Biodiesel Conversion
...First of All...
Ok, about conversion. "Converting to biodiesel" is NOT necessary IF you are using "biodiesel." Biodiesel
can used straight into your tank, no conversion necessary. (in a diesel engine of course) That, after all, is the whole purpose.
"Biodiesel Conversion" refers to using straight vegetable oil in place of diesel fuel or biodiesel. That's
right folks...the diesel engine will run on canola. It was designed that way. But it won't run well, and this is where the biodiesel conversion
comes in. So keep reading...
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One, ordinary vegetable is too viscous, too thick to run well and needs to be heated before being introduced into
your engine.
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For another, ordinary vegetable oil will not ignite at the temperature necessary for an internal
combustion engine.
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Also, in cold weather it will turn positively sluggish and gel.
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But if you absolutely, positively, just can't live life in any other way, then this is possible and
you will have to "convert" your diesel engine to run on vegetable oil..
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Once again, a lot of people have done just that and wouldn't have it any other way. I say, more power
to them!
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I have to admit, going to the supermarket for your fuel and dumping Crisco into your tank while
everyone else sits in long lines, getting fleeced at the gas pump does have a certain appeal...
But I digress...
Personally, (CAUTION! personal opinion coming here.) I think you should just learn to make biodiesel , buy a kit , or build a processor, and not have the rest of the headaches, but that's me
speaking as a mechanically-challenged individual.
So I assume at this point, that YOU WANT TO RUN STRAIGHT VEGETABLE OIL in your DIESEL engine and that is what
we are talking about from now on. First...
...Advantages and Disadvantages of Biodiesel vs. Straight Vegetable Oil
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Biodiesel
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Vegetable Oil
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PROS
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CONS
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PROS
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CONS
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| Burns cleaner than SVO |
Need to buy a kit
or build a processor to process SVO |
Use straight vegetable oil in your engine. |
Engine Conversion necessary |
| No engine conversion necessary |
Possibly erode rubber in older cars |
Infinitely renewable. |
Need to spend money on a conversion
kit |
| Biodiesel by-products useful |
May need to change filters |
|
Doesn't burn as cleanly as biodiesel |
| Can be made cheaply |
Time consuming |
|
May need to change filters |
| Many car makers warrant use |
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Possibly erode rubber (hoses) in older cars |
| Established history as a Biofuel |
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Problems may develop in cold weather |
| Processors can be built from scratch or bought cheaply. |
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| Infinitely renewable |
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See also:
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10 Steps to SVO or WVO conversion. A very good, detailed look at the steps involved in
converting to SVO or WVO. I especially like his section on finding and procuring WVO, sometimes the hardest part of all.
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Biodiesel Conversion Kits: OK, at this point we are going to
assume I haven't talked you out of using SVO and you are ready to proceed. Then you are ready to start looking at some .
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You may also want to...
Look at Biodiesel Cars (Coming Soon)
Look at Biodiesel Trucks (Coming Soon)
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