The water heater makes an excellant processor. Biodiesel is made by heating and combining 2 flammable liquids , veg oil and methanol as well as the cataylist sodium hydroxide. Methanol is extremely flammable and just breathing the fumes to much can cause extreme health issues. Using a water heater made out of metal will contain the liquids and fumes in a safe manner where as a processor made of plastic that can melt in a fire?? The plastic tank processors will make fuel , they look more professional than an old water heater but are all WAY over priced and not near as safe to use. Way cheaper to build your own.

 

humm... Interesting, I was sold on the nice plastic tanks etc. they do look professional. How cheap would it be to make my own out of a water heater?

How do the plastic tanks heat the fuel? Like a spa style heater?

Everything i have read doesnt say anything about the plastic tanks heating the fuel?

 

The veg oil is usually heated up to 130 degrees in a separate metal drum prior to the plastic processor tank or with an in-line type heater installed in the circulation piping.
A used water heater can usually be found for free from plumbers or found for free on craigslist. The main cost is in the plumbing and valves, My processor cost me 4 to 5 hundred to make. I used an old 60 gallon air compresser tank I had. Works great! Basically its the "appleseed style processer" with upgrades.

 

Got ya. I have been reading about running strait WVO but i really dont want to deal with the switching back to diesel to start&stop. Plus my friend wants to go in half on the processor and make fuel for his powerstroke. I dont think he coudl run WVO if he wanted to. What do you think would be best to run?

 

Got ya. I have been reading about running strait WVO but i really dont want to deal with the switching back to diesel to start&stop. Plus my friend wants to go in half on the processor and make fuel for his powerstroke. I dont think he coudl run WVO if he wanted to. What do you think would be best to run?

If you think that's inconvenient just wait until you start making BD. Your engine is a rare gift in that it can run straight oils with relative ease. I picked up 600 gallons of nice veg oil this winter from a guy who gave up making BD because it wasn't worth his time.

Good Luck.

 

Bio diesel mixes in any amount with regular diesel, if you are on the road and need fuel , buy some. no problem. Your truck will run the same on either one. no need for two tanks. Running WVO may not cost anything for the oil, but you have to pay to convert the truck.
It costs some either way. Convert the oil or the truck. I know lots of people swear by running WVO straight. I see the crap that falls out of the oil when its processed. Yuck, I wouldn't want that going through my motor , but hey thats just me. To make the oil clean and dry enough to make me happy , I might as well just make it into bio. There is a learning curve but once you understand the process making bio is fast and easy. After you have made a couple batches you will wonder why more people don't do it.

 

Running WVO may not cost anything for the oil, but you have to pay to convert the truck.
It costs some either way. Convert the oil or the truck.

True, but this is a one time expense. And its a relatively small expense. If someone doesn't have the skill to build their own WO system on the truck then they probably don't have the skill to make their own BD processing system, a system which notably more complex than an SVO processor. Making BD requires constant babysitting unless you have an automated processor which is bookoo bucks and complex.

I have my single drum processor waste oil processor that has a centrifuge, heaters and spin on prefilters. I spend about 10 minutes doing prefiltering, switch on the heater and walk away for about 1.5 hours. Come back its nice and warm and switch over to the fuge and walk away for 4-6 hours. Come back and its ready for the tank.

I know lots of people swear by running WVO straight. I see the crap that falls out of the oil when its processed. Yuck, I wouldn't want that going through my motor , but hey thats just me. To make the oil clean and dry enough to make me happy

Where do you think that "crap" goes when you process it? No different than someone processing just oil. My oil is water free and could be USDA approved when it comes out of the centrifuge.

 

600 gallons

I just spent 2hrs reading about wvo I think im sold on it. Now I need to figure out how to make the cheapest kit possible. Any pointers?

 

I just moved and lost my storage, I gave away 2 -275 gallon totes full of oil . Didn't really need that much any way. I collect 60 to 100 gallons a month .
Good sources of info, Graham's biodiesel docs. , Utah Biodiesel Supply - Biodiesel Processing Supplies, Equipment, Processors and Information - Biodiesel Homebrewing , BioLyle's Biodiesel Workshop - Biodiesel Homebrewing Workshop DVD, BioPro Processors - Kuma Oil Stoves, Solar

 

Thanks for the info!

 

JTraik
I'm not knocking running straight wvo, I have thought of doing it myself. I have heard of many people that use it without issues. I've also heard horror storys of people using wvo straight OR made into bio. I sounds like you have taken the time to learn the correct ways to prepare your oil and use it. What ever you prefer to use , I think the key to using it either way is taking the time to learn to do it right. Id like to see your processor, sounds like a nice setup.

 

This guy obviously didn't do it right.. wow.

WVO no more-My Tragic Greaser Story - TDIClub Forums

 

Holey chit! WTF happened?

I know I have read that TDI's are very picky when it comes to fuel but what would cause all that catastrophic damage to happen to a 12v?

 

My guess would be that he didnt clean and de-water his oil well enough, I know some diesel engines handle straight wvo better than others. It didn't look like it was burning the fuel completely for some reason. I know bio has its issues to, if it isn't made correctly it can cause filter clog , any water left in can damage injectors , if theres anything made with rubber , hoses or o-rings it will desolve them. Either way there is a chance for problems if not done right.

 

seems to me cleaning/de-watering WVO is less involved than bio. Plus it sounds like the p-pump is much less sensitive than a TDI.

 

Looks like he did not filter it well for water.

Just spent the last 2 days building my Appleseed! Here's to hopin'!