blended with gasoline, the octane rating of the petrol goes up by three full points, without using harmful additives. Adding ethanol to gasoline "oxygenates" the fuel, adding oxygen to the fuel mixture so that it burns more completely and reduces polluting emissions such as carbon monoxide. Ethanol and ETBE oxygenator, made from ethanol, are much safer than the toxic and polluting MTBE fossil-fuel-derived oxygenator used by oil companies.
Production
Ethanol fuel production is a good locally-based industry, providing local jobs and a market for local materials, and helping to keep money and investment within the community. That's why so many of the farming states in the US (and Canada) back ethanol fuel. One ethanol plant owned by farmers in Minnesota processes 11,751 bushels of grain a day to produce 33,990 gallons of ethanol and 95 tons of high-protein livestock feed. If you happen to have a spare acre in your back yard, you can raise enough maize to make enough ethanol to drive even a gasguzzling Land Rover (17.5 miles per gallon) about 5,000 miles, along with enough animal feed to help keep you in eggs and chicken. If the climate favours sugarcane, an acre's worth will take you nearly 15,000 miles. A few fruit trees would help a lot too. You could put the by-product in a digester, along with other organic wastes, to produce methane gas for cooking -- or as a heat source for the distillation process. Alcohol yield tables (for 30 different feedstocks), showing: Average yield of 99.5 percent alcohol per ton; Average yield of 99.5 percent alcohol per acre.
Energy balance
Ethanol is a highly efficient fuel. A study by the Institute of Local Self-Reliance in the US found that using the best farming and production methods, "the amount of energy contained in a gallon of ethanol is more than twice the energy used to grow the corn and convert it to ethanol". The US Department of Agriculture says each BTU (British Thermal Unit, an energy measure) used to produce a BTU of gasoline could be used to produce 8 BTUs of ethanol. The non-profit American Coalition for Ethanol says ethanol production is "extremely energy efficient", with a positive energy balance of 125%, compared to 85% for gasoline, making ethanol production "by far the most efficient method of producing liquid transportation fuels". See: Is ethanol energy-efficient? Food or fuel? Ethanol resources on the Web Ethanol -- schools projects See Biofuels > Biodiesel > Ethanol
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web
Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Ethanol resources on the Web: Journey to Forever
Ethanol resources on the Web

Some of the resources here have more to do with drinking than driving, but the homebrew hooch specialists make good ethanol of high purity, though generally in smaller quantities, and some of the most knowledgeable people on the subject and best resources on distilling are found among the homebrewers. Proof and percent: The "proof" measure is double the percentage volume of pure alcohol. Thus 100-proof spirit contains 50% alcohol by volume, 200-proof is 100% pure. Forums General information Small-scale ethanol Ethanol from cellulose Ethanol biodiesel Hooch Ethanol and your car How-to books
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The StillMaker: designed for booze, but it makes 190-proof alcohol.
Forums
The Biofuel mailing list run by Journey to Forever is an information-sharing resource for anyone who is making their own fuel or has an interest in biofuels or related issues. All aspects of biofuels and their use are covered -- biodiesel, ethanol, other alternative fuels, related technologies and issues, energy issues, environment, sustainability and more. The list has a large and varied global membership and has been at the forefront of small-scale biofuels development for more than six years. Comment from a member: "I just want to say how important what you all are doing here is (I'm just an interested bystander). Closed-system fuel production, on a local or small regional scale, tied to local resources, using accessible technologies, and dependent on entrepreneurial innovation combined with opensource information exchange--it's AWESOME. Keep up the
http://journeytoforever.org/ethanol_link.html (1 de 22)04/12/2006 11:36:06 a.m.
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good work everyone, before the planet fries." Another comment: "Some of the brightest biofuel brains in the world." And another: "Your list contains some of the best information I have found on the Internet. The archives are great and that is where I spend most of my time acquiring knowledge. This information I believe vitally important NOW and am very happy it is here. Our future may just depend upon it. Now that is important." More:
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Please note that the Biofuel list is not a newsletter service and not a "website", it is an interactive email discussion group posting from 20 to 50 messages a day or more. If that will "swamp your mailbox", please read this message on how best to handle mailing list traffic: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ msg21651.html Once they've joined the list, members can also select the "Daily Digest" option to receive one or more composite messages containing all the day's messages. Biofuel list administrators' address: listadmin@journeytoforever. org The List Rules are posted here: http://snipurl.com/mx7r Browse current messages at the list website: http://sustainablelists.org/pipermail/biofuel_sustainablelists.org/ The Biofuel Archives Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives -- 60,000+ entries from discussions by biofuellers all over the world over the last six years, a treasure trove of information on all aspects of biofuels and sustainability: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ Distillers mailing list -- On distilling for the bottle rather than the fuel tank. "Dedicated to the exchange of information and experiences relating to the process of producing alcohol at home. Especially suited to spirit distillation." Subscribe: distillers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Unsubscribe: distillers-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Post message: distillers@yahoogroups.com List URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/distillers Distillers list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ FAQ and other information: http://homedistiller.org New_distillers mailing list -- for newcomers. Subscribe: new_distillers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Unsubscribe: new_distillers-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Post message: new_distillers@yahoogroups.com List URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/new_distillers Distillers list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/

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General information
Ethanol in Brazil, from the International Liquid Biofuels Congress held in Brazil in July 1998 (Acrobat file) http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/ reports/gen/19980722_gen-249.pdf "Making Ethanol from Sugar Cane in Brazil" by Isaias de Carvalho Macedo, from "Energy As An Instrument for SocioEconomic Development", UNDP, 1995 -- Case study of the "large-scale" production of fuel ethanol from sugar cane in Brazil from the perspective of job creation. Ethanol production has provided nearly 700,000 jobs in Brazil, 75% of them direct jobs. The so-called "large scale" biomass conversion to energy is in fact a large collection of small-scale systems; in the Brazilian case, this corresponds to the scale of agriculture generally... The ethanol programme has been an important factor in creating job opportunities, in both more and less developed regions of Brazil. In some regions, it has been remarkable at evolving from lower to higher-quality jobs, reducing seasonal unemployment, increasing wages and social benefits, and introducing new technologies in a timely way. http://www.undp.org/seed/energy/policy/ch10.htm Brazil's National Alcohol Program: The objective of the National Alcohol Program (PROALCOOL), established in 1975, was to use ethanol as a fuel substitute for gasoline and to increase ethanol production for industrial uses. By 1985, some US$6.5 billion had been invested in the production of 13 billion gallons (50 billion liters) of ethanol, some 500,000 jobs had been created, 2.5 million vehicles were running on pure ethanol, and all the gasoline at filling stations had an admixture of 20 percent ethanol. Brazil now has technology and equipment capable of maintaining a four billion gallon (16 billion liter) annual output and of exporting the related technology, equipment, and services. By dramatically reducing the level of carbor monoxide released by motor vehicles, PROALCOOL is contributing to Brazil's efforts towards protecting the environment. See: Addition of Oxygenated Compound to Gasoline and the PROALCOOL Experience, Economy & Energy No 19 April/May 2000: http://ecen.com/eee19/compoxie.htm Brazil Proposes Sugar Export Tax To Regulate Ethanol
Production, May 30, 2002 http://www.bbiethanol.com/news/view.cgi?article=523 Dual Fuel Cars Revive Brazil's Alcohol Industry, by Mario Osava, Aug 25, 2003 http://tierramerica.net/english/2003/0825/iacentos.shtml Brazil seeks to woo back ethanol car drivers, Reuters, September 19, 2002 http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/17823/ story.htm Institute for Local Self-Reliance http://www.ilsr.org/ The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) works with both the public and private sectors in the US on economic development through the efficient use of local resources. Carbohydrate Economy Clearinghouse (CEC) http://www.carbohydrateeconomy.org/ Created by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) to provide up-to-date information spanning all facets of the carbohydrate economy, "from paints and inks to fuels and construction materials". Search huge resources of news, information, reports and studies on ethanol and other biofuels: http://www.carbohydrateeconomy.org/Search2/search.cfm World Fuel Ethanol Analysis and Outlook, by Dr. Christoph Berg, April 2004 -- France, Brazil, USA, Canada, EU, India, Thailand, China, Australia, Peru and other Latin America. http://www.distill.com/World-Fuel-Ethanol-A&O-2004.html Small-Scale Ethanol Production -- United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library Quick Bibliography Series, 135 references, published 1992. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/qb92-46.htm Properties of Alcohol Transportation Fuels. Prepared for: Biofuels Systems Division, Office of Alternative Fuels, U.S. Department of Energy, July 1991 -- "During the mid and late 1980s, research on alcohol fuels undertaken in the United States, Japan, and Europe expanded greatly. This research has covered the entire alcohol production, distribution and utilization process. The results of this research have not been broadly disseminated to the public policy community . No other compilation of recent findings is currently available. This report presents a range of scientific and engineering information on the characteristics of alcohol fuels." Table of Contents, chapter downloads:
http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/afrw.html Complete report -- Acrobat file, 34Mb: http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/afrw/afrw-all.pdf ethanol-crfa.org Canada: Ethanol and Your Vehicle http://www.ethanol-crfa.ca/vehicle.htm Ethanol FAQ http://www.ethanol-crfa.ca/faq.htm A complete report covering all of the applications of ethanol in gasoline, in new and used engines: ERDC Project No 2511 "Intensive Field Trial of Ethanol/Petrol Blend in Vehicles". This trial showed no harm to any engines, and documented the benefits. This is the Executive Summary, compliments of Apace Research Ltd -- 10 pages, 32kb Acrobat file. Sustainable Minnesota's Biofuels Resources http://www.me3.org/issues/ethanol Sustainable Minnesota (Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy -- ME3) is a coalition working for a sustainable energy future. The web site is run by the Institute for Local SelfReliance (ILSR) and focuses on a broad range of energy issues including biomass, climate change, ecological tax reform, electric restructuring and renewable energy technologies. Links to thousands of resources. Canadian Renewable Fuels Association - Ethanol -Good information, in-depth treatment. Information Sheets: Henry Ford and Fuel Ethanol, Fuel Ethanol and Air Quality, Environmental Effects of Gasoline and Ethanol, Just How Environmentally Friendly is Ethanol? What Fuel Alternatives are Available? What does Fuel Ethanol mean for Canada? Fuel Ethanol and the Canadian Economy, Fuel Ethanol and the Food Supply, Ethanol Fuels are a Proven Technology, Fuel Terminology and Technology; Fact Sheets: Ethanol Manufacturing in Canada, Ethanol Retailing in Canada, Questions and Answers on Ethanol, Environmental Benefits of Ethanol, Emission Impacts, Energy Balance, Ethanol and Global Warming, Ethanol and Small Engines. http://www.greenfuels.org/ethindex.html The Governors' Ethanol Coalition http://www.ethanol-gec.org Started by Nebraska's Governor, the GEC now includes 22 US states promoting ethanol use. News, information, bulletins, links.
Ethanol Alert! -- quarterly news bulletin produced by the Governor's Ethanol Coalition. Archives: http://www.ethanol-gec.org/ethalert.htm Ethanol Source, one-page bulletins on special issues: http://www.ethanol-gec.org/ethsourc.htm Ethanol studies and reports, by GEC and others: http://www.ethanol-gec.org/publicat.htm Email subscriptions to all publications: http://www.ethanol-gec.org/subscribe.html News release archive: http://www.ethanol-gec.org/newsr.htm (search engine under construction) Renewable Fuels Association http://www.ethanolrfa.org The US national trade association for the domestic ethanol industry. Links, news, technical reports, general information. The RFA publishes the Ethanol Report, a bi-weekly newsletter -Archives: http://www.ethanolRFA.org/pubs_arch.html Subscribe: send request for Ethanol Report by email to info@ethanolRFA.org Search, site-wide or Ethanol Report only: http://www.ethanolrfa.org/searchRFA/iaquery.exe American Coalition For Ethanol (ACE) http://www.ethanol.org Ace is a non-profit membership association devoted to promoting the increased production and use of ethanol. "We've got a great product that is beneficial for the environment and the economy and we want everyone to know about it." Good resouces on ethanol -- studies, reports, news, links, good hyperlinked FAQ. http://www.ethanol.org/Information/ethanol_information.htm Nebraska Ethanol Board http://nebsspc.nrc.state.ne.us/ What's new, Information, Events, Legislation, useful set of links The Revenoor Co. -- Interesting, 3,500-word introductory article on producing alcohol as a fuel, from veteran distiller Terry Wilhelm. http://revenoor.com/
Open Directory Science: Technology: Energy: Renewable: Biomass and Biofuels -- listings of biofuels information sites, biodiesel, ethanol, and more. http://dmoz.org/Science/Technology/Energy/Renewable/ Biomass_and_Biofuels/ The Bioenergy Mailing List searchable hypertext archives. http://www.crest.org/discussiongroups/index.html US Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.doe.gov The US Department of Energy has upgraded their website, so many bookmarked documents may prove to be unavailable. General biofuels portal: http://www.ott.doe.gov/biofuels/publications.html#bioethanol Biofuels -- Document Database search: http://www.ott.doe.gov/biofuels/document_database.html Biofuels information from the US Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Biofuels Research Program -- main focus on biodiesel and ethanol: Production and Use of Biofuels, Production of Raw Materials (Crops), Economic Research, Market Research, Pros and Cons, Getting Started in Biofuels, Funding Opportunities, News and Events, Links. http://www.nalusda.gov/ttic/biofuels/res.htm The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the U.S. Department of Energy's premier laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development and deployment. NREL is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by Midwest Research Institute, http://www.nrel.gov/ NREL Search and Site Directory: http://www.nrel.gov/search.html The Alternative Fuels Data Center is a one-stop shop for all your alternative fuel and vehicle information needs. This site has more than 3,000 documents in its database, an interactive fuel station mapping system, listings of available alternative fuel vehicles, links to related Web sites, and much more. http://www.afdc.doe.gov/ Alternative Fuels Data Center Document Search http://www.afdc.nrel.gov/cgi-bin/doc_search/searchora.cgi Alternative Fuels Data Center -- search the AFDC Web site:
http://www.afdc.nrel.gov/search.html Comparison of Transport Fuels -- Final Report (EV45A/2/ F3C) to the Australian Greenhouse Office on the Stage 2 study of Life-cycle Emissions Analysis of Alternative Fuels for Heavy Vehicles, by Tom Beer, Tim Grant, Geoff Morgan, Jack Lapszewicz, Peter Anyon, Jim Edwards, Peter Nelson, Harry Watson & David Williams -- CSIRO in association with The University of Melbourne, the Centre for Design at RMIT. Parsons Australia Pty Ltd and Southern Cross Institute of Health Research. http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/index.html Part 1 provides a summary of the salient points of each fuel, Part 2 consists of detailed chapters on each fuel. Executive Summary - (Acrobat file 186Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/ execsummary.pdf Part 1 Hydrated Ethanol - (Acrobat file 39Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/1ch6. pdf Part 2 Hydrated Ethanol - (Acrobat file 282Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/2ch6. pdf Part 1 Diesohol - (Acrobat file 35Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/1ch7. pdf Part 2 Diesohol - (Acrobat file 146Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/2ch7. pdf Part 1 Anhydrous Ethanol - (Acrobat file 32Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/1ch13. pdf Part 2 Anhydrous Ethanol - (Acrobat file 69Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/2ch13. pdf Part 1 Petrohol - (Acrobat file 36Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/1ch14. pdf Part 2 Petrohol - (Acrobat file 96Kb) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport/comparison/pubs/2ch14. pdf Grades of ethanol -- what they are, what they mean, from Pharmco Products
http://www.pharmco-prod.com/pages/alcoholintro.html
Small-scale ethanol
"Understanding Ethanol Fuel Production and Use", by Cliff Bradley & Ken Runnion, Technical Paper # 3, Understanding Technology Series, Volunteers In Technical Assistance (VITA) -- 7,000-word article on small-scale ethanol production, with bibliography. Volunteer co-authors Bradley and Runnion specialize in alcohol fuel production technologies at Renewable Technologies, Inc. VITA List of Publications (64kb Acrobat file): http://www.enterpriseworks.org/PDFs/ VITA%20Publications%20Catalogue.pdf Publications order form: http://www.enterpriseworks.org/PDFs/ Publications%20Order%20Form.pdf Distillation - How it works, by Mike Nixon -- all is explained, clear and simple guide. (Acrobat File) http://ww2.green-trust.org:8383/distill_howitworks.pdf See The Compleat Distiller by Mike Nixon and Mike McCaw Preparation of ethanol from molasses -- This method uses fresh rubber coagulum as binder and live cell immobilising agent. Once prepared the yeast culture can be used repeatedly for months under non-sterile conditions for fermenting sugars to ethanol prior to distillation, with high yields. Full details and diagram. From Manick Harris, Malaysia, Biofuel mailing list, 26 Aug 2005 Ethanol Curriculum for Teachers (Grades 9-12) http://www.nwicc.cc.ia.us/etsp.htm "Ethanol -- As A Fuel", comprehensive study project from the Northwest Iowa Community College, including laboratory production of ethanol. Permits: In the US, home brewers need to get a "small fuel producer" permit from the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). http://www.ttb.gov/alcohol/permits.htm See Ethanol yield tables See How-to books
Ethanol from cellulose

"Wood-Ethanol Report: Technology Review", Environment Canada 1999 -- good overview of the problem and the current solutions on offer. Go to the Biofuels Library. Fuel From Sawdust -- by Mike Brown (from Acres, USA, 19 June 1983): Conversion of cellulose, such as sawdust, cornstalks, newspaper and other substances, to alcohol -- "a fairly uncomplicated and straightforward process". Go to the Biofuels Library. Production of Ethanol from Wood in Russia since 1943 -- A detailed description of the operating process of a woodhybrolysis plant in Siberia. http://www.distill.com/woodhydrolysis/ Arkenol Inc. is a pioneer in processing cellulose biomas into ethanol: agricultural wastes, straw, leaves, grass clippings, sawdust or old newspapers. The company uses proprietary concentrated acid hydrolysis technology and is in the final development stages for a 48 million litre per year biorefinery in Sacramento, California processing rice straw. http://www.arkenol.com The Iogen Corporation of Canada is "the leader in developing and manufacturing ethanol-from-cellulose". The Iogen process is an enzymatic hydrolysis process for converting lignocellulosics to ethanol -- uses steam explosion pretreatment pioneered by the company and Iogen's proprietary enzymes. http://www.iogen.ca/ Q & A with Iogen's Jeff Passmore regarding cellulosic ethanol, April 2003 http://www.eesi.org/publications/Newsletters/ ECO/eco%2019.htm#iogen BC International Corporation uses a genetically modified organism to produce ethanol from biomass wastes such as agricultural residues, municipal waste, and forest thinnings. Twostage dilute acid hydrolysis process for the preparation of the sugar streams and two separate fermentations although both use the same organism. http://www.bcintlcorp.com/
"Ethanol Production in Hawaii", a "pre-feasibility" study who a focus on ethanol from cellulose. Includes comparison of the different processes: simultaneous saccharification and fermentation; concentrated acid hydrolysis, neutralization and fermentation; ammonia disruption, hydrolysis and fermentation; steam disruption, hydrolysis and fermentation; acid disruption and transgenic microorganism fermentation; concentrated acid hydrolysis, acid recycle and fermentation; and acidified acetone extraction, hydrolysis and fermentation. http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/ethanol/ethano94.html Good list of references: http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/ethanol/refs.html Genencore & DOE Move Closer to Fuel Ethanol from Biomass Cellulose - See: Biomass Conversion with Enzymes: http://www.newuses.org/EG/EG-23/23genetic.html Mustard Plants Produce Low-Cost Enzymes for Making Ethanol -- Researchers at the University of Colorado (CU) at Boulder have developed a potentially low- cost method of producing the cellulase enzyme for converting woody biomass materials into ethanol. http://www.colorado.edu/PublicRelations/ NewsReleases/2001/1244.html And here's one that went wrong, and could have gone horribly wrong: http://www.safe2use.com/ca-ipm/01-02-05-report.htm
Ethanol biodiesel
Making ethyl-esters biodiesel using ethanol is a tricky process, not as simple as making methyl esters with methanol. But it can be done -- the following technical papers are available online in our Biofuels Library, and there's sound advice below from a master home-brewer who routinely makes his own ethyl-esters biodiesel. Optimization of a Batch Type Ethyl Ester Process -- a recipe for biodiesel from ethanol (which you can make yourself), instead of methanol (which is toxic, fossil-fuel derived, and you can't make it yourself). Production and Testing of Ethyl and Methyl Esters, University of Idaho, Dec 1994.
Transesterification Process to Manufacture Ethyl Ester of Rape Oil by Roger A. Korus, Dwight S. Hoffman Narendra Barn, Charles L. Peterson, and David C. Drown, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA (Acrobat file, 672Kb) Making and Testing a Biodiesel Fuel Made From Ethanol and Waste French-Fry Oil by Charles L. Peterson, Daryl Reece, Brian Hammond, Joseph C. Thompson, Sidney Beck, University of Idaho, Idaho, USA (Acrobat file, 2.4Mb) Biofuels mailing list member Ken Provost, who has much experience making ethyl esters, sent us the following tips&tricks sheet.
Ethanol-based Biodiesel
1. Get plenty of experience making biodiesel with methanol before you try it with ethanol. Get comfortable titrating your oil for FFAs (free fatty acids); youll need to do that when you use ethanol. 2. Try to find a source of KOH (potassium hydroxide) to use instead of lye with ethanol. Lye (NaOH, sodium hydroxide) will work, but it dissolves VERY slowly in ethanol. You'll need to use more of either one -- 7g per liter of clean oil with NaOH, 10g per liter of clean oil with KOH. More as required per your titration level. 3. Your ethanol will have to be EXTREMELY dry. 199-proof or higher. "Absolute" ethanol. Any more than one half of one percent water can kill the reaction. Denaturants like methanol, isopropyl alcohol, MIBK, etc., are fine. But no water. Ethanol that dry is difficult to find cheap, especially in the US. If you want to try to make it yourself, you'll need molecular sieve, quicklime, or something else to do a "chemical" drying. Distillation alone can't get the water under 5% -- still way too much. (See below -- Anhydrous ethanol) 4. If you're interested in ethanol for environmental reasons, be careful. Even if you find anhydrous ethanol, it may come from fossil fuel. The denatured alcohols used by painters, or in other industrial applications, may be anhydrous but still derived from petroleum. In fact, since fermentation uses water, it's cheaper to make 200-proof starting with petroleum. The only way to know
is to call the original manufacturer of the formula. Ask if the ethanol is "synthetic" or "fermentation". One type of denatured anhydrous ethanol that is almost always fermented is "fuelgrade", which is 199-proof denatured with gasoline. It's what they add to gasoline to make gasohol. 5. Your oil will also have to be EXTREMELY dry. Heat the oil to 120 deg C (248 deg F) and hold it there until you can turn off the flame and see the bubbling stop almost immediately. You might want to throw in some clumping cat litter (bentonite clay) and/or silica gel to scarf up any remaining water, let it settle half a day, and take the oil off the top. Sometimes that's still not dry enough. Remember -- any more than 0.5% water can kill the reaction. 6. Your oil will have to be fairly low in FFAs. You'll want to do a titration on every batch to make sure. Anything over 2 ml titration (using 0.1% NaOH solution) can cause failure of the glycerine to separate -- under 1 ml is a good idea. Most waste oil is too high, and either needs to be refined with NaOH first, or cut with clean oil to neutralize FFAs. 7. You need to use more ethanol to get full conversion. Somewhere between 275 and 300 ml per liter of oil is about right for most oils. Coconut oil will need more, maybe 350 ml. Theoretical is about 180 ml per liter, and the rest is excess to drive the reaction all the way. 8. Even when you do all the above, getting the glycerine to separate is a matter of good luck and fervent prayer. Sometimes separation occurs just like a methanol batch. Other times you won't start seeing a glycerine layer for 3 or 4 hours, or maybe overnight. Then again, sometimes it NEVER separates. Until you get separation, you haven't made biodiesel. I've heard of folks who don't wait for separation -- they just pour the whole mess right into the tank, or do some kind of water wash and think it's good biodiesel. It might burn, but it's not biodiesel. It must separate. 9. If it doesn't separate, you can sometimes force it by adding some methoxide mix. You can also make it more likely to separate by including some methanol with the ethanol right from the start. For example, you could try using an initial mix of 5 to 7 parts ethanol and 1 part methanol. Give it a few hours to separate. If it doesn't, add some straight methoxide to the kettle, using enough methanol to bring the alcohols ratio down to 3:1 eth:meth, and containing another 2g of KOH per liter of oil. That
usually initiates separation within an hour. Fresh, refined edible oil might even work the first time with straight ethanol. If you use a mixture of ethanol and methanol, you can get away with 275 ml of initial mix per liter of oil. 10. If you're not scared off yet, Good Luck! -- Ken Provost
Anhydrous ethanol
To make ethyl esters the ethanol must be anhydrous, 99%+ pure -- with less than 1% water content. The purest ethanol that can be produced by ordinary distillation is only 95.6% pure, the rest being water, which interferes with the transesterification reaction in making ethyl esters. More common for home distillation is 170-190 proof -- 85-95% pure. Members of Journey to Forever's Biofuels mailing list have succeeded in making ethyl esters using 85% ethanol they've distilled themselves, by removing the excess water with quicklime (CaO). See "The Manual for the Home and Farm Production of Alcohol Fuel" by S.W. Mathewson, Chapter 12 -- Drying the Alcohol, Drying with lime. An easier method is to use 3A zeolite molecular sieve. Biofuels group member Ken Provost reports: "Zeolite (aka 'molecular sieve' ) works BEAUTIFULLY to suck the last bit of water out of distilled ethanol. I got a sample of Type 3A Molecular Sieve from Adcoa in Southern California: http://www.thomasregister.com/olc/adcoa/molecula.htm "I got a can of the 4-8 mesh -- little balls of rock about 1/8" diameter. They absorb about 20% of their weight of water over the course of a few hours. Take a liter of 95% ethanol, throw in 250g of the stuff, swirl occasionally, filter out the next day through a strainer, and presto! Anhydrous ethanol. Not expensive either -- US$2.05 a pound in 10 lb quantities, and reusable indefinitely. You drive off the water under a broiler for an hour." An alternative is to run the ethanol vapours through 3A molecular sieve in a column during the distillation process. Cornmeal Adsorber for Dehydrating Ethanol Vapors -by Michael R. Ladisch et al., Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University. About half the ethanol now produced in the US is dried using corn grits. When
the corn's drying capacity is worn out, it can be fermented and distilled to make more ethanol. This 1981 paper is the original work on the subject. Separating Ethanol From Water -- by Renaldo V. Jenkins of Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, USA. More economical methods of separating water from ethanol to produce anhydrous ethanol, using sulphur or castor oil. Provided by F. Marc de Piolenc. Absolute Alcohol Using Glycerine -- Mariller-Granger Processes, from E. Boullanger: Distillerie Agricole et Industrielle (Paris: Ballire, 1924). Mariller's absolute alcohol production process by dehydration using glycerine, various systems examined and explained. Translation from the French by F. Marc de Piolenc.
Hooch
Home Distillation of Alcohol (Homemade Alcohol) http://www.homedistiller.org Very informative and well-linked site by chemical engineer Tony Ackland, on distilling for the bottle rather than the fuel tank. Thorough treatment of the subject, great resources here, excellent site, recommended. Distillation - How it works, by Mike Nixon -- all is explained, clear and simple guide. (Acrobat File) http://www.webconx.dns2go.com/distill_howitworks.pdf See The Compleat Distiller by Mike Nixon and Mike McCaw The HOOCH page http://www.beer.org/~tpark/hch.html Good basic instructions, explanations, directions on how to distill alcohol -- beverage alcohol obviously, with a name like The HOOCH page. Culture Corner Archive: Makin' Moonshine http://www.manalagi.com/jamesplace/indonesia/sopi/index.html Appropriate technology in East Indonesia: making moonshine (sopi) from lontar palm juice (nirah), using a steel oil drum, a wooden lid sealed with sticky lontar fruit, plus bamboo and copper tubing, and a cooler made from a hollowed-out lontar palm trunk.
Still in orbit http://theshredder.com/archive/mir1.html "According to an intercepted communication, the Mission Control has demanded that the cosmonauts aboard the Mir Space Station get rid of the liquorbrewing still illegally installed aboard by one of the previous crews. It is the presence of the still, maintains a program official who would not be identified, that forced the recent shutdown of the main computer." Believe it or not.
Cosmonauts Tsibliyev, Lazutkin: "... traces of alcohol".
The x86 still http://www.exaflop.org/docs/x86still/ "To put it simply, the key components [of a still] are a heating device and a cooling device. Now the average PC has both a heating device (the processor) and a cooling device (the fan). The question we asked was 'By separating the processor from its fan and adding a few small components, could we convince an ordinary PC to distill alcohol?'" Yes it could! "I had needed to reboot the machine twice in that time (due to over heating) and decided to call it a day after Linux failed to restart (at the third reboot attempt)." Maybe that's how they do it on Mir...
Ethanol and your car

How To Adapt Your Automobile Engine For Ethyl Alcohol Use -- Mother Earth Alcohol Fuel Manual. Biofuels Library How To Modify Your Car To Run On Alcohol Fuel: "Guidelines for converting gasoline engines (With Specific Instructions for Air-Cooled Volkswagens)" by Roger Lippman, April 1982 -- Five-chapter online book: http://terrasol.home.igc.org/alky/alky.htm How to modify an injection system: It's Toyota-specific,
but applies to most electronic fuel injection systems. http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Pit/9975/ dataBySubject/EFImods.html
Flexible Fuel Vehicles and E85

In the US, E85 fuel is comprised of 85% ethanol by volume and just 15% petroleum. Though it hasn't received nearly as much publicity as it should have, many autos sold in the US are "Flexible Fuel Vehicles" (FFVs) that can run on E85 or gasoline when E85 is unavailable. More than 750,000 FFVs made their way to US showrooms in 2000. Ford, Daimler Chrysler, General Motors, Isuzu, Mazda, Mercury all make FFVs. The following websites have details of which models are FFVs. American Lung Association http://www.alamn.org/outdoor/e85.htm National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition http://www.e85fuel.com/ffvs.htm Alternative Fuels Data Center, US Dept of Energy http://www.afdc.doe.gov/afvehicles.html E85 summer blend is 85% ethanol 15% gasoline; E85 winter blend is 70% ethanol 30% gasoline.
How-to books
Alcohol Fuel Manual: "The Manual for the Home and Farm Production of Alcohol Fuel" by S.W. Mathewson, 1980, Ten Speed Press, out of print -- this excellent manual gives you all the information you need to get going with making your own alcohol fuel. Aimed at smallscale production, good chapters on fuel theory, everything about feedstocks, processing, fermentation, yeast, using ethanol, distillation. Go to the Biofuels Library. Mother Earth Alcohol Fuel -- a guide to the fine points of home alcohol production, Mother's Alcohol Fuel Seminar, The Mother
Earth News, 1980, out of print -- in 1978 The Mother Earth News research team started studying methods and distillation processes, testing mash formulas, designing apparatus, compiling information, converting engines and running seminars, spending upwards of US$300,000 on the project. This manual is the result. Go to the Biofuels Library. "The Compleat Distiller" by Mike Nixon and Mike McCaw, The Amphora Society, 2001 It may sound like an over-ambitious title, but it's just an accurate description. It covers everything, it's clearly written, well-organised, a pleasure to read. The guys on the Distillers mailing list love it: "One great distilling book! I haven't ever read a distilling book as complete as this. Everything is covered." Another: "If you ever have thought about buying just one book on distillation, this should be that book. If you are a beginner, this book is perfect. If you have been taught the art by your old pappy livin' in those there hills, this book is for you. If you are a master crafter and know everything, this book is for you." Order online, as a PDF (Acrobat file) or a printed book: http://www.amphora-society.com Home Distillation Handbook, by Ola Norrman (pseudonym) http://partyman.se/HbBok/ home_distilling_handbook.html "It is possibly the best book that has ever been written on the subject," claims the home page modestly. "Worth it," says Ted Park of The HOOCH page. "Really good instructions." Also recommended by the Alt.Alcohol newsgroup's FAQ. US$17 for the book, $5 for the download version. Building a Home Distillation Apparatus -- A Step by Step Guide, by Bob Lennon. Detailed online guide, focus on building and operating the StillMaker still: "does not enter into the domains of fermentation, recipes for making mash, beer, wine or any other spirits". Many homebrewers have built this still. Lennon says it "easily produces 95% ethanol in a single pass". Designed with the aid of computer programs which modeled continuously operating fractionating columns and the results were then adjusted to accommodate a batch processing
operation. Now with two versions -- as well as the internal reflux model, Bob's added a new design for a reflux column with a top mounted condensor, using a beer keg as the boiler (the valved reflux model). Online and in Acrobat format, free. http://www.Moonshine-Still.com Secrets of Building an Alcohol Producing Still, by Vince Gingery http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/still/index.html "Great book!" says distributor Lindsay Publications. "Be independent. Thumb your nose at the corner gas station. Build a still, and make fuel." How to take common plumbing parts, copper sheeting, and standard electrical parts and build a 6 gallon capacity still. US$12.95. Makin' It on the Farm -- Alcohol Fuel is the Road to Independence, by Micki Nellis http://buffalo-creek-press.com/alcohol.htm "This book is still in demand after 18 years. Referenced in many alternative energy guides, how-to books, and in the ATF's own guide to fuel alcohol. Was used as a textbook in several community colleges." Buffalo Creek Press US$2.95. Moonshine Motorfuel -- Practical Fuel-Alcohol Handbook. How to make it, how to use it! by Tom Hamn http://www.homemadeautofuel.com/saleltr.html "Learn simple design concepts for distillation equipment ranging from the most rudimentary pot still to a 30 gallon-per-hour MONSTROSITY!" US$19.95 plus $4.87 S&H. How to produce your own alcohol -- Training manual from Marc Carduso at Ecogenics. Marc is one of the original biofuellers -- he built a prize-winning backyard fuel still in the '70s. "One of the most comprehensive manuals on alcohol production. Learn how to produce alcohol from organic wastes including cellulose from conventional crops. Learn how to convert your motors to run on low-proof alcohol." Also training seminars on alcohol fuel production. Lots more to see at this interesting site! http://www.dabney.com/ecogenics/ Alcohol Motor Fuel Cookbook, by Mike Brown -- How to ferment grain into alcohol and modify carburetors to run on it. One of the originals, new edition now available. US $20.
http://home.earthlink.net/~dlaw70/alteng. htm#bamfc Alcohol Distiller's Handbook, by Mike Brown -- covers milling, mashing, fermentation, distillation, distillers' dried grain and solubles and laboratory control. Perfect for personal fuel self-sufficiency or commercial production. $25 http://home.earthlink.net/~dlaw70/alteng.htm How To Build A Junkyard Still, by Mike Brown -- be your own motor fuel magnate. $12.00. http://home.earthlink.net/~dlaw70/alteng.htm#junkyard
Biofuels
Is ethanol energy-efficient?: Journey to Forever
Is ethanol energy-efficient?
Introduction Ethanol under fire: David Pimentel et al Pimentel's arguments What standard farm? One of the most controversial issues relating to ethanol (and more recently to biodiesel as well, see below) is what environmentalists call the "net energy" of ethanol production: is more energy used to grow and process the raw material into ethanol than is contained in the ethanol itself? It's especially controversial in the US. In the US most ethanol is made from corn (maize), which is far from the best energy crop (Brazil uses sugar cane). Nonetheless, a US Department of Agriculture study concludes that ethanol contains 34% more energy than is used to grow and harvest the corn and distill it into ethanol. "Estimating the Net Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol", by Hosein Shapouri et al., US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Office of Energy and New Uses, Agricultural Economic Report No. 721, July 1995 -"Studies conducted since the late 1970s have estimated the net energy value of corn ethanol. However, variations in data and assumptions used among the studies have resulted in a wide range of estimates. This study identifies the factors causing this wide variation and develops a more consistent estimate... We show that corn ethanol is energy efficient as indicated by an energy ratio of 1.24." http://www.ethanol-gec.org/corn_eth.htm "The Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol: An Update", by Hosein Shapouri and James A. Duffield, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, and Michael Wang of the Center for Transportation Research, Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory. Agricultural Economic Report No. 813, 2002: "Corn ethanol is energy efficient... For every BTU dedicated to producing ethanol there is a 34% energy gain... Only about 17% of the energy used to produce ethanol comes from liquid fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel. For every 1 BTU of liquid fuel used to produce ethanol, there is a 6.34 BTU gain." Full report (Acrobat file, 176 kb): http://www.usda.gov/oce/oepnu/aer-814.pdf
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In "How Much Energy Does It Take to Make a Gallon of Ethanol?", David Lorenz and David Morris of the Institute for Local-Self Reliance (ILSR) state: "Using the best farming and production methods, the amount of energy contained in a gallon of ethanol is more than twice the energy used to grow the corn and convert it to ethanol." A 1992 ILSR study, based on actual energy consumption data from farmers and ethanol plant operators, found that the production of ethanol from corn is a positive net energy generator. In this updated paper the numbers look even more attractive: more energy is contained in the ethanol and the other by-products of corn processing than is used to grow the corn and convert it into ethanol and by-products. http://www.carbohydrateeconomy.org/library/admin/ uploadedfiles/ How_Much_Energy_Does_it_Take_to_Make_a_Gallon_.html New study confronts old thinking on ethanol's net energy value, 3/28/2005 -- Ethanol generates 35% more energy than it takes to produce, according to a recent study by Argonne National Laboratory conducted by Michael Wang. The new findings support earlier research that determined ethanol has a positive net energy balance, according to the National Corn Growers Association. That research was conducted by USDA, Michigan State University, the Colorado School of Mines, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and other public and private entities. Argonne is one of the US Department of Energy's largest research centers. http://www.agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata /ag/story/data/agNews_050328crETHANOL.xml&catref=ag1001 Report on the new study : http://www.ncga.com/public_policy/PDF/03_28_05 ArgonneNatlLabEthanolStudy.pdf A USDA study released in 2004 found that ethanol may net as much as 67% more energy than it takes to produce. http://www.ethanol.org/documents/NetEnergyBalanceofEthanol. pdf
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Ethanol under fire: David Pimentel et al

Actually it's Big Ethanol and Big Corn that are under fire by Big Oil, though Big Corn and Big Agriculture are a major client of Big Oil. We tend to think they might all deserve each other. Small is beautiful, especially with food and biofuels, and we don't support Big Ethanol producers like Archer Daniels Midland,
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Cargill or Monsanto any more than we support ExxonMobil or Shell. But we don't like disinformation either. The Biofuel mailing list has been outing Cornell University Prof. David Pimentel for five years -- see: http://snipurl.com/g33b biofuel - Search results for 'pimentel' And more recently his new ally Tad Patzek of Berkeley: http://snipurl.com/qfi1 biofuel - Search results for 'Patzek' In August 2001 Pimentel attacked the economics of corn-to-ethanol production in an article published in the Encyclopedia of Physical Sciences and Technology. Pimentel asserted that ethanol production is uneconomic: "The growers and processors can't afford to burn ethanol to make ethanol. US drivers couldn't afford it, either, if it weren't for government subsidies to artificially lower the price."
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"Ethanol fuel from corn faulted as 'unsustainable subsidized food burning' in analysis by Cornell scientist", August 6, 2001 -- "Neither increases in government subsidies to corn-based ethanol fuel nor hikes in the price of petroleum can overcome what one Cornell University agricultural scientist calls a fundamental input-yield problem: It takes more energy to make ethanol from grain than the combustion of ethanol produces." http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Aug01/corn-basedethanol. hrs.html
See Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol Results -six charts that show the picture at a glance (Acrobat file, 140 kb)
In a detailed analysis of Pimentel's research, Dr. Michael S. Graboski of the Colorado School of Mines says Pimentel's findings are based on out-of-date statistics (22 year-old data) and are contradicted by a recent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) study. "Comparison of USDA and Pimentel Net Energy Balances" -- "The USDA analysis clearly shows, contrary to the Pimentel paper, that US farming and ethanol manufacture are very
energy efficient, and that the energy content of ethanol delivered to the consumer is significantly larger than the total fossil energy inputs required to produce it. USDA estimates that ethanol facilities produce at least 1.23 units of energy as ethanol for every fossil BTU included considering all energy inputs related to corn farming, corn transport, ethanol production, and distribution and transport of finished ethanol." Full report: http://www.ncga.com/public_policy/issues/2001/ ethanol/08_22_01b.htm "Pimentel clearly does not understand the economics of ethanol manufacture" -- a full rebuttal, from the US National Corn Growers Association. http://www.ncga.com/public_policy/issues/2001/ ethanol/08_22_01a.htm Another rebuttal: "Industry Argues That Ethanol Delivers" In fact this isn't the first time Pimentel had published misinformation about ethanol, nor the first time critics had poked his analyses full of holes. He knows he's using outdated data, but that doesn't stop him. In 1998 he published this report: "Energy and Dollar Costs of Ethanol Production with Corn" by David Pimentel, April 1998 -- "Ethanol does not provide energy security for the future. It is not a renewable energy source, is costly in terms of production and subsidies, and its production causes serious environmental degradation." http://hubbert.mines.edu/news/v98n2/mkh-new7.html This report was debunked by, among others, Michael Wang and Dan Santini of the Center for Transportation Research, Argonne National Laboratory, who conducted a series of detailed analyses on energy and emission impacts of corn ethanol from 1997 through 1999: "Corn-Based Ethanol Does Indeed Achieve Energy Benefits" -- "Prof. David Pimentel's 1998 assessment of corn ethanol concluded that corn ethanol achieved a negative energy balance (which is usually defined as the energy in a product minus energy used to produce the product). Unfortunately, his assessment lacked timeliness in that it relied on data appropriate to conditions of the 1970s and early 1980s, but clearly not the 1990s... With up-to-date information on corn farming and ethanol production and treating ethanol co-products fairly, we have concluded that corn-based ethanol now has a positive energy
balance of about 20,000 Btu per gallon." http://www.ncga.com/public_policy/issues/2001/ ethanol/08_22_01c.htm Wang and Santini found that Pimentel had been recycling his already-ancient data for at least 10 years. In August 2002 a new report from the USDA found that not only is ethanol energy-efficient, it's efficiency is steadily improving. "Only Dr. Pimentel disagrees with this analysis. But his outdated work has been refuted by experts from entities as diverse as the USDA, DOE, Argonne National Laboratory, Michigan State University, and the Colorado School of Mines. While the opponents of ethanol will no doubt continue to peddle Pimentel's baseless charges, they are absolutely without credibility," the Renewable Fuels Association commented. "From stalk to fuel tank, ethanol a net energy gain" -Washington, August 7, 2002, Reuters: Measured from cornfield to the fuel tank, ethanol provides more energy than is consumed in producing it, researchers said in a new report that could figure in congressional debate over U.S. energy policy. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/17186/story. htm The Renewable Fuels Association report on the study: http://www.ethanolrfa.org/pr020801b.html Full report (Acrobat file, 176 kb): http://www.usda.gov/oce/oepnu/aer-814.pdf Biofuels: Energy Balance, Environmental and Energy Study Institute, October, 2003 -- ... A 2002 study by the US Department of Agriculture that accounts for gasoline and diesel fuel use, fertilizers and a variety of other energy inputs in the production, concluded that the energy balance of ethanol is 1.34:1. This means that ethanol "yields 34% more energy than it takes to produce it, including growing the corn, harvesting it, transporting it and distilling it into ethanol." These data are consistent with a study by Dr. Bruce Dale, Michigan State University (2002), and a study by Argonne National Laboratory (1999). http://www.eesi.org/programs/agriculture/ Energy%20Balance%20update.htm Energy Balance/Life Cycle Inventory for Ethanol, Biodiesel and Petroleum Fuels, Minnesota Department of Agriculture -- ... "The finished liquid fuel energy yield for fossil
fuel dedicated to the production of ethanol is 1.34 but only 0.74 for gasoline. In other words the energy yield of ethanol is (1.34/0.74) or 81 percent greater than the comparable yield for gasoline." http://www.mda.state.mn.us/Ethanol/balance.html Pimentel's arguments Under the heading "Food Versus Fuel Issues", Pimentel writes that "expanding ethanol production could entail diverting essential cropland from producing corn needed to sustain human life to producing corn for ethanol factories." He says corn is "a humanfood resource" and adds: "Present food shortages throughout the world call attention to the importance of continuing US exports of corn and other grains for human food to reduce malnutrition and starvation. Increased corn exports... most importantly help feed people who need additional food for their survival." But as Pimentel should surely know, most US corn is used for feeding animals, not hungry people -- 76% of the corn used in the US is used for animal feed. Twenty percent of the total US corn crop is exported; two-thirds of these exports go directly to the wealthy industrial OECD countries, mostly to feed animals. Less than three-tenths of one percent of total US corn exports went to the 25 poorest countries in 1996. More US corn goes to make alcoholic beverages in the US than is exported to feed the hungry in the world's 25 most undernourished countries combined. The Energetics of Ethanol: An Introduction and Link to Studies by David Morris, Institute for Local Self-Reliance -Does it take more energy to make ethanol than is contained in ethanol? That question continues to haunt the ethanol industry even after 27 years of expanding production. Over the years more than 20 scientific studies have examined the question. This document contains links to the major studies of the subject completed during the last decade. http://www.newrules.org/agri/netenergy.html MSU Ethanol Energy Balance Study, May 2002. Independent study by Michigan State University MSU shows that there is 56% more energy in a gallon of ethanol than it takes to produce it. "The available energy from ethanol is much higher than the input energy for producing ethanol. In other words, using ethanol as a liquid transportation fuel would significantly reduce domestic use of petroleum even in the worstcase scenario." 288kb Acrobat file:
http://www.ethanol.org/pdfs/msu_ethanol_study.pdf Ethanol Can Contribute to Energy and Environmental Goals, Alexander E. Farrell, Richard J. Plevin, Brian T. Turner, Andrew D. Jones, Michael OHare, Daniel M. Kammen, SCIENCE, Vol. 311, 27 Jan. 2006: "Studies that reported negative net energy incorrectly ignored coproducts and used some obsolete data. All studies indicated that current corn ethanol technologies are much less petroleum-intensive than gasoline but have greenhouse gas emissions similar to those of gasoline." 180kb Acrobat file: http://www.ethanol.org/documents/ ScienceJournalJanuary2006_000.pdf Pimentel published further reports attacking the ethanol energy balance in 2003 and again in 2005, this time accompanied by Tad Patzek of the University of California, Berkeley. This time they attacked biodiesel as well, which is firmly established as energyefficient, even biodiesel from soybean monocrops grown by the usual fossil-fuel intensive industrial agriculture methods. Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower, David Pimentel and Tad W. Patzek, Natural Resources Research, Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2005 (C 2005). 116kb Acrobat file. News release from Cornell University, July 5, 2005: "Cornell ecologist's study finds that producing ethanol and biodiesel from corn and other crops is not worth the energy." http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/July05/ethanol.toocostly.ssl. html Pimentel still used the antiquated data from his 1979 study. Some insight into Patzek's bias against ethanol can be found on his own website: http://petroleum.berkeley.edu/patzek/index.htm. Patzek worked for Shell Oil Company as a researcher, consultant, and expert witness. He founded and directs the UC Oil Consortium, which is mainly funded by the oil industry at the rate of US$60,000-120,000 per company per year. See Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol Results -- six charts that show the picture at a glance (Acrobat file, 140 kb) New study confronts old thinking on ethanol's net
energy value, 3/28/2005 -- Ethanol generates 35% more energy than it takes to produce, according to a recent study by Argonne National Laboratory conducted by Michael Wang. The new findings support earlier research that determined ethanol has a positive net energy balance, according to the National Corn Growers Association. That research was conducted by USDA, Michigan State University, the Colorado School of Mines, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and other public and private entities. Argonne is one of the US Department of Energy's largest research centers. http://www.agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata /ag/story/data/agNews_050328crETHANOL.xml&catref=ag1001 Report on the new study : http://www.ncga.com/public_policy/PDF/03_28_05 ArgonneNatlLabEthanolStudy.pdf A USDA study released in 2004 found that ethanol may net as much as 67% more energy than it takes to produce. http://www.ethanol.org/documents/NetEnergyBalanceofEthanol. pdf Regarding the energy balance of biodiesel, see, eg: Life Cycle Inventory of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel for Use in an Urban Bus -- A Joint Study Sponsored by: U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Energy Final Report May 1998. 1.8 Mb Acrobat file: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24089.pdf An Overview of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel Life Cycles, Sheehan, Camobreco, Duffield, Graboski, Shapouri, National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest Research Institute, May 1998. 655kb Acrobat file: http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/reports/ gen/19980501-gen-203.pdf How Much Energy Does It Take To Make A Gallon of Soydiesel? by David Morris, Irshad Ahmed and John Decker, 15-Feb-05, 1.5Mb Acrobat file: http://www.carbohydrateeconomy.org/library/admin/ uploadedfiles/ How_Much_Energy_Does_It_Take_To_Make_A_Gallon_.pdf "The Pimentel/Patzek study uses outdated information on agricultural practices as well as unrealistic and unsubstantiated
assumptions regarding energy inputs. At least eight other peerreviewed studies that have been conducted over the past 12 years find exactly the opposite, that biodiesel has a highly positive energy balance. This new study is not convincing and does not represent a significant contribution or advance in this area of energy research." -- Dr. Robert McCormick, US DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in National Biodiesel Board, DOE, USDA Officials Dispute Biofuels Study: Pimentel/ Patzak study deeply flawed, researchers say, NBB, July 21, 2005. 36kb Acrobat file: http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/pressreleases/gen/ 20050721_pimentel_response.pdf Energy Balance of Biodiesel Units of energy produced for 1 unit of energy consumed * - Petroleum 0.88 units produced - Ethanol 1.62 units produced - Soy Biodiesel 3.24 units produced *USDA
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
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What standard farm?

The energy in-energy out life-cycle studies use a standard farm as the production model. Such a thing as a standard farm may exist as a statistical average, but a "standard" farming procedure is a myth even on industrialised farms. Anyway, industrial farming has about as much future as the cheap fossil fuels it depends on so heavily, it's hardly a suitable model for sustainable biofuels
production. What would these models have to do with a homesteader who has a good supply of waste wood to burn and no better way of using it, plus a large supply of past-their-use-by-date cakes from a bread factory that he's rescuing from the waste stream? (An actual case.) The cakes could go to a pig farm instead, but they don't. There are many such niches -- spoiled fruit from farms that ought to have pigs but don't, and so on and on. Such factors never get calculated. What would it have to do with this? "We are looking at a very interesting integrated distillery approach being developed by the Brazilians, where instead of going for the large 300,000 litres per day plants, a fully integrated approach is taken with a 1,500 ha area, farmed by small growers, and feeding sugarcane and sweet sorghum into a 20,000 litres per day plant, with cattle feedlots at the distillery, the manure going into [biogas] digesters with the stillage, producing enough energy for the distillery, leaving the bulk of the bagasse to be used for power generation to supply the surrounding areas." (Energy projects in Africa.) See also Bio-regional energy -- India's Talukas. Once you start looking at the local level and at integrated approaches to crop production and wastes, and include energy production and use, a different picture emerges that leaves these broad generalisations without much meaning. A sustainable mixed farm can produce all its own fuel, with much or possibly all of it coming from crop by-products and waste products without any dedicated land use, and with very low input levels. Biofuels production only makes real sense when the fuel is used as close as possible to where the crop is grown. It makes no sense to waste energy trucking crops long distances to a centralised Big Biofuels plant and then wasting even more energy trucking it all the way back again. The Fuel Miles issue is the same as the Food Miles issue. See also How much fuel can we grow? How much land will it take? There's yet another way of looking at it. This is from OffgridOnline, April 5, 2000. http://www.offgridknowhow.com/ "Will we get out more energy than we put in? Does it matter?
Generally a scheme that did not create more energy than it consumed would be useless, but in this case we might have a different view. Since we are after a portable fuel, we might be willing to spend more energy to get it, so long as we used a nonportable fuel to do so. For example, suppose we use wood-fired heat to make alcohol. Wood is a poor fuel as far as portability in general is concerned and is nearly useless for internal combustion engines. [But see Woodgas -- JtF] So what if we have to spend 2 BTUs of wood heat for each BTU of alcohol fuel produced? That might still be a good deal if we had lots of wood and gasoline was (that is, continues to be) highly priced." http://www.homesteadtechnology.com/newsletters/20000405.txt The Sierra Club, among other "green" organisations in the US, has a different objection to ethanol. They see the whole issue as clouded by the high levels of nitrogen fertilisers used to grow the maize, and the eco-damage the N-runoff causes. But that's an objection to US factory farming, not to ethanol. In a more rational system there's no need for nitrogen fertilisers, and no loss of yield through not using them. One 15-year study found that organic farming is not only kinder to the environment than "conventional", intensive agriculture but has comparable yields of both products and profits. The study showed that yields of organic maize are identical to yields of maize grown with fertilisers and pesticides, while soil quality in the organic fields dramatically improves. (Drinkwater, L.E., Wagoner, P. & Sarrantonio, M. Legume-based cropping systems have reduced carbon and nitrogen losses. Nature 396, 262265.) These findings are widely corroborated. See, eg: The case for organics -- Scientific studies and reports It seems strange that an organisation like the Sierra Club doesn't know about organic farming, or pretends not to. But then they're still fighting diesels.
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Wood fires that fit - Appropriate technology: Journey to Forever
Wood fires that fit

Improved stoves Wood-gas stoves Charcoal Wood gas Resources Half of humanity cooks over woodfires -- the poorer half. Nearly half the world's wood supply is used as fuel. But it's not enough -- more than 2 billion people are facing fuelwood shortages. Forests in the developing countries are shrinking by more than 15 million hectares a year. The ratio of forests-to-people is less than half what it was in 1960. For most, there's little alternative to burning wood -- wood energy is here to stay.
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In fact burning wood is no bad thing: the efficient use of wood fuel is much more eco-friendly than more efficient and convenient fuels like kerosene and natural gas (LPG). LPG emits 15 times more CO2 (carbon dioxide) per kg than wood, and kerosene nearly 10 times as much. CO2 is the main source of global warming. And as long as wood burning is sustainable and doesn't cause deforestation, its CO2 emissions are neutral -- the CO2 released in the fire simply gets recycled back into more trees. But at this rate it's not sustainable, and most woodfires and cooking stoves are inefficient -- they waste energy, and they pollute the atmosphere both indoors and out. Indoor smoke pollution now ranks 8th in health burden worldwide (lost years of healthy life), and ranks fourth in the "least-developed" countries (which make up about 40% of the world population) according to the World Health Organization's World Health Report 2002. http://www.who.int/whr/2002/en/index.html Full report: "Reducing indoor air pollution in rural households in Kenya: working with communities to find solutions", ITDG project 1998-2001, January 2002. Acrobat file, 3.4Mb http://www.itdg.org/html/advocacy/docs/smoke_project_report.pdf Smoke -- the killer in the kitchen: Smoke in the home from cooking on wood, dung and crop waste kills nearly one million children a year. The total annual death toll is 1.6 million -- a life lost every 20 seconds. Acute respiratory infections, ear and eye problems, breathlessness, chest pains, headaches and giddiness are just some of
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the symptoms that poor woman and children suffer in their rural homes. http://www.itdg.org/?id=smoke_index Download full report (4.7Mb Acrobat file): http://www.itdg.org/?id=smoke_report_home#Download Summary of the report http://www.itdg.org/?id=smoke_report_home Read the report online http://www.itdg.org/?id=smoke_report_1 WHO statement on indoor air pollution http://www.itdg.org/?id=iap_who There's no single answer -- like most development and environment issues, it needs an integrated approach. Cheap, simple and effective solar box cookers have tremendous potential, but again they are only part of the solution, though an important part (see Solar box cookers). Initiatives such as agroforestry for small farms (see Farming with trees) and people-centred forestation projects rather than industrial plantations are taking effect and have great promise (see Trees, soil and water). The forestation projects that work best are the grassroots-level projects that involve local communites at every level. When they're in control, local people maintain the forests they depend on, and the main thing they depend on them for is usually firewood -- one reason alternative fuels may not always be a good idea. But it is a good idea to find better ways of burning the wood. One answer is better wood-burning stoves.
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Improved stoves
Improved stoves save fuel and cut healthdamaging indoor smoke pollution. Almost every country in Asia has its own improved cook stoves program. In 15 years India's program has distributed nearly 30 million improved chulha clay stoves to rural and semi-urban households (with 90 million households to go). Each new stove can save the equivalent of 210 kg of coal/ soft coke a year, or 40 litres of kerosene, a huge overall saving. "Improved Solid Biomass Burning Cookstoves: A Development Manual" by Prof. S.K. Sharma, Director of the Energy Research Centre of Punjab University, Field

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In Kerala, India, more than half a million homes now have Parishad ovens -- highefficiency wood burning stoves which use at least
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Document No. 44, 1993, FAO Regional Wood Energy Development Program in Asia
Improved chulha stove in India (FAO)
Basic information on the development and dissemination of improved cookstoves, for field workers and others. 125-page manual covers History, Principles of Improved Cookstove Design and Development, Wood and Biomass, Improved Cookstove Technologies, Environmental and Health Implications, The Kitchen,
50% less firewood, saving 0.6-0.8 million tons of firewood a year.
Improved Cookstoves as Combined Technology, Future Needs, Bibliography and Appendix (Chimneys). http://144.16.93.203/energy/HC270799/RWEDP/fd44.html Download the manual (Acrobat file, 943kb): http://144.16.93.203/energy/HC270799/RWEDP/acrobat/fd44.pdf The thermal efficiency of the improved stoves is 25-35%, compared to only 610% for traditional stoves. But even the improved stoves aren't very efficient -they could be up to three times more efficient, saving an enormous amount of energy (trees), and cutting pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at the same time, with big savings for poor households.
"It is not impossible to have a biomass cook stove with total combustion and an approachable efficiency of around 65%, and also made available at an affordable cost," says Prof. P.D. Grover of the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. He says a "Dream Stove" would cost from US $8-12, or less with mass production and the use of local materials. See "Cost Estimates For A 'Dream Stove' For Asia": http://www.repp.org/discussiongroups/resources/ stoves/Grover/paper-grover.htm Biomass Cooking Stoves -- Resources page for the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) Stoves Mailing List discussions. "This site exists to help people develop better stoves for cooking with biomass fuels in developing regions." Worldwide Stoves A to Z, Stoves By Country, and much more. The best website on all aspects of cookstoves.
Mirte improved stoves in Ethiopia halve wood consumption and vacate the smoke (Mike Bess, Energy for Sustainable Development, UK)
http://www.repp.org/discussiongroups/resources/stoves/ Gallery of Cook Stoves (2003), with links to papers on designad, techniques and more. http://www.repp.org/discussiongroups/resources/stoves/gal2003.htm Gallery of Cooking Stoves: Gallery of Current Work (2002) http://www.repp.org/discussiongroups/resources/stoves/gallery.html Improved Cookstoves and Charcoal Production -- "The Appropriate Technology Sourcebook: A Guide to Practical Books for Small Community Technology" by Ken Darrow and Mike Saxenian, revised and enlarged edition, 1993, Consortium for Sustainable Village Based Development (CSVBD) ISBN 0917704185. This section of the Sourcebook has reviews of 37 books on improved cookstoves and charcoal production covering all aspects of the subject from design to community acceptance, along with a concise but thorough 1,000-word overview of the problems, constraints and solutions. It includes some wise cautions. For instance, you might assume that the less smoke the better, but you might be wrong: "In many places, smoke from indoor cooking fires is a significant contributor to lung and eye disease. Yet this smoke also serves to dry crops hung over the cooking area and to protect thatched roofs from insect damage" -- a classic pitfall for the unwary development worker. It's best to assume that your assumptions will be wrong. The reviews are pithy and to-the-point, with sources for the books and prices. Reading the whole section (about 8,000 words) will give you an excellent introduction to this highly promising but far from simple field of work. Online at publishers Village Earth/CSVBD: http://www.villageearth.org/atnetwork/atsourcebook/index.htm Appropriate Technology Library: AT Library Disk #14: Energy: General and Energy: Cookstoves -- A Woodstove Compendium. Covers wood-burning cookstove design and construction, testing procedures, evaluating fuel consumption, charcoal making, different fuels, and much more. http://www.villageearth.org/Merchant2/ merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code= ATL&Product_Code=ATL14&Category_Code=98675 Appropriate Technology Library: AT Library Disk #15: Energy: Cookstoves Cont. & Energy: Wind -- Improved Stoves, Comparisons, indoor smoke pollution, Splitting Firewood, Markets, Testing Timber for Moisture, Improved Pit-Kiln for Charcoal, the Jiko, and more. http://www.villageearth.org/Merchant2/ merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code= ATL&Product_Code=ATL15&Category_Code=98675 "Cookstoves for the Developing World" by Daniel M. Kammen
of Princeton University, Scientific American, 1995 -- "Traditional wood, charcoal and coal stoves are used in hundreds of millions of homes. Their redesign can have a dramatic effect on energy usage, the environment and community health." Good overview. http://www.wws.princeton.edu/programs/stpp.articles/cookstoves.html Rice-husk stoves -- The Manufacture of a Cement Extender from Rice-Husks using a Basket-Burner, by M. L. Allen -- Rice husk ash gives a range of good castable insulating and semi- refractory blocks when mixed with cement and water (12:1 to 3:1) -- ideal for making low-cost wood or charcoal stoves.
Wood-gas stoves
Wood-gas cooking stoves are perhaps the best answer so far. These are gasifiers that produce gas from wood and then burn the gas, leaving charcoal (itself a useful fuel). They're clean, fast and efficient. They burn small pieces of wood, sticks, wood chips, corncobs or nutshells, producing a clean, blue flame and no smoke. A lot of cunning engineering has gone into the Swosthee wood-gas stoves in Malaysia development of these stoves, and yet they're easily made from locally available materials -- even tin cans. Technically, they're called "inverted downdraft gasifier" stoves, operating on natural convection. How wood-gas stoves work: See A Wood-gas Stove For Developing Countries, T. B. Reed and Ronal Larson (268k Acrobat file). 300g of sticks or chips burn for 30-45 minutes at high efficiency with low emissions. Wood Gas -- The Biomass Energy Foundation's Home Page http://www.woodgas.com/
Richard Boyt's low-tech wood-gas stove, made The "Turbo" is a wood-gas, adjustable heat, from 10 tin cans
cooking stove that burns small pieces of wood or other biomass fuels such as nut shells, corn cobs, etc. An extremely clean burning stove that can be used indoors with only minimal ventilation and cooks as fast as a modern gas or electric stove.
It can boil 500 ml of water in 3.5 minutes, comparable to an electric or gas stove. It uses a 3 Watt blower and develops 3 kilowatts of heat. See Testing & Modeling the Wood-gas Turbo Stove, T. B. Reed, E. Anselmo and K. Kircher (Acrobat file, 296k). We made a prototype wood-gas stove out of two 400g tomato cans. One had lots of holes punched in the bottom and a sort of slider affair to control the air supply; the second can had no bottom and fitted on top of the first can, with a small gap. We filled the bottom can with small bits of wood, stacked upright, lit it with some tinder on top and put the second can on. The fire immediately stopped smoking and produced a clean, hot gas flame. It burned for half an hour, and left us with a pile of nice charcoal sticks. We don't know how else you'd get so little wood (only 120 grams, 4 ounces) to burn that long and that hot, and leave you with a fuel supply in the end.. For comparison we made an ordinary fire with the same amount of wood. It burned for only 10 minutes, smoked a lot, and left some unreusable ash and coals. Then we tried the charcoal from the stove: it burned nicely for 25 minutes without any smoke, leaving a small pile of ash. These stoves really work! -- 10 minutes of a smoky, flaming, energy-wasting wood fire, vs 55 minutes with stove and charcoal, no smoke, and much less residue. Our third prototype was much improved, with some innovations, though it's still far from perfect -- see Cookstoves for schools -- A wood-gas stove made from three tin cans. Aprovecho Research Center -- Latin American Stove Project, home of the Rocket Stove http://www.efn.org/~apro/attitlepage.html Stoves Mailing List Subscribe: stoves-subscribe@crest.org Unsubscribe: stoves-unsubscribe@crest.org Post message: stoves@crest.org Stoves List Archives and Website: http://www.crest.org/discussiongroups/ Other simple and effective stoves: The Hobo Stove
TrailStove Volcano kettle Backpack stove Scott Henderson's Pepsi Stove http://wings.interfree.it/html/Pepsi.html The Home Made Stove Archives http://wings.interfree.it/index.html SuperShioshio lives in Yokohama in Japan, he's a mountaineer and he collects backpack Volcano kettle camping stoves. "I seem to be attacked by stoves," he says -- he has more than 200 of them, stoves of every possible type, all on display at his website. http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~we2a-sod/index.htm
Charcoal
Charcoal is second only to wood as a Third World fuel. It's half the price of kerosene, a quarter the price of LPG or electric power. It burns without smoke, stores well without rotting, for the producers it's much lighter than wood and easier to transport, and producing it keeps many thousands in work. And it's a high-energy fuel -- ideal for local blacksmiths' forges and for small industry.
But it's a very wasteful fuel -cooking with charcoal uses much more wood than cooking with firewood. Burning wood to make charcoal wastes a lot of energy and creates a lot of pollution, and most Third World charcoal production is inefficient.
Traditional charcoal kiln (RWEDP)
Like firewood, the demand for charcoal is growing, and cannot be stopped. Again, there are tremendous savings to be made with more efficient cooking stoves, and also by improving the efficiency of charcoal production. See "Burning Charcoal Issues", Robert van der Plas, The World Bank Group, FPD Energy Note No. 1, April 1995 http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/energy/energynotes/energy01.html
Over 300,000 Lakech improved charcoal stoves have been sold in Ethiopia -- 35% efficiency improvement at US$1 each (Mike Bess, Energy for Sustainable Development, UK)
Wood gas
The Gengas Page -- Fuel gas, produced by the reduction of coal and peat, was used for heating as early as 1840 in Europe, and by 1884 it had been adapted to fuel engines in England. Petroleum shortages during World War II led to widespread gas generator applications in the transportation industries of Western Europe. (Charcoal-burning taxis, a related application, were still common in Korea as late as 1970.) This report attempts to preserve the knowledge about wood gasification as put into practical use during World War II. Detailed, step-by-step procedures are presented in this report for constructing a simplified version of the World War II, Imbert wood gas generator. Full text online. http://www.gengas.nu/byggbes/index.shtml Wood gas as engine fuel, Mechanical Wood Products Branch, Forest Industries Division, FAO Forestry Department, 1986, ISBN 92-5-102436-7 The harmful effect of high and rising oil prices on the economies and development efforts of oilimporting developing countries have become apparent. There has, as a result been increased interest in indigenous, renewable energy sources, of which biomass in the form of wood or agricultural residues is the most readily available in many developing countries. In many developing countries -- in particular in rural areas -- internal combustion engines are widely used in stationary applications such as electric power generation and operation of water pumps and mills. Technologies such as gasification, which allow utilization of biomass fuel in such engines after minimum preparation, are therefore of particular importance. A summary of modern wood gasification technology and the economics of its application to internal combustion engines. Full; text online. http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/T0512E/T0512e00.htm
The making of the Klle-gasifier by Torsten Klle, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering, 1942 (Translation to English 2000, Joacim Persson -- Torsten Klle's charcoal gasifier was somewhat ahead of its time. It was very popular due to its easy maintenance and fuel economy. Some features of this gasifier are perhaps recognised in modern gasification technology; among many things it was a sort of predecessor to what today is called 'circulating fluidised bed.' Charcoal gasifiers were generally more popular than wood gasifiers during the producer gas era in Sweden in the days of WW2, even as the wood gasifiers improved in design. Wood gas was cheaper, but charcoal gasifiers were so much easier to handle. http://www.hotel.ymex.net/~s-20222/gengas/kg_eng.html The Woodfired Gas Producer -- the Australian woodgas odyssey: "We reckoned on about 2,000 km per tonne of wood (2km/kg). This should be improved by the addition of steam to an expected 2,5003,000 km per tonne. The amount of water used is about the same as the gallonage of petrol that would be consumed." Detailed description, with drawings. http://members.tripod.com/~highforest/woodgas/woodfired. html Alternatives to Fossil Fueled Engine/Generators, by Clifford W. Mossberg -- Woodgas for engines and for power -- From Homepower Magazine. Acrobat file, 176kb History of Woodgas, by Tom Reed of the Biomass Energy Foundation http://www.woodgas.com/History.htm Woodgas Powered VW's and Other Vehicles http://www2.whidbey.net/ lighthook/woodgas.htm Gasification Reference Sites -Links from the Bioenergy Discussion Lists at REPP-CREST: Database, Investment, Small Scale Systems,Gas Quality, Co-firing, Research, Applications, Power Projects, Suppliers, Publications http://www.repp.org/articles/static/1/1011975339_7.html Briquette Presses for Alternate Fuel Use, by Jason Dahlman with Charlie Forst, 2001 -- Design for a simple briquette press that can also be used as an oil press for seeds. Acrobat file, 2.8Mb
http://www.echotech.org/technical/technotes/Briquete.pdf
Resources
FAO Regional Wood Energy Development Program in Asia (RWEDP): "Growing Demand for Wood Energy" http://144.16.93.203/energy/HC270799/RWEDP/index.html RWEDP Publications: Data, Planning and Policies, Resources, Conversion, Utilisation (Stoves, Industries), Woodfuel Flows and Trade, Gender, Environment, and more http://144.16.93.203/energy/HC270799/RWEDP/public.html RWEDP Documents for Download: Field Documents, Reports and Miscellaneous Documents, Wood Energy News, Additional Papers -Texts of presentations, lectures, etc http://144.16.93.203/energy/HC270799/RWEDP/download.html RWEDP: Issues in Wood Energy -- major issues in wood energy, with a comprehensive overviewand links to related issues and publication. Covers Utilization, Supply, Planning and more. http://144.16.93.203/energy/HC270799/RWEDP/issues.html Can a small NGO match a huge multinational oil company when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Dr. W.S. Hulscher, Chief Technical Adviser for the Regional Wood Energy Development Program in Asia (RWEDP), compares the effects of a local NGO distributing 15,000 improved wood and charcoal stoves a year in Laos with the potential of a large production facility for photovoltaic solar energy panels built by Shell in Europe -- with surprising results: they're equal. "Solar electricity is 1,000 times more expensive than cooking on wood," he adds. See The Battle in the Greenhouse. Intermediate Technology Development Group books and manuals on fuel-saving cookstoves: Biomass Stoves -- Samuel F Baldwin. http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=0866192743 Modern Stoves for All -- Waclaw Micuta. http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=0946688354 Improved Wood Waste and Charcoal Burning Stoves: A practitioners manual http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=0946688656
The Kenya Ceramic Jiko: A manual for stovemakers -- Hugh Allen. http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=1853390836 Stove Maker, Stove User: Fuel-efficient stoves in Sri Lanka -- Val Rea and Mike Martin http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=1853390992 How to Make and Use the Upesi Stove: Guidelines for small businesses -- Vivienne Abbott, Clare Heyting and Rose Akinyi http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=9966960600 Appropriate Mud Stoves in East Africa -- Stephen Gitonga http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=9966960643 "Portable Metallic Cookstoves", Industry Profile #12, Understanding Technology Series, Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), 1988, ISBN 0-86619-299-9 Guide for local artisans or small-scale local industries to manufacture a wood-saving, money-saving, wood-burning cookstove which uses a small amount of wood and cooks rapidly. Reduces wood use and cooking times by about half. Can be made from new or recycled sheet steel (such as cut-up oil drums) by anyone with a hammer and chisel. Designed to reduce the use of fuelwood in response to deforestation of such areas as the West African Sahel. List of Publications (64kb Acrobat file): http://www.enterpriseworks.org/PDFs/ VITA%20Publications%20Catalogue.pdf Publications order form: http://www.enterpriseworks.org/PDFs/ Publications%20Order%20Form.pdf "Come home to wood heat, it's good for you." The Wood Heat Organization is a non-profit NGO dedicated to the responsible use of wood as a home heating fuel. Incorporated in Canada and still with a North American focus, its objective is to provide useful information to anyone who uses wood for home heating, wherever in the world they live. "Wood is an effective, renewable energy source for household heating and cooking when sustainable forestry methods are used for fuel supply and when the fuel is burned using appropriate technologies and techniques." Why heat with wood? -- woodburning technologies -hearths -- chimneys -- firewood -- safety -- tips and techniques -environment -- lore. http://www.woodheat.org/index.htm
"Top down fever -- a new (old) fire-building technique": the top-down technique is the counter-intuitive opposite of the usual way of building fires, but it works, and works better, with much less smoke. http://www.woodheat.org/tips/topdown.htm "Fuel For The Fires: Charcoal Making in the Nineteenth Century", Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association (June, 1994). http://www.connerprairie.org/ fuel.html How to make charcoal at home -- using a 55gallon oil drum: full instructions, with further information and links. http://www.velvitoil.com/Charmake.htm Making your own charcoal -- simple step-bystep instructions with diagrams using an oil drum. http://www.eaglequest.com/~bbq/ charcoal/index.html
Appropriate technology Appropriate technology resources - Agriculture resources - Wood resources Blacksmithing Wood fires that fit Houses that fit Water-powered water pumps Journey to Forever and AT - Chinese watering cans - Handmade Projects watering can plans - Hoe for victory! - Billhooks and sickles A better rat trap - Rats and owls - Chinese rat trap - How to make a Chinese rat trap - Bucket rat trap Appropriate technology subjects
Copyright of all original material on this website is the property of Keith Addison, unless otherwise stated, and may be copied and distributed for non-commercial education purposes only as long as the source of the material is stated and a reference to the Journey to Forever website URL is included (http:// journeytoforever.org/). All material is provided "as is" without guarantees or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Journey to Forever: Hong Kong to Cape Town Overland - An adventure in en...elcome, participation, online education, school projects, free of charge
Japanese | Chinese | Espaol -- Biocombustibles
The Project
Site Search
Journey to Forever is a pioneering expedition by a small, mobile NGO (Non-Government Organization) involved in environment and rural development work, starting from Hong Kong and travelling 40,000 kilometres through 26 countries in Asia and Africa to Cape Town, South Africa. Our route will take us away from the cities and populated districts to remote and inaccessible areas (usually also the least developed and poorest areas), where we'll be studying and reporting on environmental conditions and working for local NGOs on rural development projects in local communities. The focus will be on trees, soil and water, sustainable farming, sustainable technology, and family nutrition. The aim is to help people fight poverty and hunger, and to help sustain the environment we all must share.
Our website has had more than 26 million visits! Site updated on 20 September 2006 Visit the Journey to Forever Online Libraries: Biofuels Library Small Farms Library
Introduction
What people are saying about us About Handmade Projects Sitemap (text only) Projects Community development
Seats for everyone

This is a participatory project. It's both a real journey and a virtual one via a high-speed satellite link with the vehicles and interactive forums online at our Website, where participants -- expert consultants or anyone with a PC and a modem, and especially schoolchildren -- can take an active part in the project as it unfolds.
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Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
Participation will be real, not just a token: the project team will organize the expedition, undertake the journey and do the work, but we'll be looking to our online participants to help give the project its shape as the journey unfolds. Whoever you are and wherever you are, you can make a real difference! Everybody's welcome -- it's free, and open to all.
Organic gardening
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Schools
Schoolchildren are a special part of Journey to Forever -- this is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the issues that are so vital to the world they'll inherit. At the same time they'll learn how to use the new information technology in innovative and creative ways, linking and collaborating with other children in other lands, learning together, and contributing to real issues. It's open to schools everywhere -- via satellite link, we'll take participating schoolchildren into classrooms in villages very far from anywhere.
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
Solar box cookers


Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Good news
Environment and development issues are usually bad news: millions of children starve, tropical forests are destroyed, pollution spreads everywhere, there's even a hole in the sky. But that's only one side of the story. Journey to Forever will cross a huge expanse of the globe, and we expect to find plenty of good news and cause for optimism -- and to help demonstrate that ordinary people, even children, can make a positive contribution to the health and future of this most beautiful planet.
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers Backpack stove PicoTurbine Low-tech radio What to do with a cardboard carton
First stop
Japan! -- not indeed a poor Third World country. Our stay here is the final part of project preparation before starting the journey. We're living in a 100-year-old traditional farmhouse in a rural village up in the mountains near Kyoto, with farming land and workshops, we're much involved in on-the-ground sustainability, Appropriate Technology and biofuels projects here and elsewhere in Japan. We're giving all our technology and resources a final,
Sisters of silk Silkworms in a shoebox School gardens School composting Trees and forests The Beach House fish pond HOMeR Eco-footprint School and youth programs on the Web Education resources on the Web Children's poetry Contact us
real-world test-run, finding and filling in the gaps, adapting what needs adapting, developing what's missing. When we're ready, we'll leave, and the Journey-proper will begin.
More news soon!
What people are saying about us
IMF and World Bank: Out of Control -- THE International Monetary Fund and World Bank are institutions out of control. For evidence, consider the institutions' feeble and fatally flawed debt relief program. Under their Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative, the world's poorest countries can receive reduction of approximately one third of their current payments to overseas creditors -- if they endure six years of closely monitored, extremely intrusive "structural adjustment." ... HIPC is the institutions' most important fig-leaf, a program designed to obscure the view of the harm they are doing to poor countries. Greenwash + 10 -- The UN's "Global Compact" with global corporations associates with notorious violators of UN values -Global Compact companies have already violated the Principles of the Compact, without censure -- or even acknowledgement -- from UN officials. The Global Compact represents a smuggling of a business agenda into the United Nations. It should not be considered a contribution to or framework for the Johannesburg Summit. Here's the evidence.
StudyWeb Academic Excellence Award -"selected as a featured site in Lightspan's StudyWeb as one of the best educational resources on the Web", 11 April 2001
Technology and the poor -- The United Nations Development Programme's "Human Development Report 2001 -- Making new technologies work for human development" attempts to address a key question for the 21st century: will technology entrench millions in even greater poverty -- or can it be used to eradicate poverty and suffering? But the key issue is not "making new technologies work for human development" but enabling poor people to make technologies work for them. Philip Morris Sees the Light -- After decades of denial about the hazards of tobacco, Philip Morris has been promoting the benefits to society of premature deaths from smoking, in a study that found the early deaths of smokers have "positive effects" for society that more than counteract the medical costs of treating smoking induced cancer and other diseases. The Enemies of Democracy -- Report of a chilling, documented history of ongoing corporate efforts to use propaganda and "public relations" to distort science, manipulate public opinion, discredit democracy, and consolidate political power in the hands of a wealthy few. Murder that is a threat to survival -- When indigenous peoples lose their languages, unique ecological knowledge also disappears. Languages are being murdered faster than ever before. Seed patents threaten world food resources -- The threat to the future availability of the seeds used to feed the world. The wreckers who trade in misery -- There is a real danger that dedicated and well-organised groups will cause the rulesbased trading system to collapse, destroying efforts to reduce poverty and global inequality. BP -- Beyond Preposterous -- BP spent more on its new ecofriendly logo in 1999 than on renewable energy. BP's second Greenwash award in 18 months. Shell wins Greenwash Award -- Shell claims it is at the forefront of reducing harmful greenhouse gases, but the company is full of hot air. Talking pure manure -- Agribusiness mouth Denis T. Avery is a liar, and he knows it. Here's the proof., and the truth of the matter.
EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD Awesome Library: top 5% of K-12 education sites
Listed at Education World -- "Where educators go to learn"
Hi-tech crops are bad for the brain -- "Miracle" crops, hailed as the answer to global famine, are contributing to widespread brain impairment in the developing world, a new report concludes. The WTO: "These guys just don't get it!" -- "This was supposed to be a seminar on how to rebuild public confidence in the WTO, not transform the agency into the former Soviet KBG." Countering myth with facts -- "Agriculture [read: "agribusiness"] needs to educate the general public and government officials to counter myth with facts". But which is which? Rape of a rainforest -- Malaysian timber companies have become notorious for their systematic destruction of the world's remaining rainforests: report on an ecological and social crime. Do pesticides cause cancer? -- The answer, from chemical corporation Monsanto's "Fact Sheet On Pesticide Use": "Number of active ingredients in pesticides found to cause cancer in animals or humans: 107." Read on!
What people are saying about Journey to Forever - Media, awards, and comments
South China Morning Post Sunday Magazine, 21 November 1999
Ming Pao Daily, Hong Kong, 14 April 1999
Media publicity
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ATV World Hong Kong aired a halfhour prime-time documentary on Journey to Forever on "Inside Story"on 21 June 1999 (re-broadcast on 27 December 1999)
South China Morning Post Sunday Magazine, Hong Kong, feature story, 21 November 1999 The Japan Times, 11 August 1999 Mainichi Daily News, Japan, 11 August 1999 South China Morning Post, Hong Kong, lead letter, 20 July 1999 Hong Kong Economic Times, 5 July 1999 ATV World, Hong Kong, Inside Story, half-hour prime-time documentary, 21 June 1999; -- re-broadcast on 27 December, 1999 Radio 3, RTHK, Hong Kong, interview, 1 May 1999 Ming Pao newspaper, Hong Kong, News Focus, 30 April 1999 Ming Pao newspaper, Hong Kong, lead article, main feature page, 14 April 1999 Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island West, guest speaker, 9 April 1999
See Biodiesel in Hong Kong for more press publicity.
Awards and recommendations

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EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD Awesome Library: a collection of the top 5% of sites in the field of K-12 education
Top 5% in K-12 Education Listed at Education World
Ming Pao Daily, Hong Kong, 30 April 1999
"Where educators go to learn" StudyWeb Academic Excellence Award
Midori as guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island West, 9 April 1999
"Selected as a featured site in Lightspan's StudyWeb as one of the best educational resources on the Web", 11 April 2001

"I am REALLY impressed! This is seriously the best web site on these subjects I have ever seen, made all the better because it was put together by somebody who's actually DOING these things and not just reading about them! What a wonderful thing you are doing, Keith... that really made my day to see it. I thought I'd put in a plug for your site on the list, too, especially for those who are homeschooling. Your site is a kid's every dream come true." -- Lee Flier, Permaculturist, Third World development worker, host of the Homestead mailing list "Excellent site. Top notch. Skeptics should check out
HK Economic Times, 5 July 1999
Poultry for small farms. This is the best overview of the subject that I have seen. I will send to the gardening site all those who complain that they don't have enough room to garden. And I especially appreciate the pertinent news reporting with sources attached." -- Gene GeRue, author of "How To Find Your Ideal Country Home" http://www.ruralize.com/ "Your website has occupied my attention all day now. Your Journey is very intriguing... I agree with you that 'change is in the air' and I think many people are tired of feeling cynical and hopeless, and are 'hungry' for new leadership and wisdom to, as you say, 'mix the old with the new' and 'fix what we have broken'." -- Cheryl Long, Senior Editor, "Organic Gardening Magazine" "Congratulations on your inspiring web site and your phenomenal project! I was fighting back tears as I read over your web site today. Your vision is so powerful that you will have many followers on your journey." -- Joshua Tickell, Writer -- Photographer http://www.veggievan.org/ "Try driving from Hong Kong to South Africa while doing development work along the way and you end up driving, well, almost forever. Journey to Forever is awesome and it is the primary inspiration for eVoyage." -- Joshua Tickell, eVoyage http://eVoyage.org/
The Japan Times, 11 August 1999
South China Morning Post, Hong Kong, 20 July 1999
"Hands down, my pick of the season is Journey to Forever" -- Spring edition of The Biodiesel Newsletter (6,000 subscribers in 20 countries). http://www.veggievan.org/ "You have expanded my horizon and the notebook, great start to the day." -- Heidi Carter, preparing a resource notebook for the 1890 Land-Grant Universities Agroforestry Conference from June 13 to 15, 2000, at Alabama A & M University. "I very much enjoyed reading your material, and I want to thank you for the trouble you went to to make it available."
-- Bill Hunt "I had to let you know that we had some wonderful success based on information we obtained from your web site. Keep up the good work..." -- Dave Margetts, making biodiesel in Ontario, Canada "It really was a journey to forever And I for one enjoyed the journey and I will come back again For you have made it plain Re-cycling is what can save our land
Mainichi Daily News, Japan, 11 August 1999
"Each of us can do a little something And your site will inspire and hopefully Lead others down the path that we are both on Into a happier world most definitely "Keep up the good work" -- Rex Tyler, Cook's Delight, organic grocer and online shop, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK http://www.organiccooksdelight.co.uk/ "Thanks -- you guys are doing a great thing and I want to help to spread the consciousness of alternative energy possibilities." -- Josh Thayer "Great job -- keep up the great work." -- Sal, "Don't Panic -- Eat Organic" -- an organic farmers homepage http://www.rain.org/~sals/my.html "I'm so overwhelmed! I could spend weeks at this site!" -- Kay Dixon "I could spend hours reading it! I've bookmarked it for the kids, too!" -- Tammy in Colorado "Thanks and praises for an excellent site -- a nexus, or a vortex, where all the basics are covered ... brilliant!" -- earth sol "I can only be astonished by you and Keith's dream, direction, and warmness for the people all over the world. I hope I can learn through this journey and help people
who are indeed in need of support and care." -- William, student, Hong Kong "You are great! I want to know more about your trip. It is a great job. I am a teacher, can our students join the project, such as join the discussion or share the experience?" -- Chris, teacher, Hong Kong "I'm not sure why, but I shed tears after reading about your planned journey. I think it is a terribly meaningful thing to do. Please let me know the details of your trip as it progresses. I hope I can be of help in whatever small way." -- Simon, Hong Kong "The trip is really very interesting and meaningful. I really want to join the journey!" -- Virginia, student, Hong Kong "Journey to Forever is very interesting and meaningful. Especially in Hong Kong, it is rare for people to devote something to the environment and poverty. I deeply appreciate your efforts." -- Rex, student, Hong Kong "You should know that I am proud that I have friends like you who are going on such a fulfilling, meaningful and challenging journey." -- Anna, journalist, Hong Kong "I really want to join your journey, but I just don't know if it is possible. I am ready to postpone my degree if I can go... the achievement of my long-term dream and my studies, I choose the former." -- Billy, student, Hong Kong "You're doing a great thing." -- Susan, journalist, Hong Kong "I salute your dedication and devotion for the world and environment." -- Damar, manager, Hong Kong "Most of the teachers think this is a worthwhile project. It helps us teach our kids about things outside the classroom and outside Hong Kong, and it also involves environmental protection which is so important
nowadays. "At the same time it helps us let our kids make use of Information Technology, not only in the classroom but even communicating with people at any spot anywhere in the world. I think that will be a very meaningful task in education. "Most of our kids grew up in a modern city, some of them haven't even seen a live cow. This is a chance for us to open our kids to nature." -- Au Pak Kuen, Vice-president, Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (from Inside Story documentary on Journey to Forever, ATV World, 21 June 1999) "The most effective way of all to teach kids about what life is like in developing countries is to take them there. That of course is only possible for very small numbers. We've done that before and it was quite remarkable, it really was a life-changing experience. "If Journey to Forever can somehow bring to life on the Web and make as real as possible what they are seeing as they go on their journey, then that's the next best thing to kids actually being able to go there and see for themselves." -- John Sayer, Director, Oxfam Hong Kong (from Inside Story documentary on Journey to Forever, ATV World, 21 June 1999)
Community development | Rural development City farms | Organic gardening | Composting | Small farms | Biofuel | Solar box cookers Trees, soil and water | Seeds of the world | Appropriate technology | Project vehicles Home | What people are saying about us | About Handmade Projects Projects | Internet | Schools projects | Sitemap | Site Search | Donations | Contact us Copyright of all original material on this website is the property of Keith Addison, unless otherwise stated, and may be copied and distributed for non-commercial education purposes only as long as the source of the material is stated and a reference to the Journey to Forever website URL is included (http://journeytoforever.org/). All material is provided "as is" without guarantees or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Informacin sobre Handmade Projects y Journey to Forever
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Informacin acerca de Handmade Projects

Introducin

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Buscar
Los miembros del proyecto El equipo Keith Addison y Midori Hiraga fundaron la ONG Handmade Projects en Hong Kong, en 1998, para organizar el proyecto Journey to Forever. Ms tarde se trasladaron a la vieja casa de la playa del pueblo Pui O, en la isla Lantau, para comenzar el trabajo.

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El proyecto fue concebido en 1997 cuando Keith visit Ciudad del Cabo (Sudfrica), el lugar donde naci. "Hace 25 aos abandon Sudfrica por motivos polticos", dice. "Trabaj para la La casa de la playa, donde se prensa negra hasta 1976, el ao plane Journey to Forever. de la Revuelta de Soweto, que fue liderada por estudiantes. Por todo el pas los estudiantes negros se pusieron en huelga y tomaron las calles para protestar por el apartheid. "La respuesta fue inhumana. La polica dispar al menos contra 2.000 estudiantes negros aquel ao. En realidad no me sorprendi, lo vea venir, pero fue terrible de todas maneras. Aquello acab con cualquier esperanza de alcanzar la paz porque no se puede esperar que la gente sea razonable despus de matar a sus hijos en las calles. Por eso abandon el pas para venir a Hong Kong. Desde entonces he pasado la mayor parte de mi tiempo aqu y en Europa. "Ms o menos me olvid de Sudfrica para pensar en el desarrollo de los pases pobres. En realidad no haba mucha diferencia. Los negros
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Pgina principal
Acerca de Handmade Projects
Los miembros del proyecto

Keith Addison Midori Hiraga
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El equipo Sitemap (text only) Proyectos Community development

Rural development
City farms
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Edible cities
Organic gardening
de Sudfrica tenan mucho en comn con la gente de otros pases pobres: pobreza rural, vctimas de un sistema injusto. "Volv all un par de veces por motivos familiares, por perodos cortos, pero no me gustaba y me Keith recolectando patatas en iba lo antes posible. A principios de la casa de la playa. los 90 algo empez a cambiar en Sudfrica. Nelson Mandela fue liberado y muchos de mis amigos volvieron. Yo no entenda cmo eran capaces de volver, con millones de vidas arruinadas y una terrible herencia de brutalidad y opresin... La liberacin de un preso no era suficiente para arreglarlo todo. "En realidad aquella liberacin s produjo cambios. La clase de poder que sale del can de una pistola es intil contra alguien como Nelson Mandela. Fueron los estudiantes quienes empezaron a rebelarse en 1976, pero al final el poder armado del rgimen del apartheid fue Descargando excrementos de derrotado por la enorme fuerza de bfalo del Land Rover, buena voluntad de una sola persona; es materia para hacer compost. una de las mejores cosas que he visto nunca, hace que todo parezca posible. "En 1997 se produjo otra pequea crisis familiar. Aunque no era importante, decid ir para ver cmo estaban todo por all. Me gust lo que encontr, tena un buen presentimiento. An quedan toda clase de problemas, pero ya no matan a la gente en mitad de la calle. Estaba ocurriendo lo que tanto habamos deseado durante aos, haba esperanza otra vez. "Por eso decid regresar. No estoy seguro de que sea un verdadero regreso, y desde luego no es una vuelta a casa. Hace mucho que perd el concepto de hogar, no lo necesito, ni me parece que haya perdido mi hogar. Senta que deba volver a Sudfrica a probar suerte. Conozco esa clase de sentimientos porque son los que me han guiado toda mi vida. Es algo irracional, simplemente tengo que hacerlo. "Despus volv a Hong Kong y me encontr pensando lo siguiente: -todo eso est muy bien, pero qu pasar con mi Land Rover? Me gusta mucho mi Land Rover -- No haba estado circulando ni un ao cuando tuve que aparcarlo por tontos problemas burocrticos, pero no estaba preparado para abandornarlo. He vivido muchas aventuras en Land Rovers, me haca mucha ilusin tener uno. El mo es especial porque es un modelo que no se encuentra fcilmente.
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Compost
La rueda de la vida
Small farms
The way forward
Biocombustibles
Solar box cookers

Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
What to do with a cardboard carton Sisters of silk Silkworms in a shoebox
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School gardens School composting Trees and forests "Comprend cuanto me costara meterlo en un contenedor para enviarlo por mar, mientras que yo ira en avin, entonces pens: -- no, aqu hay algo mal, se supone que l debe llevarme a m&iacuto a l. -"As es como surgi Journey to Forever. Fue idea del Land Rover, no ma, quiere irse de viaje. "Nunca he pretendido que sea un simple viaje del punto A al punto B. He viajado mucho como Keith conduciendo el Land periodista, estoy acostumbrado a Rover Lightweight en la playa ir de un lado a otro. As quiero de Pui O(Dan Groshong). que sea, un largo, largusimo viaje de trabajo, recogiendo historias por el camino, pasando mucho tiempo en cada parada, y el Land Rover me llevar donde yo quiera. "Con un ordenador porttil y una unidad de comunicacin por satlite sera independiente, con acceso a internet desde cualquier sitio. Es lo que siempre he querido hacer. "Empec a darme cuenta de que los Land Rover pueden hacer mucho ms, puesto que fueron creados para el campo, tienen toda clase de accesorios tiles. Tambin es til mi propia experiencia. Soy periodista del Tercer Mundo, pero no slo he escrito sobre proyectos en pases subdesarrollados, he participado en ellos. "De esa manera el viaje se convirti en una especie de proyecto para el desarrollo. Adems de investigar historias para publicarlas, puedo pedir asesoramiento por internet cuando lo necesite. Con todo esto en la cabeza, las oportunidades para la educacin son obvias. Tambin se convirti en un proyecto educativo.
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"-- Bien, ya tenemos un verdadero plan -- 'nosotros', puesto que Midori se haba unido al proyecto para entonces. Pero esa es su historia, no la ma.
Lo que sostiene Midori es un jardincito plantado en una cesta, para los proyectos escolares.
"Por qu Journey to Forever (viaje eterno)? Bien, mira a tu alrededor: la gente se comporta como si pudieran comprarse nuevos planetas por docenas. Los desiertos crecen, los bosques se mueren, el clima est cambiando; hay sequa, desaparecen muchas especies, todo est contaminado, y nunca antes hubo tanta gente tan pobre y tan
poca gente tan rica. "No es lo que queremos, pero la mayora cree que no se puede hacer nada por evitarlo. Algunos ven al ser humano como una especie de super-predador fuera de control, como un cancer planetario, y cuanto antes se destruya a s mismo, mejor. "Eso no es exactamente as, de hecho la mayor&iacut;a de la gente del mundo vive en armona con la naturaleza, como siempre se ha hecho. Todos los estilos de vida tradicionales del planeta mantienen el equilibrio natural desde hace mucho tiempo, si no habran desaparecido. Es difcil recuperar los viejos tiempos, imposible segn muchos. "Por qu? Superpoblacin? Eso es un sntoma de que algo est mal, no la causa. Casi un billn de personas pasa hambre en un mundo donde nunca antes hubo tanto alimento per capita: 1,9 Kg por da y habitante, ms que suficiente para todos. "Cientos de millones de personas no tienen tierra, mientras en algunos de los pases ms hambrientos y superpoblados la mayor parte de la tierra pertenece a lites reducidas que slo aprovechan una pequea parte, dejando el resto del territorio improductivo. "Y las bolsas de pobreza crecen ms deprisa que la poblacin. "El origen de esos problemas es la injusticia, pero es posible luchar contra ella. No tienes que ser Nelson Mandela para hacerlo, todos podemos contribuir de alguna manera. "El cambio est en el ambiente, las herramientas en nuestras Midori arreglando una fuga en el manos. Esperamos que Journey depsito de su Land Rover 109. to Forever d a la gente (a cualquiera que tenga ordenador, especialmente a los nios) la oportunidad de comprobar por ellos mismos que pueden hacer algo por el mundo. "Se llama Journey to Forever (viaje eterno) porque la humanidad tiene futuro, hay un camino, muchos caminos. Las sociedades tradicionales basadas en economas sostenibles se han mantenido miles de aos. Debemos aprender de ellas, como pone claramente en Agenda 21, la declaracin de la cumbre mundial de 1992. "Pero tenemos que hacerlo mejor. Otra caracterstica de nuestros tiempos es que nunca antes habamos tenido tantos conocimientos a nuestro alcance. Podemos mezclar lo antiguo con lo nuevo, siempre
que sea para mejor, con la sociedad y con el medio ambiente, y no slo reestablecer el equilibrio tradicional entre la humanidad y la naturaleza, sino reparar lo que hemos daado. De esa manera la vida se mantendr eternamente."
La casa de la playa, y los vecinos.
Los miembros del proyecto

Keith Addison
Curriculum Vitae
Scribblings
(Selections)
Tai Long Wan

Tales from a vanishing village
Introduction Tea money Back to basics Forbidden fruit A place where nothing happens No sugar Treasure in a bowl of porridge Hong Kong and Southeast Asia
Journalist follows his nose
Nutrient Starved Soils Lead To Nutrient Starved People Cecil Rajendra: A Third World Poet and His Works Leave the farmers alone A timeless art Health hazards dog progress in electronics sector Mo man tai ('No problem') "Write whatever you like" --a weekly column in Hong Kong Life
magazine Swag bag Death of a Toyota Zebra Crossing

on the wrong side of South Africa's racial divide
Kwela Jake Sold into slavery Mamelodi Finding Tom Hark Return of the Big Voice Brother Jake
Midori Hiraga
Curriculum Vitae How I became a Third World journalist
Historias publicadas
Ingls On the 50th anniversary of Hiroshima Japanese use holiday to purge guilt over the past Chinese migrant's battle to obtain degree Filipino arts group shares message of hope and justice Japons Hong Kong's handover 1997 "We are not products" Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong Life as the only Japanese reporter on an English newspaper in Hong Kong
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El equipo
La expedicin estar formada por cinco o seis miembros. En Handmade Projects estamos decididos a que la expedicin llegue a Ciudad del Cabo habiendo cumplido su misin. Nada es indispensable; el equipamiento y los vehculos sern reemplazados en caso de necesidad, y tambin las personas, incluidos los promotores
del viaje, si no pudieran continuar por alguna razn. Todos los miembros del equipo tendrn varias funciones. Debern tener habilidades relacionadas con: comunicaciones, enseanza, idiomas, desarrollo rural/agricultura (especialmente la tradicional), silvicultura, salud/primeros auxilios, habilidades prcticas, conocimientos de mecnica, y cualquier conocimiento til. Los proyectos escolares de Journey to Forever son una parte importante del viaje. Muchas veces aprender es ms importante que ensear.
visitantes
Est previsto que miembros de los proyectos escolares, periodistas y expertos se incorporen a veces a la expedicin, normalmente por periodos cortos, y no ms de dos al mismo tiempo.
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Community development | Rural development City farms | Organic gardening | Compost | Small farms | Biocombustibles | Solar box cookers Trees, soil and water | Seeds of the world | Appropriate technology | Project vehicles Home | What people are saying about us | Acerca de Handmade Projects Projects | Internet | Schools projects | Sitemap | Site Search | Donations | Contact us (in English)
El copyright de toda la informacin original de este sitio web es propiedad de Keith Addison, a no ser que se indique, y solamente puede ser copiada y distribuida con fines educativos no comerciales, si se indica la fuente y se incluye una referencia a la direccin web de Journey to Forever (http://journeytoforever.org/). Toda la informacin se suministra sin garantas de ninguna clase, ni implcitas ni explcitas.
Sitemap of Journey to Forever website

Projects
Community development Poverty and hunger Rural development City farms Resources for city farms Organic gardening Why organic? The case for organics: Scientific studies and reports Building a square foot garden Milly's Bug Juice Plant spacing guides No ground? Use containers Container Farming -- Organic food production in the slums of Mexico City When to sow what Seed sowing and harvesting times for Hong Kong Seeds Garden pond Gardening resources - Square foot gardens - Companion planting - How much to grow? - General gardening - Herbs Composting Making compost Composting resources Composting indoors Vermicomposting Vermicomposting resources
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Humanure Composting for small farms School composting Peat moss Small farms Small farm resources - Back to the land -- a 140-year trend - Small farms - Organics - Soil management - Sustainable farming - General - Food storage and preservation - Useful databases Community-supported farms Farming with trees Farming with animals Pasture Pigs for small farms Poultry for small farms Poultry resources Aquaculture for small farms Composting for small farms Controlling weeds and pests Small Farms Library The Darwin of nutrition -- Weston A. Price Biofuel En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel
Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Biodiesel in Hong Kong - News Stories Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Natural vegetable soap Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Are diesels "old technology"? Diesel motorbikes Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Fixed oils Test papers Making lye from wood ash Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? The best car in the world Diesels in the US Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel The TDI-SVO controversy Straighter-than-straight vegetable oils as diesel fuels Heaters, burners, stoves Ethanol Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energy-efficient? Wood gas -- producer gas Solar box cookers Solar cooker resources on the web Solar box cookers for schools
Trees, soil and water In the news Not in the news References and resources Trees for deserts: Henry Doubleday Research Association Trees and forests -- resources for schools Seeds of the world Appropriate technology Appropriate technology resources - Agriculture resources - Wood resources Blacksmithing Wood fires that fit Cookstove for schools Houses that fit Water-powered water pumps Journey to Forever and AT - Chinese watering cans - Handmade Project Watering can plans - Hoe for victory! - Billhooks and sickles A better rat trap - Rats and owls - Chinese rat trap - How to make a Chinese rat trap - Bucket rat trap Appropriate technology subjects Project vehicles Kings off the road The best car in the world
Internet
Why it really matters
Internet interaction Finding your way in that Big Library in the Sky
Schools projects
Introduction
(Bold-letter links take you to the project introduction on the Schools Projects page)
Biofuels Solar box cookers - Solar box cookers for schools Backpack stove - Backpack stove page - Hobo stove PicoTurbine - PicoTurbine page Low-tech radio - Crystal radio page What to do with a cardboard carton - What to do with a cardboard carton page Sisters of silk - Sisters of silk - Hong Kong's Chinese Amahs Silkworms in a shoebox - Silkworms in a shoebox page - Mulberry trees - Kids' crazes School gardens - School gardens - School gardening resources School composting - School composting Trees and forests - Trees and forests - resources for schools The Beach House fish pond - Fish pond - Quack grass
HOMeR - Handmade Organic Mosquito Repellent (HOMeR) Eco-footprint - How heavily do you tread upon the world? Schools programs on the Web Schools resources on the Web Children's poetry
News
FYI - News that's not in the news FYI - News that's not in the news: previous articles
About Handmade Projects and Journey to Forever

Homepage of Journey to Forever website (English) Japanese homepage Chinese homepage En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel What people are saying about us About Handmade Projects Advanced search on Journey to Forever website
Project members Keith Addison

Curriculum Vitae Tai Long Wan - Tales from a vanishing village Introduction Tea money Back to basics Forbidden fruit
A place where nothing happens No sugar Treasure in a bowl of porridge Hong Kong and Southeast Asia - Journalist follows his nose Nutrient Starved Soils Lead To Nutrient Starved People - Bio-intensive gardening cuts malnutrition in the Philippines Cecil Rajendra: A Third World Poet and His Works Leave the farmers alone A timeless art Health hazards dog progress in electronics sector Death of a Toyota Zebra Crossing - On the wrong side of South Africa's racial divide Kwela Jake Sold into slavery Mamelodi Finding Tom Hark Return of the Big Voice Brother Jake Mo man tai ('No problem') "Write whatever you like" - a weekly column in Hong Kong Life magazine
Midori Hiraga
Curriculum Vitae How I became a Third World journalist Published stories: English On the 50th anniversary of Hiroshima Japanese use holiday to purge guilt over the past Chinese migrant's battle to obtain degree Filipino arts group shares message of hope and justice
Published stories: Japanese Hong Kong's handover 1997 "We are not products" Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong Life as the only Japanese reporter on an English newspaper in Hong Kong
The team Contact us

To Keith Addison: keith@journeytoforever.org To Midori Hiraga: midori@journeytoforever.org Homepage: http://journeytoforever.org/ Handmade Projects Tamba Japan
Community development: Journey to Forever
"Change not Charity!" say Journey to Forever's friends at Oxfam Hong Kong. Their clear and simple briefings on development get straight to the heart of the matter. We've summarized some of them here. Oxfam Hong Kong http://www.oxfam.org.hk Poverty Alleviation -- Solutions Change not Charity -- Charity and welfare can create dependency. We believe in helping people to help themselves. If aid or development were simply a welfare exercise of handing over money, then the poor could become more dependent on outside help, less able to help themselves, and ultimately less equipped to solve their own problems. We aim to support the efforts of people in finding their own solutions to poverty, rather than imposing solutions. When communities work together to improve their own lives, the result is a permanent strengthening of the community and renewed hope for the future. For this reason, we promote the principles of Participation, Empowerment and Sustainability. Participation We help those who are striving to help themselves. All our projects try to involve the beneficiaries at each stage of the project. Participation means that the poor people themselves are involved in identifying the problems they face, determining ways to overcome them, designing realistic plans to achieve these goals, and carrying them out. Solutions devised and fulfilled by the people in need are far more likely to prove successful than those imposed from outside. Empowerment From participation grows empowerment. People who truly participate in their own development are permanently strengthened. As well as better incomes or more crops, projects
A child dies every 3 seconds from hunger related causes -- Oxfam HK
Site Search
Home What people are saying about us About Handmade Projects Sitemap (text only) Projects
Change not Charity Rural Reconstruction Credo
Poverty and hunger

The causes of poverty The myth of scarcity
Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
http://journeytoforever.org/community.html (1 de 4)04/12/2006 11:36:50 a.m.
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
Fuel for the future
help to improve the skills and the experience of those involved. The project should also help build up more self-confidence and hope in the participants -- confidence that they can make a difference and that they can improve their lives. If projects can give poor people confidence, hope, dignity and strength, they will strengthen people more than any short-term financial help could ever do. Sustainability Participation and empowerment seek to ensure that projects bring lasting change which will strengthen people's ability to fend for themselves and improve their lives long after the project has ended and the overseas money has stopped. Therefore, another key principle is sustainability -- a long-term approach that seeks to understand and respect local conditions. We support projects which draw on the vibrant cultural traditions of the people with whom we work, projects which give a voice to all members of the community, and projects which ensure that the natural resources and the environment of the people are protected and sustained. The Questions: Eight questions that will tell if a community will truly benefit from a development project.
Solar box cookers


Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses
Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers Backpack stove PicoTurbine Low-tech radio What to do with a cardboard carton Sisters of silk Silkworms in a shoebox School gardens School composting Trees and forests The Beach House fish pond
Rural Reconstruction
This is the Credo of Rural Reconstruction, developed by Dr. Y. C. James Yen: Go to the people Live among them Learn from them Plan with them Work with them Start with what they know Build on what they have Teach by showing Learn by doing Not a showcase But a pattern Not odds and ends but a system Not to conform but to transform Not relief but release. It's also the credo of the International Institute of Rural
HOMeR Eco-footprint School and youth programs on the Web Education resources on the Web Children's poetry Contact us
Reconstruction (IIRR), a non-profit NGO devoted to improving the quality of life of the rural poor in the developing countries. IIRR was founded in 1960, growing out of the revolutionary grass-roots development movement founded by Dr. Yen in China in the 1920s. Beginning with a series of massive, highly successful literacy campaigns for peasants, Dr. Yen and his colleagues evolved an integrated, sustainable, people-centred development approach that came to be known as rural reconstruction. "IIRR's strategy recognizes that the poor face multiple problems: lack of education, inadequate income opportunities, ill health, a degraded environment, political oppression. IIRR uses bottomup, participatory, integrated strategies to address this interlocking nature of rural poverty." http://www.panasia.org.sg/iirr/info.htm IIRR Website: http://www.iirr.org/
Credo
These are the principles that guide Journey to Forever:
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that the spirit of cooperation is the foundation of real growth that resources are better shared that all life is interdependent that the "law of the jungle" is symbiosis, not savagery that good fellowship is the human norm, not greed and narrow self-interest that conflict can be resolved that self-reliance at the community level strengthens the whole of society that poverty is WRONG, and can be reversed that there is enough for everybody except the greedy that waste is wasteful that the best things in life are not things that this must be the guiding spirit of the new millennium that we are not a minority in holding to these principles
See Poverty and hunger -- The causes of poverty, The myth of scarcity
Rural development: Journey to Forever
Rural development
If it's not broken, don't fix it Journey to Forever covers an interesting range of technologies. We'll be using the latest high-tech communications equipment, powerful computers, digital cameras and high-speed satellite communications units that come in chic little magic boxes stuffed to the brim with microscopic wizardry. Yet they're tough and rugged, very well built, which is just as well because if they broke we sure wouldn't know how to fix them. For the rest of the project, that's a prime consideration: can you fix it yourself? Better still: can you make it yourself? Important questions for us when we'll be spending so much time far from anywhere, and even more so for the villages we work in when our main aim is to help increase local self-reliance wherever possible, and decrease dependence on outside resources. So we tend towards low-tech solutions. Small is beautiful. The project vehicles will be as low-tech as possible -- there won't be million-dollar workshops full of electronic equipment in most of the places we'll be visiting. The vehicles must be tough, capable, built to last, and fixable. The core of the project is even lower-tech -- the ancient traditional farming methods still used by villagers in many remote areas. These old farming systems are also tough, very capable and built to last, and they've withstood the test of time -- some, like China's, have fed growing populations for thousands of years without ruining either the soil or the environment, by following Nature's ways and obeying her rules. Such farming systems can be highly productive, and they're sustainable -- they can last forever. According to Agenda 21, the action plan agreed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and many other authorities, these traditional methods and skills are a vital element in the environmental management of the future. But the old ways are everywhere under threat by the modern world -- much accumulated wisdom and many skills are already lost.
Site Search
Rural development
City farms
Edible cities
Organic gardening
Composting
The Wheel of Life
Small farms
The way forward
Biofuels
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Fuel for the future
Solar box cookers

Agenda 21 calls on governments to "foster traditional methods and knowledge of indigenous people and their communities" (Agenda 21, Section II, Chapter 15). Related documents state: "Sustainable agriculture respects the ecological principles of diversity and interdependence and uses the insights of modern science to improve rather than displace the traditional wisdom accumulated over centuries by innumerable farmers around the world." Other resolutions are to "recognize the value and encourage the use of traditional sustainable knowledge; encourage local capacity to develop appropriate technology adapted to local skills, needs and environment". Agenda 21: http://www.igc.apc.org/habitat/agenda21/ We don't aim to "modernize" old methods, merely to help strengthen them where needed, and whether by modern means or old, or a happy combination of both, along with old techniques borrowed from other traditional systems elsewhere, or new ones developed by appropriate technology groups, depends on what works best and what fits well, with the community and with the environment. Local people will be involved at all stages -- they're the ones to decide what's good for them. (See Community development.)

Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Project vehicles
The workhorses

The local context is all-important in environment and development work. Basically it is ecological work, and the one and only Law of Ecology applies: everything is connected to everything else. This is why ready-made, pre-conceived, across-the-board solutions designed somewhere else so seldom work well. They take little account of all the interconnections, which are always different in each new context, and the resulting rash of unforeseen side-effects soon add up to worse problems than the one they set out to solve in the first place. We'll have some powerful tools with us -- things like power saws driven by our vehicle motors can do a week's work in half a day.

But should we use them? In the wrong context, they could be extremely disruptive, even destructive. We'll also have hand saws, ancient tools like hoes, sickles, scythes -- and even the high efficiency of a scythe can be disruptive. Learning the local context takes time -- time we won't have. We're planning to make dozens of stops along the route, stopping for a month or so at a time to work on small-scale rural development projects. But, to avoid the context trap, we'll always be working for local NGOs on their projects. We'll rely on the NGOs for their vital local knowledge. It will be pre-arranged: they'll already know what they want us to do for them and we'll come prepared. We'll also have access to sound advice and information on a case-by-case basis from online collaborators worldwide, via the Internet and our mobile satellite link. Where practical, we'll always prefer low-tech solutions that rely on local skills and local resources, cutting down on imported inputs and keeping innovations to a necessary minimum. Much of our work will be less sensitive, such as general repairs and maintenance to tools, walls and fences, paths, drains and ditches, livestock pens, housing, food storage. The repairman's always welcome! Especially if it's free. We hope to gather long-term support for the NGOs we work with through media and other exposure as we record the journey and our projects (the team includes professional journalists). We'll link them with each other and put them in touch with international resources, and we'll maintain our links with them after we leave. These are the areas we'll be focusing on:
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Waste recycling Soil management and erosion control Fertility improvement Pest and weed management Yield and crop-quality improvement Livestock management Water conservation Crop-livestock integration Tree farming -- people's forestry Energy Micro-credit schemes/women's issues

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Our route between stops will be more flexible, with many shorter stops and detours for investigation and reporting as we continue our environmental health check of the land and its people. We'll also foster community-based projects in market towns and urban centres along the route, such as community gardens and urban farms, waste recycling and biofuels projects, establishing ongoing information-sharing networks between different centres. This will include both local schools and our schools network.
References
China's farming system: See the classic "Farmers of Forty Centuries, or Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea and Japan", by Prof. F.H. King, Chief of the Soil Management Division, US Department of Agriculture, Jonathan Cape, London, 1926, reissued in 1990. King was a brilliant agricultural researcher and the record of his journey through China, Japan and Korea a hundred years ago makes fascinating reading, both for its agricultural history and as a travelogue. Recently republished in hardback by the Rodale Institute: http://rodaleinstitute.org/bookstore/products/farm_books/main. html Full text online at the Soil and Health Library: http://www.soilandhealth.org/ City farms: "Because of the pivotal role of women as food producers, investing in women farmers in cities is more likely to improve the nutrition and health of their families than investing in male farmers. Urban agriculture in the hands of women is a powerful tool to uplift women's social position as well as to improve their families' diets, incomes and food security" -- "City Women Farm for Food and Cash", International Ag-Sieve, Volume VI, No 2, 1993, Rodale Institute. Back issues are available for US$3 per issue, $1 each for more than six issues, the whole set of 36 issues for $35. Now published in book form, includes articles on green manure, agro-forestry, irrigation, biological pest control, erosion and more -- 26 assorted articles, from 1989 to 1995. From Rodale Institute Bookstore: http://rodaleinstitute.org/bookstore/products/farm_books/9.html "Leave the farmers alone" -- a review of
"Indigenous Agricultural Revolution -Ecology and Food Production in West Africa", by agricultural researcher Paul Richards (1985). Richards delivers a damning critique of agricultural scientists' research in developing countries as out of touch with the needs of the majority of farmers. He says the capabilities of the peasants themselves have been grossly underrated, showing them to be ecologically aware, with sound reasons behind most of their techniques, and much given to experiment and innovation. Richards details several cases where scientific studies have "reinvented" techniques already widespread among peasants. A thoughtful, practical and thorough approach to how development should be tackled if projects are not only to "work" but to provide satisfactory answers to the questions "who benefits?" and "at whose expense?". "Farmer First: Farmer innovation and agricultural research" edited by Robert Chambers, Arnold Pacey and Lori Ann Thrupp, 1989, 1998, Intermediate Technology, ISBN 1853390070 This book argues that farmers in resource-poor areas are innovators and adaptors, and that agricultural research must take the farmers' own agendas and priorities into account. Robert Chambers is one of the champions of indigenous agricultural development and the people-oriented approach. The "Farmer First" movement was at first dismissed by mainstream development workers as "naive populism", but most of them have since had to change their tune about that. From IT Publications: http://www.developmentbookshop.com/ book.phtml?isbn=1853390070 "Two Ears of Corn: A Guide to PeopleCentered Agricultural Improvement", by Roland Bunch, 1982, 3rd edition 1997 Bunch makes a similar point to that of Paul Richards (above). He worked with World Neighbors, a small private voluntary agency cooperating with a wide variety of local, national, and international organizations to improve the productivity of small farmers. A combination of widely varying experience and in-depth feedback helped World Neighbors select and refine a set of techniques that greatly increased the impact of many of its
programs: People-Centered Agricultural Improvement, the subject of this book. Now in its third edition, with its techniques taken up and being used all over the world. From ECHO's Global Bookstore: http://echonet.org/shopsite_sc/store/html/TwoEarsCorn.html "Recording and Using Indigenous Knowledge: A manual", International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), 1996, ISBN 0-942717-70-8 Rural people have an intimate knowledge of many aspects of their surroundings and their daily lives. Over centuries, people have learned how to grow food and to survive in a sometimes difficult environment. They know what varieties of crops to plant, when to sow and weed, which plants are poisonous and which can be used for medicine, how to cure diseases and how to maintain their environment in a state of equilibrium. This "indigenous knowledge" -- "IK" for short -- is a valuable resource for development: it can be equal to or superior to the scientific know-how introduced by outsiders. This manual provides rural development workers with the information and tools they need to integrate IK into their development work. It focuses on IK in People-Centered Agricultural Development. Full text online: http://www.panasia.org.sg/iirr/ikmanual/ "Indigenous practises are sometimes not very spectacular. Despite their effectiveness, they can easily be overlooked. "For example, a traditional irrigation system consisting of mud canals and bamboo pipes looks less impressive than an introduced system of neat, straight, and cemented canals. Nevertheless the local system can effectively distribute water to the fields. In the long run, it might even conserve water better than the cement canals. Research in Nepal has shown that farmermanaged irrigation systems based on indigenous knowledge resulted in higher agricultural productivity than systems built and managed by government agencies. "IK is often overlooked because it seems 'messy' and so is not obvious to outsiders. For example, people in some places do not weed their plots in order to reduce soil erosion. An outsider might get the wrong idea and assume nobody is tending the fields." -- From "Recording and Using Indigenous Knowledge", IIRR The Village Earth Model for Sustainable Village-Based Development: Poverty is a crushing weight for most of the rural
poor as they search in vain for opportunities that continually elude their grasp. They live out their lives isolated from the resources which the rest of society enjoys. The Village Earth Model is designed to address global poverty. It is based on a synthesis of the best development practices pioneered and tested over the past 50 years. The model is founded on the premise that lack of access to resources is the primary obstacle to building a better life, and that poverty is the symptom rather than cause of the problem. It holds that villagers already possess the seeds of their own development. Unlike traditional methods, it employs a bottom-up approach to development. It listens rather than dictates. It provides access to resources rather than aid. Pilot projects are underway in India and Indonesia. http://www.villageearth.org/About/about_ve.htm The Indigenous Knowledge Homepage hosted by the Centre for International Research and Advisory Networks (CIRAN) promotes the exchange of information within the International IK Network: http://www.nuffic.nl/ik-pages/index.html The Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor (IKDM) focuses on the role of indigenous knowledge in participatory sustainable development: http://www.nuffic.nl/ciran/ikdm/index.html The Center for Indigenous Knowledge For Agriculture and Rural Development (CIKARD) focuses on preserving and using the local knowledge of farmers and rural people around the globe: http://www.iastate.edu/~anthr_info/cikard/
City farms: Journey to Forever - edible cities, urban agriculture, communi...hting hunger and poverty, food production, waste recycling, sustainability
City farms
-- "The key to the future of the world lies in gardening. One individual with a digging fork and a small garden can make a difference" -- from the Foreword, "Gardening For The Future Of The Earth", Seeds of Change, 2000 That might sound very idealistic, and indeed it is, but consider these facts: City farming is spreading fast -- city farms contributed 15% to world food production in 1993 and it's expected to grow to 33% by 2005. Some 800 million people worldwide were involved in urban agriculture in 1996, according to the UNDP, growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as raising livestock. More than half of the poor people in developing countries now live in urban areas, up from about a third in 1988 -- only 12 years ago -- and still increasing. Poor people in cities farm scraps of ground wherever they can grow something to provide some food and make some money -and they save money they would have spent on food. City farming makes a hefty contribution to the fight against poverty and hunger.
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Urban farming in Haiti -AGUILA Urban Agriculture Research Network Latin America http://www.idrc.ca/cfp/aguila. html
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It also makes a hefty contribution to environmental and public health. Every year 5.2 million people, including four million children, mostly in cities, die from diseases caused by unhygienic sewage and waste disposal, and urban waste production is growing even faster than urban populations: by the year 2025, urban waste production will have quadrupled. City farmers play a major role in waste recycling, creating a closed system in which organic wastes -- from food, manufacturing and sewage --
Organic gardening Composting Small farms Small farms library
City farming in Peru (AGUILA)
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are reused instead of festering in dumps and polluting waterways. Human waste is turned into compost, domestic wastewater safely irrigates many crops, and aquaculture stabilizes animal manure. In Mexico City many families keep pigs -- urban pig farmers recycle up to 4,000 tons of the city's food wastes every day. And city farming empowers women, which benefits everyone. Women in a vegetable-growing cooperative in Bogota, Colombia, earn three times more than their husbands do.

Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
What works and fits
Expansion
Cities cover only 2% of the Earth's surface, but consume 75% of its resources. Cities are black holes, they're swallowing our planet. But, more and more, they're turning green. Jac Smit, President of the Urban Agriculture Network and coauthor of "Urban Agriculture: Food, Jobs, and Sustainable Cities", paints a vision of what the world would be like if cities were nutritionally self-reliant: "As we consider a dominantly urban Earth early in the next century, in a world with less land and water percapita, the return of agriculture to where we live presents us with a new paradigm. "What if 'waste is food' and sewage and garbage were prime inputs to food production? What if the urban landscape were edible? What if vacant, waste land in cities were productive and enhancing the environment for living? What if urban areas were increasing Urban farming in Haiti (AGUILA) biodiversity rather than diminishing it?" It's happening. Growing your own food in cities has long been the way in Asia, and it's expanding enormously in Africa, Latin America, and all over the world. All over the world urban food production is growing more rapidly than urban population -- in spite of urban drift. In greater Bangkok, 60% of the land is under cultivation, 72% of all urban families are engaged in raising food, mostly part-time. In Moscow, the share of families raising food more than tripled
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between 1972 and 1992, from 20% to 65%. In Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania the number of households engaged in food production grew from 20% to more than 65% between 1970 and 1990. In Argentina the number of participants in the community agriculture program grew from 50,000 to 550,000 between 1990 and 1994, and the number of supporting institutions grew from 100 to 1,100.
Urban farming in Haiti (AGUILA)
The area devoted to urban
agriculture in Harare in Zimbabwe doubled between 1990 and 1994. It's a true grassroots initiative of "helpless" people helping themselves. Yet they do need help, as much help as they can get -help in learning the best and safest ways of recycling wastes and the best growing methods, and help in persuading governments and local authorities to support their efforts rather than neglecting them, or even harassing them for occupying public land or land legally zoned for urban use, not agriculture.
Industrialised nations
City farming is growing just as rapidly in the rich cities of the West, perhaps more because of environmental concerns, but also to feed the hungry: the Urban Agriculture Network was "founded in response to the increase of persistent hunger in urban areas in both poor countries and rich countries". The city farming movement has been Visitors take part in horticulture intensely studied in the 20 therapy at City Farmer's community years or so that it has garden burgeoned in the Western cities, and it has been found to deliver a rich harvest of benefits -benefits that social workers, community organizations, educators, psychologists, health workers, nutritionists and crime fighters can
only dream of where there are no city farms or community gardens. -- "Ideally we believe that simply by changing from suit to jeans, digging up a bit of lawn, and planting vegetable seeds, the city person will begin asking questions about his environment and about his urban behavior and thinking patterns" -- founding directors of City Farmer, addressing science teachers at the 20th International Science Education Symposium in 1979 By 1994, 300,000 households in the US were using a community garden, and 6.7 million more said they'd do so too if there was one nearby (National Gardening Association). The US government's Urban Gardening program estimates that a $1 investment in food growing projects yields $6 of produce. Gardening for dollars, Americans go green, Reuters, Washington, May 9, 2002 -- Home gardening is huge. Chalk it up to aging boomers, post-Sept. 11 nesting, or just demand for really fresh cilantro and tomatoes; Americans will spend some $28-billion on their food and flower gardens this year, according to the National Gardening Association. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/15878/story. htm Vermiculture Improves Urban Farming in Argentina -Impoverished citizens of Rosario, Argentinas third largest city, are stepping up efforts to farm in urban neighbourhoods -- by using California red worms. Vermiculture (a method of composting fruit and vegetable waste using earthworms) is proving to be an inexpensive and easy way to create high-quality organic fertilizer. It is also helping improve the local environment. http://www.idrc.ca/reports/read_article_english.cfm? article_num=1087 See Vermicomposting -- "1,631,694 files transmitted from our website for all of 1999, up 43% over 1998" -City Farmer, Canada's Office
of Urban Agriculture, January 2000 Journey to Forever will promote city farming and community gardening initiatives in all the urban centres we visit along our route. See our Organic gardening, Container gardening and Composting pages.
Everybody benefits, but some of the main beneficiaries are the children. Community garden in Brazilia (City Farmer)
Resources
Resources for city farms
City farms Organic gardening

Building a square foot garden Plant spacing guides No ground? Use containers When to sow what Seeds Garden pond Gardening resources
Composting
Making compost Composting resources Composting indoors Vermicomposting Humanure Composting for small farms
Small farms
Small farm resources Community-supported farms Farming with trees Farming with animals
Pasture Pigs for small farms Poultry for small farms Aquaculture for small farms Composting for small farms Controlling weeds and pests
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Vegetable oil yields, characteristics 2: Journey to Forever
Oil yields and characteristics

Back to Page 1 Quality standard for rapeseed oil fuel Cetane Numbers National standards for biodiesel -- standards and the homebrewer -- standard testing Fuel properties of fats and oils Fuel properties of esters Fats and oils -- resources
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Quality Standard for Rapeseed Oil

Quality Standard for Rapeseed Oil as a Fuel (RKQualittsstandard) Limiting Value Properties / Unit Testing Method Contents min. max. Characteristic properties for Rapeseed 0il Density (15C) Flash Point by P.-M. Calorific Value Kinematic Viscosity (40C) Low Temperature Behaviour Cetane Number Carbon Residue Iodine Number Sulphur Content Contamination Acid Value Oxidation Stability (110C) Phosphorus Content Ash Content Water Content kg/m3 C kJ/kg mm2/S 900 220 35000 930 38 DIN EN ISO 3675 DIN EN ISO 12185 DIN EN 22719 DIN 51900-3 DIN EN ISO 3104
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Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle Food or fuel? Straight vegetable oil as diesel fuel Heaters, burners, stoves
--
Mass-% g/100 g mg/kg mg/kg mg KOH/g h mg/kg Mass-% Mass-%
100 5.0 -
Rotational Viscometer (testing conditions will be developed) Testing method will be reviewed 0.40 DIN EN ISO 10370 120 DIN 53241-1 20 ASTM D5453-93 25 2.0 15 DIN EN 12662 DIN EN ISO 660 IS0 6886 ASTM D3231-99
Variable properties
0.01 DIN EN ISO 6245 0.075 pr EN ISO 12937
Abteilung Technologie nachwachsender Rohstoffe Arbeitsgruppe Pflanzenle Department of Technology, regenerating raw materials Working Group On Vegetable Oils Dr. Bernhard Widmann LTV-Work-Session on Decentral Vegetable Oil Production, Weihenstephan http://dec2.tec.agrar.tu-muenchen.de/pflanzoel/rkstandard_e.html See also: Vegetable oil standard: comments by Elsbett Technology
Ethanol
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Ethanol resources on the Web Is ethanol energyefficient?

--
Comparison of properties of diesel, canola oil and commercial US biodiesel . Diesel Canola Oil Density kgL-1 @ 15.5 deg C Calorific value MJL-1 Viscosity C mm2s-1 @ 20 deg 0.84 38.3 4-5 4-5 45 0.92 36.9 70 37 10 40-50
Biodiesel 0.88 33-40 4-6 4-6 45-65
Viscosity mm2s-1 @ 40 deg C Viscosity mm2s-1 @ 70 deg C Cetane number
From "Waste Vegetable Oil as a Diesel Replacement Fuel" by Phillip Calais, Environmental Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, and A.R. (Tony) Clark, Western Australian Renewable Fuels Association Inc. http://www.shortcircuit.com.au/warfa/paper/paper.htm 1. Sims, R. Yields, Costs and Availability of Natural Oils/Fats as Diesel Fuel Substitutes, Report No LF2021 for the Liquid Fuels Trust Board, Wellington (NZ) 1982 2. Environment Australia (National Heritage Trust) (2000b). Setting National Fuel Quality Standards Paper 2 - Proposed Standards for Fuel Parameters (Petrol and Diesel), Canberra 3. Beer, T., Grant, T., Brown, R., Edwards, J., Nelson, P., Watson, H., Williams, D. (2000) Life-Cycle Emission Analysis of Alternative Fuels for Heavy Vehicles. CSIRO, Australia
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Cetane numbers
Cetane numbers rate the ignition properties of diesel fuels, just as octane numbers determine the quality and value of gasoline (petrol). It's a measure of a fuel's willingness to ignite when it's compressed. The higher the cetane number, the more efficient the fuel. Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than petrodiesel because of its oxygen content. From the Lubrizol Corporation: http://www.lubrizol.com/DieselEngines/default.asp Ignition Quality or Cetane Number -- This factor influences ease of starting, duration of white smoking after start-up, drivability before warm-up and intensity of diesel knock at idle. Studies have correlated ignition quality with all regulated emissions. As ignition delay is reduced, the combustion process starts earlier and emissions (primarily carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons) are reduced. Ignition delay is measured by the Cetane Number (CN) test (ASTM D 613), which uses a single-cylinder, variable compression ratio engine analogous to the Octane Number engine. In this case, the ignition delay of the test fuel is measured at a fixed compression ratio. This result is compared with the results from standard reference fuels consisting of blends of n-cetane and heptamethylnonane. Diesel engines vary widely in their cetane requirements, and there is no commonly recognized way to measure this value. In general, the lower an engine's operating speed, the lower the CN of the fuel it can use. Large marine engines can tolerate fuels with CNs as low as 20, while some manufacturers of high-speed passenger car diesel engines specify 55 CN fuel.
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Seeds of the world

No seeds, no food
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Internet Why it really matters Internet interaction Finding your way Schools projects Introduction Biofuels Solar box cookers Backpack stove PicoTurbine Low-tech radio What to do with a cardboard carton Sisters of silk
National standards for biodiesel

Comparison of different national standards for biodiesel Standard / Specification Date Europe Austria EN 14214 2003 Czech France Germany Italy Sweden Republic USA Australia
ON CSN 65 Journal DIN V C1191 6507 Officiel 51606 July 1997 Sep 1998 Sep 1997
Fuel Standard UNI SS ASTM D(Biodiesel) 10635 155436 6751 Determination April Nov Jan Sep 1997 Sept 2003 1997 1996 2002
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Application Density 15C g/cm Viscos. 40C mm2/s Distillat. 95% C Flashpoint C
FAME 0.86 0.90
FAME 0.85 0.89
RME 0.87 0.89 3.5-5.0 >110 -5 -
VOME FAME 0.87 - 0.875 0.90 0.90 3.5-5.0 <360 >100 <-10 3.5-5.0 >110 0/-10/-20 -
VOME VOME FAMAE 0.86 - 0.87 860 to 890 kg/ 0.90 0.90 m3 3.5-5.0 3.5-5.0 <360 >100 <0/ <-15 >100 -5 1.9-6.0 90% @ 360C >130 (150 av.) 3.5-5.0 <360 >120 50 mg/kg (max) 10 mg/kg (max) (from 1 Feb 2006) <0.02 -
3.5-5.0 3.5-5.0 >120 >100 0/-15 -
CFPP C *country (cold filter specific plugging point) Pour point C -
Sulfur % mass CCR 100% % mass 10% dist. resid. % mass Sulfated ash % mass (Oxid) Ash % mass Water mg/kg Total contam. mg/kg
<10 mg/ <0.02 kg
<0.02
<0.01
<0.01 <0.001
<0.05
<0.3 <0.02 -
<0.05 <0.02 -
<0.05 <0.02 -
<0.3 -
<0.05 <0.03 -
<0.5 <0.01
<0.01
<0.02 -
<500
<500
<200
<300
<700
<300
<0.05% <0.05% vol vol. (water & (water & sediment) sediment) <24 <10 mg/kg sulfur Class 1 (max) >10 mg/kg sulfur No. 3 (max) 6 hours min >51 <0.8 <0.2 >96.5 <0.02 <0.25
<24
<24
<20
<20
Cu-Corros. 3h/50C
<No.3
Oxidation 6 hours stability min hrs;110C Cetane No. >51 Neutral. No. (Acid value) <0.5 mgKOH/g Methanol <0.20 % mass Ester content >96.5 % mass Monoglyceride. <0.8 % mass Diglyceride <0.2 % mass Triglyceride <0.2 % mass Free glycerol <0.02 % mass Total glycerol <0.25 % mass
>49 <0.8 <0.20 <0.02 <0.24
>48 <0.5 <0.02 <0.24
>49 <0.5 <0.1 >96.5 <0.8 <0.2 <0.2 <0.02 <0.25
>49 <0.5 <0.3 <0.8 <0.4 <0.4 <0.02 <0.25
<0.5 <0.2 >98 <0.8 <0.2 <0.1 <0.05 -
>48 <0.6 <0.2 >98 <0.8 <0.1 <0.1 <0.02 -
>47 <0.8 <0.02 <0.24
Iodine No. Linolenic acid ME %mass C18:3 and high. unsat. acids % mass C(x:4) & greater unsaturated esters % mass Phosphor mg/kg Ramsbottom carbon residue, % mass
<120 <12
<120 -
<115 -
<115 -
<125 -
<15
<1
<0.001% mass 0.10
<10 -
<20 -
<20 -
<10 -
<10 -
<10 -
<10 -
<10 -
Carbon residue
<0.30% mass (10% distillation <0.050% residue) by mass <0.050% mass (100% distillation sample) <5 <5 -
Gp I metals (Na,K) mg/kg Gp II metals (Ca,Mg) mg/kg Alkalinity mg/ kg
<5 <5 -
<10
<5
<5
<10
RME: Rapeseed oil methyl ester FAME: Fatty acid methyl ester VOME: Vegetable oil methyl ester FAMAE: Fatty acid mono alkyl ester US standard -- D6751-02 Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels. Download from the ASTM site, costs $30 (pdf): http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/STORE/ filtrexx40.cgi?U+mystore+mofc8213+-L+D6751+/usr6/ htdocs/astm.org/DATABASE.CART/PAGES/D6751.htm EU standard -- DIN EN 14214, Publication date:2003-11 Automotive fuels - Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for diesel engines - Requirements and test methods. Order from Beuth Verlag GmbH ("search" for "EN 14214") http://www.beuth.de/index_en.php CEN Diesel Fuel Specification (EN 590:1993): http://journeytoforever.org/energiaweb/en590en.htm Australian standard: http://www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/biodiesel/index.html Standards and the homebrewer: "Most of the standards can be met simply by preparing and washing the fuel well," says Todd Swearingen of Appal Energy. Standard testing: Biodiesel fuel testing for the US ASTM D-6751 standard: Analytical Testing Services, Inc. http://wetestit.com/ Harris Testing Laboratories, Inc.
http://www.harristestinglab.com/quote/d6751.htm
Fuel properties of fats and oils

Fuel-related properties and iodine values of various fats and oils CP PP FP HG Viscosity Iodine (deg (deg (deg Oil or Fat CN (kJ/kg) (mm 2/s) Value C) C) C) Babassu 10-18 38 Castor 82-88 ? 39500 297 (38 C) - -31.7 260 Coconut 6-12 34.9 (38 Corn 103-140 37.6 39500 -1.1 -40.0 277 C) 33.5 (38 Cottonseed 90-119 41.8 39468 1.7 -15.0 234 C) 53.6 (38 Crambe 93 44.6 40482 10.0 -12.2 274 C) 27.2 (38 1.7 -15.0 241 Linseed 168-204 34.6 39307 C) Olive 75-94 Palm 35-61 42 39.6 (38 Peanut 80-106 41.8 39782 12.8 -6.7 271 C) 37.0 (38 Rapeseed 94-120 37.6 39709 -3.9 -31.7 246 C) 31.3 (38 Safflower 126-152 41.3 39519 18.3 -6.7 260 C) High-oleic 41.2 (38 90-100 49.1 39516 -12.2 -20.6 293 safflower C) 35.5 (38 Sesame 104-120 40.2 39349 -3.9 -9.4 260 C) 32.6 (38 Soybean 117-143 37.9 39623 -3.9 -12.2 254 C) 37.1 (38 Sunflower 110-143 37.1 39575 7.2 -15.0 274 C) 51.15 (40 - 40054 Tallow 35-48 201 C) No. 2 DF 47 45343 2.7 (38 C) -15.0 -33.0 52 CN = cetane number; CP = cloud point, PP = pour point, FP = flash point. Iodine values combined from Applewhite, T.H., in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology; Third Ed.; John-Wiley & Sons: New York, NY, 1980, Vol. 9; pp. 795-811; and Gunstone, F.D.; Harwood, J. L.; Padley, F.B. Lipid Handbook; Second Ed.; Chapman & Hall: London, 1994. Fuel properties from Goering, C.E.; Schwab, A.W.; Daugherty, M.J.; Pryde, E.H.; Heakin, A.J. Trans. ASAE 1982, 25, 1472-1477 & 1483. All tallow values from Ali, Y.; Hanna, M.A.; Cuppett, S.L. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 1995, 72, 1557-1564 (no CN given, calcd. cetane index 40.15). (From: Biodiesel: The Use of Vegetable Oils and Their Derivatives as Alternative Diesel Fuels, G. Knothe, R.O. Dunn, and M.O. Bagby, in Fuels and Chemicals from Biomass, Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society. Download full-text article: Acrobat file, 912kb MS Word file, 212kb
Fuel properties of esters

Fuel-related physical properties of esters of oils and fats
Ester
CN
HG (kJ/kg)
Viscosity (mm2/s) Methyl
CP (deg C) -2 2 0 12
PP (deg C) -4 -9 -6 -1 -4 9
FP 1 (deg C) 110 84 180 171 96
Cottonseed Rapeseed Safflower Soybean Tallow 7

5 3 4
51.2
6.8 (21deg ) -
54.4 40449 6.7 (40deg ) 49.8 40060 46.2 39800 4.08 (40deg ) 39949 4.11 (40deg ) Ethyl 4.5 (37.8deg ) -
Sunflower 6 46.6 39800 4.22 (40deg )
Palm 8 Soybean 5 Tallow 9
56.2 39070
8 1 15
6 -4 12
19 174 -
48.2 40000 4.41 (40deg ) -
CN = cetane number; CP = cloud point, PP = pour point, FP = flash point. 1. Some flash points are very low. These may be typographical errors in the references or the materials may have contained residual alcohols. 2. Geyer, S.M.; Jacobus, M.J.; Lestz, S.S. Trans. ASAE 1984, 27, 375-381. 3. Peterson, C.L.; Korus, R.A; Mora, P.G.; Madsen, J.P. Trans. ASAE, 1987, 30, 28-35. 4. Isiigr, A.; Karaosmanolu, F.; Aksoy, H.A.; Hamdallahpur, F.; Glder, .L. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 1994, 45-46, 93-102. 5. Bagby, M.O. In Proc. 9th Int. Conf. Jojoba Uses, 3rd Int. Conf. New Industr. Crops Prod.; Princen, L.H., Rossi, C., Eds.; Assoc. Advancem. Industr. Crops. publ. 1996; pp. 220-224. 6. Kaufman, K.R.; Ziejewski, M. Trans. ASAE 1984, 27, 1626-1633. 7. Ali, Y.; Hanna, M.A.; Cuppett, S.L. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 1995, 72, 1557-1564. 8. Avella, F.; Galtieri, A.; Fiumara, A. Riv. Combust. 1992, 46, 181-188. 9. Nelson, L.A.; Foglia, T.A.; Dunn, R.O.; Marmer, W.N. submitted for publication. -- From: Biodiesel: The Use of Vegetable Oils and Their Derivatives as Alternative Diesel Fuels, G. Knothe, R.O. Dunn, and M.O. Bagby, in Fuels and Chemicals from Biomass. Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society. Download full-text article: Acrobat file, 912kb MS Word file, 212kb See also: Fats and oils -- resources Back to top
Biofuels
En espaol -- Biocombustibles, biodiesel Biofuels Library Biofuels supplies and suppliers Biodiesel Make your own biodiesel Mike Pelly's recipe Two-stage biodiesel process FOOLPROOF biodiesel process Biodiesel processors Biodiesel in Hong Kong Nitrogen Oxide emissions Glycerine Biodiesel resources on the Web Do diesels have a future? Vegetable oil yields and characteristics Washing Biodiesel and your vehicle
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Standards and the homebrewer: Journey to Forever
Standards and the homebrewer

"Most of the standards can be met simply by preparing and washing the fuel well," says Todd Swearingen of Appal Energy.
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From a message to the Biofuel mailing list, Thursday, 10 Oct 2002 Looking at the US ASTM D-6751 standards as the benchmark for home brewers, most of the standards can be met simply by preparing and washing the fuel well. A) Flash point (130 deg C minimum) will be relatively consistent for all feedstocks, presuming reaction completion and the alcohol is removed. If the alcohol is distilled or washed out this is a non-problem. B) Water and sediment (0.050 maximum % by volume) are nonproblems with adequate settling times, filtration and fuel reheating to about 120 deg F (48 deg C). (I don't suggest adding any acid to clear fuel haze, as this will increase the acid number.) C) Free glycerin (0.020 maximum % by mass) is removed and is a non-problem with adequate settling time and washing. D) Total glycerin (0.240 maximum % by mass) is reduced to nil and is a non-problem if sufficient reaction time is permitted (mono-, di- and tri-glycerides are all cracked), sufficient caustic is used (not excess, as this can raise the acid number by cracking methyl esters back to FFAs) and sufficient settling time is given. E) Kinematic viscosity (1.9 - 6.0 mm2/s at 40 deg C) will also be a non-problem if the total glycerin content (Items C & D) has been resolved and the acid number is not elevated by imprudent use of caustic, causing back cracking of esters to FFAs (higher viscosity than B-100). F) Sulfated ash (0.020 % by mass) is a non-controllable when using straight base (single-stage base transesterification), as the only sulfur in the equation is derived from the parent feedstock. When using an acid/base process the sulfuric acid used in the esterification step is neutralized by the base. The resulting salt is soluble in the water wash and should be a non-problem with proper washing.
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G) Sulfur (0.05% maximum by mass) -- see Item F. B-100 is essentially sulfur free. H) Phosphorus content (0.001% maximum by mass) is a noncontrollable relative to the parent animal or plant feedstock and is a non-problem as long as phosphoric acid is not used to clear fuel haze. Phosphoric acid can also increase the acid number (acid + FFAs). This is why either adequate settling times, and slightly warmed fuel are the better options for clearing fuel. I) Acid number (0.80 maximum milligrams of KOH per gram of fuel) will remain low if acids are not added to the fuel either pre, post or during washes (either to "ease washing" (?) or clear fuel haze) and if caustic is not used in excess, which causes higher numbers of esters to break down to FFAs. Other standards, such as distillation temperature, copper strip corrosion, cetane number and cloud point are for all practical intents and purposes properties that will fall within the ASTM standard if the fuel is prepared and washes are conducted properly. As for a poor person's method of checking acid number... It can be conducted in the exact same manner as the titration of the original feedstock, save for the substitution of biodiesel for oil. Keep in mind that the assay of the KOH being used will need to be taken into consideration. If the assay is 90% for example, the number of milligrams of KOH per gram of oil should be multiplied by the % purity. One can also assay the KOH with an acid titration. But that's a bit out of the realm of probability for most shadetree biodieselers. The in-house chemist (Ph.D. in chemistry) suggests that a careful titration using the same method as the original feedstock titration should get you within + or - 10%, perhaps + or - 5% if one is really precise. You could also use other indicators such as phenolphthalein to titrate the fuel. This would reduce the margin for error from the "pH method," as pH is really designed for aqueous solutions. Hope this helps. Todd Swearingen Appal Energy

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