Spent part of the morning re-working the 3/4" pipe to connect the WVO collection tank to the processor. Looks like I'll be able to reuse 100% of the pipe and parts from the previous system. I will have to get more parts to create a new method to use multiple injection streams into the processor. Instead of just one stream to mix/agitate I'm designing a system using 4 streams/ports. I'll post pictures or schematic later this weekend.

FINALLY! I've got the Jerry Rig II setup just about ready. I know, I know....it's taken me long enough it's been tough with family and work responsibilities but I'm just about there. Here are some pictures to show the progress.

From Jerry Rig Biodiesel Processor Updates

From Jerry Rig Biodiesel Processor Updates

From Jerry Rig Biodiesel Processor Updates

Yet another update

While waiting for the battery on my riding mower to charge, I decided to begin disassembling Jerry Rig I. Let's all take a moment of silence to honor and recognize all the biodiesel Jerry Rig I created...........ok that's enough.



As you can see by these photos that using the 16 gallon drum was VERY simple. I can say without a doubt had I been driving less than 500 miles a week I would have been still using Jerry Rig I to produce my biodiesel. This is a great size to begin with and easy/inexpensive to build. It also didn't require a whole lot of space to setup either. I've offered up the processor to a group of VW TDI owners to adopt. Lets see what happens.

Progress

Since my last post I've made some progress and should have Jerry Rig II up by mid week. I've finally plumbed the bottom for my WVO collection tank and ready to put it in place. For those going with a stand pipe design you can go to Lowe's and have them add threading to pipe in order for there to be enough thread that comes out of the bottom to attach to needed pipe to connect to system.

Finally found some washers to seal up the hole I slightly made a smidge to big for the electric water heater element.

Measure twice, cut once....DOH!

Well, I was delayed in getting Jerry Rig II up and running due to a dumb mistake in measurement. I was in the process of cutting a hole to mount the water heater element and upon inserting the element I realized I cut the hole just a smidge to big. Rather than using the inner diameter of the fitting I used the outer diameter. DOH! Being so busy with work and family I haven't had a chance to find a gasket and washer to try and fix my error. But in the mean time I've processed yet another 30+ gallons with Jerry Rig I.

I also had another minor set back in that both of my resin towers had a malfunction. Due to the weight of the resin and biodiesel in the towers they screens began sagging and came loose on one side thus allowing the resin to flow out. Due to the design I followed there's no easy way of repairing the screens as they are glued in. The design should have included some type of support structure to hold up the screens under load. I'm in the process of redesigning and modifying the design to allow for repairs and access to the screens. Here's a diagram of my idea.

Diesel Tax Credits

Here's a table of tax credit qualifying cars being sold. Surprise not a single one is US made.

T Minus 4 Days

 
 

Let the count down begin, T minus 4 Days! That is the target date for the offical launch of Jerry Rig II! It is my intention to get Jerry Rig II up and running and producing two 35 gallon batches this coming Sunday. As I begin to get closer to that day I will share the final construction and use of the new processor.

Here are some pictures of the plumbing for the bottom of processor. Man was tough finding the right parts but finally with the help of a Menard's sales person, Tom, I was able to find the right parts. So, to plumb JR2 using the kitchen sink strainer will require using a 1.5" Coupler, then a 1.5" nipple (4" in this case), and a 1.5" to .75" adapter to connect to my existing .75" system.

Next, bowling of the bottom of the processor! Stay Tuned!!

Aaah..Spring is in the air, time to Brew!

Well, I know I've shirked my duties in keeping the blog updated but man it's tough to find new things to right about! But fear not I have come up with a solution! REGURGITATION!

Yes, that's right re-visiting my experiences but with a slight twist. As you remember I was working on Jerry Rig II to upgrade to a production capacity of 30-35 gallons of finished biodiesel. Well, since I have to reconstruct and rearrange everything I thought I would document the whole thing for all to see. I'm looking forward to it!

On a side note I've been having a hell of a time obtaining lye from Lowes and other retail outlets. I called around to several chemical suppliers and none will do business with individuals without a business license. Would appear that the damn meth heads of made it more difficult for us law bidding citizens to acquire such chemicals. Damn drugtards!! But thanks to the kindness of some fellow brewers I was able to find a couple of sources for getting ahold of some potassium hydroxide(KOH). Wonder if any of the meth heads would sell me some their KOH?

Ford Fiesta 65mpg but not here in US! WTF?!

Well, you wonder why the American 3 are in such dire straights, here's your answer. Ford has a Fiesta diesel that they sell in Europe for around $13K and that gets 65mpg. But yet they won't bring it here to the the US! What idiots!

Here's the ad: show the car, text at the top showing price, text at bottom showing 65mph, and then screen goes black with " See you at the dealership."

More here.

Diesel doesn't get any sexier than this!

At the North American Auto Show in Detroit VW announced this concept diesel roadster. Sexy and 42mpg!

Biodiesel from Used Coffee Grounds

So here's the latest in biodiesel feed stock as a source for biodiesel. Used coffee grounds! Hell I drink enough that I could probably fuel a semi!

Some excerpts from the article:

"....Spent coffee grounds contain between 11 and 20 percent oil by weight. That's about as much as traditional biodiesel feedstocks such as rapeseed, palm, and soybean oil...."

"....Growers produce more than 16 billion pounds of coffee around the world each year........The scientists estimated, however, that spent coffee grounds can potentially add 340 million gallons of biodiesel to the world's fuel supply...."

Here's a link to the full article in Science Centeric web site.

I'm going to try to obtain a copy of the journal publication for complete details. Stay tuned!!

Quick "N" Dri

Read about this stuff that you run your biodiesel or WVO through to remove water at Utah Biodiesel Supply. It's called Quick "N" Dri.

Basically you build a tower, not unlike the Purolite resin tower, and then you just run your biodiesel or WVO through it to remove your water. Apparently a single pound will remove 12 gallons of water before needing to be regenerated. Regeneration is nothing more than letting the stuff sit out in the sun and dry out! For the price I'm going to have to order some and test it out.

Jerry Rig II Bottom Drain

Ok, after much delay, mostly procrastination, I have begun building Jerry Rig II!

First step was to cut a hole to allow for the insertion of a kitchen sink drain. To cut a hole I just my Dremel with a grinding disc attached. Why a kitchen sink drain you ask?! Well I had read some fellows that had used this technique with great success. Some other reaons:

*No welding needed
*Larger drain area
*Less cost (I'm all about saving money!)

So here are some pictures of my progress so far.

From Jerry Rig II

From Jerry Rig II

Next step is to hammer, pound, the bottom in order to create a bowl shape similar to a wok. By creating slopped sides it will aid in completely draining glycerol and water. I'll also be adding a water heater element to aid in heating up the WVO for the process and possibly for heating up the biodiesel to remove/recover methanol.

Biodiesel Cold Weather Issues

Well, here's a visual example of what happens to B100 when the temps drop to around 28 degrees fahrenheit.

From The BioD TDI

Depending on the vegetable oil you started with and how good your process was will determine the gel point of your biodiesel. If you use the hydrogenated style of oils you will have higher gel point.

With winter the use of B100 is pretty much going to be put on hold, especially for those of us in the northern regions. While one could install a two tank system like the straight vegetable oil (SVO) to preheat and then switch over to the B100. For the rest of us we will have to take blending our B100 with either DinoDiesel or with some Kerosene. Now I have to say I myself have not yet done this so I can't provide my personal insight on this, YET. As soon as I'm finished and start processing in the new Jerry Rig II I'll have to do some blending in order to use my fuel. Looks like I'll have to start maybe with a 80% B100 blended with 20% Kerosene as a starter. As it gets colder the blend of Kerosene will have to increase. But basically I'll have to take samples and experiment with the blend in order to get the right mix before adding to my tank.

Here's a nice discussion on the matter on the Biodiesel Infopop forums into the matter. I'll also add this link directly to the side bar for easier access.

2009 Green Car Winner is........'09 Jetta TDI

Well, for those of us in the VW TDI world this comes as no surprise but the folks over at GreenCar.com have voted the 2009 VW Jetta TDI as the greenest car for 2009.
For more on this click here to read the article.

Jerry Rig II Update

Well just wanted to share the design of the Jerry Rig II processor with you. I've gathered all the required parts needed and just need to start assembling. I'm guessing should take me 3 nights to get everything assembled.

A great moment in US history

Tonight I shed tears of joy and pride for our country. During a time of confusion where it's people were searching for hope and leadership we came together to elect that one person that brings us hope.

A step towards the future and the realization of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream and leaving the ugliness of racism behind. I know there will still be those that will continue to harbor hate in their hearts, but for this new generation we shall go forward to forge a new future for all.

I can't say it enough how proud I am that I cast my vote for President Elect Obama and that I'm a citizen of the United States of America! God bless Barack Obama and God Bless The United States of America.

Day to Make History

One of the great things about the United States is the ability for it's citizens to vote for their leaders, albeit it sometimes feels that they don't hear or listen to us. So today we go to the polls to cast our vote, our voice for the individuals we feel that can lead our country in the right direction and prosperity. Regardless of your ideology or party affiliation you have to vote! That's the least one must do in order to be a citizen.

Proof in the Pudding (Purolite that is!)

Just wanted to share some pictures of the Purolite results.  In the first image you see the biodiesel in it's raw form after the removal of the glyerol.  Next to it is a small sample of the same biodiesel after it's journey through the Purolite resin tower.  As you can see it's clarity is amazing!

In the last image I added water to simulate a water wash to remove out remaining impurities and soap.  I gently agitated the two samples and you can see the amount of soap (white water at the bottom) that the raw sample had in it.  The water in the Purolite sample is clear as can be!  Using water to get the biodiesel to this stage would have take the better part of 2 days to wash and dry before I could use it.

As you can see the Purolite definitely delivers on it's claims.

Stinky Biodiesel?!

Looks like a new crop has potential for the source of biodiesel.  Stinkweed (Pennycress:Thlaspi arvense L.).  This crop is a fall/winter crop that produces seeds that have a 35% oil yield.

More on this in this article.