Comments on: HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BIODIESEL

By: DocWu

DocWu — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:07:48 +0000

Okay, that’s a nice table-top proof that you can make enough biodeisel to get your car started…

How about some advice on scaling that up to a size that might be practical for a real person, like maybe 55-gallon size?

And what will we do with all that glycerine on a larger scale?

By: Carl

Carl — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:48:30 +0000

Awww, moderation… if that part about Steve killing himself isn’t in there I will be greatly upset.

By: Carl

Carl — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:46:43 +0000

I am looking into producing biodiesel out of soy beans… not soya… soy. Kill yourself, Steve. Anyway, any information on the production of biodiesel from soy beans would be helpful. Also if you know any other products I could use to make biodiesel, such as peanuts, would be helpful.

By: Steve Uzer

Steve Uzer — Thu, 31 May 2007 08:21:27 +0000

hello i will like to know the entire process producing diesel with soya beans

By: Castor Oil

Castor Oil — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 11:22:23 +0000

Useful article, one of the few I have come across that focusses on the practical aspects of biodiesel…valuable links too, thanks

I am acually in search of content on biodiesel production from castor oil for a page we are putting up on the topic @ http://www.castoroil.in ( see http://www.castoroil.in/uses/fuel/castor_oil_fuel.html )…I understand that the only issue of debate could be the viscosity of the biodiesel, and would like any more inputs from members here

Thanks for your patienc

Ec @ Castor Oil Online @ http://www.castoroil.in

By: James

James — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 01:28:49 +0000

Your site is fantastic!
How about one on how to legally make your own tax free ethanol?
http://www.permaculture.com/alcohol/index.shtml

Peace,
James

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 25 May 2006 19:29:14 +0000

Absolutely true, Jeff, biodiesel does still release greenhouse and other gases, though dramatically less than standard diesel. I certainly intended to say “fewer” not “no” emissions come from my tailpipe. Biodiesel is not a perfect or permanent solution to our problems, and most of the staunchest advocates I know will still attest that biodiesel is merely an intermediary step on the way to better solutions. According to the EPA:

“B100 reduces emissions of particulate matter and carbon monoxide by 47 percent. It also reduces emissions of hydrocarbons by 67 percent. However, B100 increases emissions of nitrogen oxides by 10 percent. According to the US Department of Energy, biodiesel production and use, in comparison to petroleum diesel, produces 78% less carbon dioxide emissions. Although carbon dioxide is released when biodiesel made from soybeans is combusted, the annual production of soybean crops helps remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”

Thanks for your comment!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 25 May 2006 19:12:56 +0000

Not to be a wet blanket, but burning this stuff creates CO2, H2O, and other combustion products, so if your engine is running, Sarah, you’re spewing greenhouse gases out your tailpipe.

Greenhouse gas: Any gas that absorbs infra-red radiation in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), halogenated fluorocarbons (HCFCs) , ozone (O3), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
http://www.chm.davidson.edu/student/che105/masquare/glossary.htm

Hard to avoid creating greenhouse gas — even pedaling your bike will do it, when you breath.

By: Christoper A. Pine AICP

Christoper A. Pine AICP — Fri, 19 May 2006 21:10:52 +0000

I am a local land-use planning and entitlements consultant, and I can attest that things have moved relatively rapidly here in Southern California. With the leadership of several committed biodiesel users and experimenters, we have organized a consumers’ cooperative, Biodiesel Cooperative of Los Angeles, Inc. to popularize the use of biodiesel among existing diesel vehicle owners by making the locally produced and bulk-distributed ASTM-certified products more readily available “at the pump”. Up until very recently, one had the option of having making your own “homebrew” or getting the stuff shipped in bulk (55 gallon drums) to your home, or driving to the edges of the Greater Los Angeles region to fill up your barrels and Jerry cans (a quasi-military survivalist exercise, in the eyes of most consumers). Operational since January 6, we are somewhat unique in that we have a portable 1000 gallon trailer which we can move to a convenient central location (or take as a roadshow to farmers’ markets, school fairs, and recently, Earth Day fairs), from which the membership fills their VW’s, Mercedes, Jeeps, Dodge and Ford pickups, etc., with B100 or B99 (almost pure) biodiesel. Right now, our producer’s feedstock is California-grown surplus walnut oil, so our cars smell like baking cookies or furniture polish, rather than french fries! Our pioneering visibility has prompted the birth of a service station chain, USA Grown Fuel, which we (jokingly) say we want to put us out of business! Seriously, as stations are added, we hope to build additional fueling trailers, and grow membership “clubs” out the freeways inland, Johnny Appleseed-style, with the “bricks n’ mortar” service stations popping up behind. As of last week, biodiesel was cheaper at the pump than even regular unleaded gas! Check out our local website, http://www.biodiesel-coop.org, or link to http://www.biodiesel.org, the official website of the National Biodiesel Board.
[NO "SECRET FORMULA" OR "DA VINCI CODE" CONSPIRACY THEORY REQUIRED.]

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 18 May 2006 04:30:01 +0000

I own a fleet of large diesel trucks and have been looking into the possibility of using a biodiesel product. While I may not make enough ever for us to use this, at least, gives me some idea how biodiesel is produced.