Anyone make their own Bio Diesel?

[Thefatgunner]

I've always thought the idea of making my own fuel was pretty cool, i've heard figures between $.65-$1.25 for a gallon which means its between $1.10 and $1.70 saving per gallon right now (currently 2.35 locally) of course you have some initial investment cost and the cost of the other chemicals.

So how about it? anyone do it or know someone who does? most of us are DIY kinda people.

[KNO3]

I would love to do it, but I dont have a diesel vehicle or else I would.

[aeromarv]

I thought about it, all of our vehicles are diesel. But by the time you get everything set up (assuming you need to spend a little $$ to get all the tanks and mixers), I just couldn't foot the bill.

Besides, it sounds great, but saving $$ means you have to get used oil for free. While that sounds easy, most sources already have waste contracts so taking thier oil out of the collection containers is illegal, and if you do find someone to supply you, you better have the capacity to take a lot of it!

I've heard of a few of the recyclers paying for used oil rather than charging for it. Then they re-sell it to bio-diesel makers, or start their own bio-diesel operation. If you are in an area with a few recyclers doing that, then the supply of free oil is almost non-existant.

[Thefatgunner]

Originally Posted by aeromarv

I've heard of a few of the recyclers paying for used oil rather than charging for it. Then they re-sell it to bio-diesel makers, or start their own bio-diesel operation. If you are in an area with a few recyclers doing that, then the supply of free oil is almost non-existant.

thats true but if you think about it those companies are more likely to go after larger companies (like McD's) rather than the smaller places like the local chinese food place. I guess I'm lucky enough that I know enough restraunt owners who own diesels that i could convence them to eleminate any contracts, give me their oil and i could produce bio diesel for them and myself, heck i could probably get them to even drop the oil off at my house with the expectation that they could come get bio diesel in a few days, along with the empty barrel.

[amishclark]

not sure about where you live, but in pa used fryer oil is considered hazmat, which means you need a license to transport it...

[Thefatgunner]

Originally Posted by amishclark

not sure about where you live, but in pa used fryer oil is considered hazmat, which means you need a license to transport it...

that just seems retarded, frier oil being hazmat? really? come on people eat the stuff if its so bad why are people eating it?

(waits for someone to bring up the arguement against cigs or alcohol)

[ichy_trigger]

I know a guy who has a business cleaning commercil fryers. Its a liability to have restaurant employees do it so he charges them a small fee to come do it and he hauls te used oil away and then resells it to some Canadian company.

[nalioth]

I run SVO¹ in my diesel truck.


1) straight vegetable oil

[Bucc5207]

I make my own natural gas, if only I could capture it.

And oh yeah, it's hazmat.

[rtparso]

Just my 2¢
Converting used cooking oil to diesel is not cheep. You can filter the cooking oil and run it in some diesels. Some can run it straight and some mixed. I don't know a lot about it but it works well in hot climates.