FordExcursions.com Forums
Don Murray
 |
|
• Bridgewater, NJ, USA |
|
• Registered on 1/5/2004 |
|
• 128 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
|
|
 Posted:9/18/2004 07:59 |
|
|
Hey guys,
As we start to pay more at the pump for fuel, at a tune of $1.79-$1.89gal in NJ and expecting $2.00+ this winter, I'm looking at alternative fuel measures.
I have been looking at the ability to use used cooking oil from local restaurants at a cost of $.20-.30 per gal respectable call BIODIESEL. Usually it can be picked up for pennies on the gallon but when a refuse company comes in you need to bid higher.
Anyhow, you can't dump in used oil as it sits, it would clog the fuel filter and destroy the injectors. So the is a brewing process that is performed and after "processing" the oil yield is quite high @ 90% of original supply. The processing time allows to remove the fatty acids and by products from the oil also know as glycerin (soap)
I'm looking to starting small but work my way up. My plan is to start using the product quite often as a pure energy source for all my appliances. Heat, electric generator, trucks.
My yearly average cost on energy being electric, natural gas for heat, and diesel fuel is $7306.
If my figures suit me and I convert over to bio"fuel" my yearly cost will be $2347 per year at a saving of $4959.00. WOW.
Anyone have an interest in saving a couple of bucks and help do your part in a cleaner environment? 
Don
aKa The TRACTOR
Smokem' if you can!!!! |
|
Gen-X
 |
|
• Toronto, XX, Canada |
|
• Registered on 1/19/2004 |
|
• 344 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
|
|
|
Posted:9/18/2004 22:16 |
|
|
| Quote: | Hey guys,
As we start to pay more at the pump for fuel, at a tune of $1.79-$1.89gal in NJ and expecting $2.00+ this winter, I'm looking at alternative fuel measures.
I have been looking at the ability to use used cooking oil from local restaurants at a cost of $.20-.30 per gal respectable call BIODIESEL. Usually it can be picked up for pennies on the gallon but when a refuse company comes in you need to bid higher.
Anyhow, you can't dump in used oil as it sits, it would clog the fuel filter and destroy the injectors. So the is a brewing process that is performed and after "processing" the oil yield is quite high @ 90% of original supply. The processing time allows to remove the fatty acids and by products from the oil also know as glycerin (soap)
I'm looking to starting small but work my way up. My plan is to start using the product quite often as a pure energy source for all my appliances. Heat, electric generator, trucks.
My yearly average cost on energy being electric, natural gas for heat, and diesel fuel is $7306.
If my figures suit me and I convert over to bio"fuel" my yearly cost will be $2347 per year at a saving of $4959.00. WOW.
Anyone have an interest in saving a couple of bucks and help do your part in a cleaner environment?
Don
|
Don,
I'm very lucky....my company cover my diesel costs. However, I would be interested in your findings. Please let us know how you make out with your testing.
Good luck! You continue to set the bar very high. 
Cheers  |
|
Dave Reinken
 |
|
• PHX, AZ, USA |
|
• Registered on 6/7/2004 |
|
• 29 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
|
|
|
Posted:9/19/2004 17:23 |
|
|
Around here biodiesel runs about $2.79/gallon (B100,) diesel #2 is $1.80-$2.00 a gallon. I'm considering running it anyhow, at least B20, but... It would be neat if more people would run it, so the price would come down...
Big 2001 X, 4X4 7.3 PSD, modified |
|
Dave Sullivan
 |
|
• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
|
• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
|
• 199 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:9/24/2004 15:20 |
|
|
If more people ran it, the price would go up .
|
|
Dave Reinken
|
|
• PHX, AZ, USA |
|
• Registered on 6/7/2004 |
|
• 29 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
|
|
|
Posted:9/24/2004 20:25 |
|
|
| Quote: | | If more people ran it, the price would go up . |
How do you figure that? If major companies were to produce it in mass quantities, the price should go down. It is completely renewable, and it is estimated that we could produce 60 to 80 million gallons a year with our currently dedicated facilities, or even up to 200 million in less than one year if we wanted to. It is a simple process to make it, and it should function like mass production in any other area, meaning that producing a million gallons would be cheaper than producing a thousand gallons, with the right facilities.
Big 2001 X, 4X4 7.3 PSD, modified |
|
Wayne Wenzlaff
 |
|
• Minneapolis, MN, USA |
|
• Registered on 8/23/2004 |
|
• 12 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:9/27/2004 18:51 |
|
|
I am *trying* to be a big supporter of BioDiesel, as it would greatly reduce our dependency on foreign oil and is a totally renewable resource. Also, my state (Minnesota) would be a big winner if it were adopted. I don't want to get into a long diatribe here, but there *are* some negatives for BioDiesel.
First, BioDiesel may/will void your warranty. BD is a natural solvent, which means it will eat away any rubber parts in your fuel system. I believe that newer engines have few or no rubber parts, but if your vehicle is under warranty be aware that you are at risk of having your warranty voided. When I talked to a GM factory guy he siad they do not warranty vehicles in which BD has been used. I do not know Fords policy. I suspect much will change in coming years, but to be safe you could probably run B2 (2% BD) without much problem. B20 (20% BD) would be pushing it. B100 (100% BD) is a definite no-no if your vehicle is under warranty.
Second, the solvent action will clean 'gunk' out of your engine and keep it clean. The negative of this is that you're likely to plug your fuel filter shortly after you make the switch. This can be resolved with a few extra filter replacements. Once you've been running BD for a while this problem goes away.
Third, BD has a MUCH higher gel point than DinoDiesel. While I could run in for about six months out of the year, the CURRENT versions of BD would stop me from using it the other six months, i.e. anytime there was a danger of a freeze. Remember I'm from Minnesota.
I would like to see the Feds dictate to the car companies that they must honor warranties for vehicle that use BioDiesel. Until that happens, I think adoption will be slow and painful. Perhaps a grass-roots campaign to our legislators is in order?
This is my opinion. YMMV
|
|
E. Long
 
 |
• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
|
• Atlanta, GA, USA |
|
• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
|
• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
|
|
|
Posted:9/27/2004 20:30 |
|
|
Hi neighbor (Wayne). Fellow Minnesotan here, too.
Curious, how does BioDiesel rate on the performance scale? How about on mileage?
I now regularly hit the $75 per-transaction limit on fuel pumps with diesel at $1.99 in my area. Premium gasoline is only $2.03. I hope this changes soon. I was enjoying it earlier this summer when diesel was consistently cheaper than 87 octane by several cents, sometimes as much as $0.25.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
|
Dave Reinken
|
|
• PHX, AZ, USA |
|
• Registered on 6/7/2004 |
|
• 29 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
|
|
|
Posted:9/28/2004 11:08 |
|
|
As far as I know, all major US diesel engine producers will honor their warrantees even with biodiesel. I have looked up Ford (International) specifically, but my understanding is that all manufacturers are on board. The rubber problems you mention also occur with the new lower sulfur regular diesel fuel, that is why you should be OK. In any case, test have bourne out that running B20 (20% biodiesel) doesn't cause problems with the elastomers anyhow. Mileage and power have been shown to be about the same as regular diesel. The solvent effect WILL loosen all the crap in your tanks and pipes, and yes, upon switching to biodiesel you will probably have to replace a couple fuel filters to get rid of all the crap that the regular diesel has left in your system. I live in PHX AZ, so I'm not real knowledgeable about the cold weather stuff, but my understanding is that you can use B20 then same way you would #2 diesel in cold climates, although you would have trouble with B100 in the dead of winter.
Big 2001 X, 4X4 7.3 PSD, modified |
|
Dave Sullivan
|
|
• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
|
• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
|
• 199 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:9/28/2004 12:07 |
|
|
| Quote: | | Quote: | | If more people ran it, the price would go up . |
How do you figure that? If major companies were to produce it in mass quantities, the price should go down. It is completely renewable, and it is estimated that we could produce 60 to 80 million gallons a year with our currently dedicated facilities, or even up to 200 million in less than one year if we wanted to. It is a simple process to make it, and it should function like mass production in any other area, meaning that producing a million gallons would be cheaper than producing a thousand gallons, with the right facilities. |
Well, Gasoline is mass produced and I don't see any reduction in price.
As the producers make more their costs go down so they make more money cuz they aint gonna lower their prices for the consumers sake. Supply and demand. It would be the same old story.
Dave S.
|
|
Dave Reinken
|
|
• PHX, AZ, USA |
|
• Registered on 6/7/2004 |
|
• 29 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
|
|
|
Posted:9/28/2004 13:25 |
|
|
| Quote: | | Well, Gasoline is mass produced and I don't see any reduction in price. |
Well, I do. If I tried to make my own gasoline for the
Big 2001 X, 4X4 7.3 PSD, modified |
|
|
|
