Biodiesel question

[TJadeI]

I typically use waste vegetable oil to process into BD. I have a source for as much fryer oil as I can haul, but not sure if I can use it. It doesn't ever get solid, but when it is fresh it is white... like a cloudy white. Still very liquid and viscous, and the box/jug it comes in says fryer oil. But it's white. Why is it white?!? And can I use it? Right now there's about 150 gallons I could pick up today if I can use it. I'll try to get a photo of the container and the color tonight. it is the kitchen i work the line in, so not like I'd HAVE to get it tomight, but if the bin gets filled before I take it, it will be gone.

Thanks in advance!!

[TJadeI]

[Chucknbob]

My uneducated guess is that it is aerated or something like that. Sometimes air is mixed in to change the consistency. If there is an ingredient list, see if anything other than oil is listed. You could call the company as well to see if it's mixed with anything.

Is it clear when it's used up and thrown out? If so, then I would assume it's safe to use.

[TJadeI]

It is clear when used as far as I know, buy the fryers are also drained hot so I'm not sure what it looks like once it is cold again

[rambler]

The ingredients are listed there on the label.

Ingredients:
Soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil. TBHQ and citric acid added to help preserve freshness.
Dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foam agent added.

Paul

[TJadeI]

So could I use it for BD?

[rambler]

My whole state uses B5 biodiesel, some is even produced from the dead animal rendering works near me, if they can get lard to work here in winter in Minnesota anything can.

How are you processing the stuff, I hear anything to just filter it and heat it as you feed it to the engin, to the cracking it with methanol, to the full process the big plants do for the state fuel supplies... And the. From running it straight to making a blend....

I know I'm not helping, just curious what you do?

Paul

[TJadeI]

I use methanol and lye.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by TJadeI

I use methanol and lye.

.............If , you are planning on running IT in a newer , diesel pickup , like a 2012-2015 model with the new EPA fuel systems then you had better beable to afford a $15,000 repair IF the mfgers deny your warranty claim . They , on a regular basis , are claiming that the diesel fuel that is available is NOT compatable with their fuel systems . Ford is especially good at denying owner warranty claims . , fordy

[rambler]

Those running methanol and lye routine likely have an older easy to work on diesel vehicle/ tractor.

As it is soybean oil, I would think it would work? I don't know what those small additives would do to it, would think they would boil off along the way, unless someone knows better.

My brother in law, in better times, got a setup to do that, I went with him to see a batch brewed up and to pick it up from the Sparta Wisconsin area. Unfortunately nothing ever came of it. Interesting process. They had several German Ford tractors there that were a bit better designed to work on the stuff.

Paul

[TJadeI]

I'm running it in a mid 90s dodge ram, gasoline to diesel and 1/4 to 1 ton conversion. Also have a 93kenworth semi tractor that I'm thinking about, but repairs on that sicker are painful as is, so I'm still a bit nervous. Looking into picking up some older farm equipment that runs diesel.

[AmericanStand]

Is it liquid at the lowest temperature you would use it at?

[fixitguy]

Here's a pretty nice link on bio-fuel.

YouTube

Also, you tube has many,many links to home made set-ups.

[TJadeI]

I have a set up I just have only processed a specific type of oil. This stuff is liquid at all temperatures as far as I can tell, it is just white. Also, I checked at work last night, and once it cools, it does stay clear, so the white is only until it is heated in the fryer?

[o&itw]

I think they cause here is "hydrogenated" vegetable oil. Hydogenation is a way to link molecules of oil into larger links so that the product melts at a higher temperature... Margarine is hydrogenated vegetable oil. Think bacon greese when it cools or olive oil if you put it in the fridge... it turns white. If the place is using it to fry meat, then you have the meat fat which is more of a solid at room temperature.

Whether the process used to make biodiesel will break the oil back down into smaller carbon chains.... I don't know.

[ct01r]

Do you do a titration test before you process it? That gives me a rough idea of the quality of the oil. (Technically, it'll tell you how much lye to use, but if it fails titration, I don't use it.)

Next, make a sample batch and see how it works. I make a 1/2 gallon batch in a milk jug to make sure I have good separation.

Just curious, do you have any problem with the lye disolving? I went to potasium hydroxide and it disolves a lot easier.

It almost sounds like the oil that you want to use is new. I've used new canola oil that is white/yellow/opaque. Every kind of oil that I've seen that's been used is darker. It could be that they used some of it, didn't like it, and want to get rid of the rest. Curt

[TJadeI]

I'm a cook at dennys. When we change the oil in the fryers, and the oil is new, it is white. After it is used, it looks like regular fryer oil. I also make the lye from the ash from hardwood smoker from another restaurant. So it is always liquid. No dissolving issues.