Biodiesel-From Field to Fuel Tank
Well, every now
and then.
You have to go.
Out on a limb!!!
This is not rocket science
Using Vegetable Oil as a Fuel The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1895 when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine to run on vegetable oil. He demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 and described an experiment using peanut oil as fuel in his engine. In 1911 Rudolf Diesel stated: "The diesel engine can be fed with vegetable oils and would help considerably in the development of agriculture of the countries which use it." In 1912, Diesel said "the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in course of time as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time." Lets make his statement come true in the 21st century...
Ethanol vs. Biodiesel A tank the size of a football field 40 miles high would hold all the gasoline used in automobiles in the USA for 1 year Ethanol takes special equipment, time, labor and energy Good for use in light duty engines- modified gas engines
Ethanol vs. Biodiesel One acre of sunflowers or canola can produce 100-130 130 gallons of oil Investment to produce biodiesel is very reasonable ($8,000 to $100,000) for 4,000 to 60,000 gallons Most farms run on diesel rather than gasoline Making biodiesel is easier than making chocolate chip cookies!!
Easier than Chocolate Chip Cookies Cookies Sugar Brown sugar Butter Shortening Egg Vanilla Flour Baking soda Salt Chocolate chips Biodiesel Fat or oil Methanol Catalyst Sodium hydroxide Potassium hydroxide Sodium metholate
General Definition of Biodiesel: Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean, canola, sunflower oil and animal fat and which meets the specifications of American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM D 6751).
Biodiesel Myths Can I use biodiesel in cold climates? Biodiesel does gel at a somewhat higher temperature (about 15-40F) depending on the oil used. To lower the gel point of biodiesel you can Mix it with some winterized diesel Add an anti-gel additive specifically formulated for biodiesel Install a fuel system heating kit and run 100% biodiesel well below zero
Biodiesel Myths Will my biodiesel void my engine warranty? Most major diesel vehicle manufacturers have already acknowledged that up to 5% (B5) biodiesel will NOT void your warranty. Check with your dealer or diesel mechanics for further details. Companies such as Cummins, Caterpillar and John Deere have extensively tested biodiesel and are strong supporters.
Biodiesel Myths Am I responsible to pay fuel tax? Technically, you are responsible for paying any applicable road use taxes on the biodiesel you make. The IRS provides a 1,600 gallon/person/year exemption for home-made made and personally consumed (not sold) alternative fuels like biodiesel. Wisconsin requires a monthly report and that tax be paid for biodiesel. Wisconsin Dept of Revenue Form MF-017 Rev 3-063
Biodiesel Myths How safe is biodiesel to handle? What about spills? Biodiesel is non-toxic, fully biodegradable, and safe to store (100-125F 125F higher flash point) than petroleum diesel.
How safe is Biodiesel? Remember!!! You started with cooking oil-you still have cooking oil!!!
Biodiesel Myths Can I mix biodiesel with regular fossil diesel? You can mix biodiesel in ANY ratio, back and forth, with no problems.
Do I need special storage facilities? In general, the standard storage and handling procedures used for petroleum diesel can be used for biodiesel. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry, dark environment. Acceptable storage tank materials include aluminum, steel, fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene.
Biodiesel Myths How long can I store biodiesel? Biodiesel can be stored for years provided that it is kept free of oxygen (displace air with nitrogen form your local welding shop) and bacteriological growths (just add a biocide made exclusively for biodiesel).
Biodiesel Myths How does biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel or gasoline? Gas Petro-diesel Bio Greenhouse gas +35% 0-70% Particulates -70% 0-55% Nitrous Oxides -55% 0 +5% Volatile Organics +170% 0-45% Carbon Monoxide +415% 0-45%
Is it approved for use in the US? Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meets clean diesel standards established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Neat (100 percent) biodiesel has been designated as an alternative fuel by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Department of Transportation (DOT).
Who can answer my questions about biodiesel? The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) maintains the largest library of biodiesel information in the US. Information can be requested by visiting the biodiesel web site at www.biodiesel.org, by emailing the NBB at info@nbb.org,, or by calling NBB s s toll free number (800) 841-5849.
Fields to Fuel Barron County in 2004 29,300 acres of soybeans or 934,000 bu 79,900 acres of corn or 6,580,000 bu 26,500 head of cattle
Fields to Fuel Currently Barron Co. farmers pay $.36-.40.40 a bushel to transport their soybeans to market Redwing, MN Mankato, MN Duluth, MN
Fields to Fuel Barron Co. dairy farmers pay $10- $20 a ton to have soybean meal ( or other protein sources) hauled back to Barron Co.
Use Quality Oil Highest quality oils Canola Sunflower Flax Camelena Lower quality Soy oil Animal fat
Homemade Biodiesel from Waste Oil Cost less than $.70 a gallon to produce 10-25% of all used oil collected is discarded Most used cooking oil is soy based
Cost of Setting Up 2 screw press $16,500 3 phase converter $1,200 electrical work $500 2 augers $1,000 press stand $300 overhead bin $25 3 settling tanks $500 Fittings, tubes $25 Total $18,000-$19,500 Fuel making equipment Fuelmeister-processor $3,000 Could process 10,000 to 30,000 gallons/year
Cost of Oil 2000 # sunflower @ $.12/# = $240.00 1,280# of sunflower meal @ $.12/# = $154.00 720# of oil @ $.119/# = $86.00 Cost of making oil Oil @ $.119/# $.119 Labor/# $.02 Electricity/# $.01 Depreciation/# $.02 Repairs/# $.02 Total Cost per # $.189
Cost of Fuel Oil 7.8 # x $.189/# = $1.47/ gallon Labor $.10/gallon.10 Electricity $.05/gallon.05 Lye $.02/gallon.02 Methanol=$2.20 $.43/gallon.43 Total Cost/gallon $2.07
Cost of Fuel Once you have your fuel made and used, remember you may be able to collect $1.00/gallon from the IRS Form 8864 Biodiesel Fuel Credit
You re the Middleman in Every Step Grow or purchase the seed stock Oil Convert to fuel-no more fuel bills Or sell Meal feed-no more feed bills Or sell for feed or corn burner fuel