bio diesel

11 posts

there are many different forms of "bio diesel" (4 as far as i'm aware)
the one i am most tempted by is simply pouring new veg oil in the tank, preheating it and away you go! i run an old bedford tk - nice n simple. she does however have the rotary pump - a bit more delicate hence the need to pre-heat, which thins the fuel preventing mechanical damage to the pump. the injectors don't need to be changed if the viscosity (heat) of the oil is right - this is normally at about 80 degrees C - the same temp as your thermostat takeoff.

this method does not give the hassle, grot and risks of making your own from old cooking oil. you also don't (i'm told) get the problems associated with gelatine blocking up the filters/lines etc.

france and germany made it compulsory to add veg oil (5%?) to all diesel. this was not to be green but to look after the national fleets - the oil is MUCH better for lubrication, cleaner to burn and improve MPG. it can however smell of chips!

the emissions on veg oil powered vehicles lack all the nasty ingredients found in petro diesel.

mr diesel invented his engine for plant oils. he died the day after meeting with the big oil firms that were then in their infancy.

it has been made legal throughout europe to pay 0%duty, tax etc (they still get the VAT out of you) on oil for vehicle use up to a certain amount/year - i don't know this amount off the top of my head but it amounts to 1 car average use. i don't think it's legal of vehicles used commercially - not sure.

i'd be interested in hearing other people's experiences on this one.

many thanks,

sam

From Philippines, 2 posts

Latest News:

New car buyers in the state of Washington are going to get a break on their sales taxes when they buy some vehicles that run on alternative fuels. This story from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says it's expected to save them $18.6 million over the next couple of years and is designed to get people to trade in their old gas guzzlers (although, high gas prices ought to be enough incentive, right?): The tax break, which takes effect Jan. 1, applies only to new vehicles. It also only covers cars and trucks getting at least 40 highway mpg, which includes the Prius and hybrid Honda Civic, but not the Toyota Camry or hybrid SUVs. “What this law does is it helps people save some money to get them to choose a car that's more fuel efficient — and that's a good thing,” said Don Fahnestock, an owner of The Green Car Co., a Bellevue business that sells extra fuel-efficient vehicles. The tax break (9.3 percent in the Seattle area) covers vehicles that run on natural gas, propane and hydrogen, as well as “neighborhood electric vehicles” or “medium speed vehicles” (street legal, but can't go faster than 35 mph). The incentive is for all vehicles purchase..