Biodiesel

 

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PARSONAGE TECHNOLOGY

Thinking about BIODIESEL?  We all need to think, and think seriously, about what we would do if the price of petrol and diesel increased dramatically and suddenly.  It could happen in the event of political instability in any one (or more) of the oil producing countries.  The price of oil in January 2007 (15/01/2007) was 52USD/barrel.  To see today's price of CRUDE OIL click on this link:

http://www.oil-price.net/index.php?lang=en

Peter has developed an interest in making vehicle fuel (a substitute for diesel) from vegetable oil.  This is really more of a hobby for Peter when he is not working on electronic projects, but he is spending more and more time on it.  Late 2005 he wrote a short booklet describing a simple process for making BIODIESEL from vegetable oil, and where you can find the materials required in New Zealand.  There are lots of photos and you will be surprised at just how simple the process is.  This booklet is regularly offered for sale on the TradeMe website, hundreds of copies have now been sold.  Some who have bought this booklet are now making BIODIESEL to use in their vehicles.  In response to several requests Peter is now building to order self-contained Biodiesel Manufacturing Plants that are sold through this website (contact Peter by email: batpro@clear.net.nz ) and advertised on TradeMe from time to time.   A description/photo of this plant can be seen further down on this page.  For the current TradeMe Auction (as updated by Peter several times each day) of the introductory booklet please click on this link:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farming-industry/Other/auction-380061873.htm (updated  29 May 2011, 3:25pm)

Photo of Booklet

FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTION: Do I have to modify my vehicle to use BIODIESEL?

    ANSWER: No. Ordinary diesel vehicles after 1988 (some say 1991) do not need      any modification. Older vehicles my require some seals in the fuel system replaced with ones made from VITON or similar synthetic material.

QUESTION: Can I make BIODIESEL out of mushed swedes?

    ANSWER: No, not easily as there is too much water content.  Maybe if you dried them first then crushed them to squeeze out the oil - that works for turnips and I believe swedes are similar.  Yield may be too low to be worth the effort.

QUESTION: How much power does the BIODIESEL MANUFACTURING PLANT require?

    ANSWER: The Plant operates on normal single phase 230v AC household power as a plug-in appliance, requiring about one third the power of an electric jug.

QUESTION: Can the Manufacturing Plant do everything?

    ANSWER: Yes.  It can mix the chemicals, do the reaction, and do the washing (and each operation is done in a separate container - this reduces time spent cleaning out containers).  The Plant Operator just has to time the operations and operate valves/pump to transfer product from one part of the Plant to another, or discharge waste.

QUESTION: Does this Plant heat the oil?

    ANSWER: No.  I have found that to be unnecessary and don't recommend it.  If you are using animal fat (ie tallow) then it may be necessary to heat during the reaction process and, as an optional extra, this plant can be modified to do this.

QUESTION: If I make BIODIESEL and use it are there taxes to pay?

    ANSWER: No, only the normal road-user charges that apply to all diesel vehicles and based on the distance covered.

QUESTION: How long does it take to make BIODIESEL?

    ANSWER: About 30 minutes of your time, though the whole process (mostly waiting) takes about 12 hours.

QUESTION: Can I mix BIODIESEL with the petro-diesel from Shell/BP/Caltex/Mobil/etc?

    ANSWER: Yes, in any ratio - so if you run low on BIODIESEL when travelling simply top up with petro-diesel

QUESTION: Where can I see a Plant operating.

    ANSWER: Contact Peter on batpro@clear.net.nz and he may be able to put you in contact with a buyer prepared to give you a demo (most buyers are operating very private businesses and don't want visitors).

QUESTION: What is the performance in cold weather?

    ANSWER: Crystals tend to form in the biodiesel blocking filters in VERY cold weather requiring a preheater (see Trademe), or you can mix the BIODIESEL with some petro-diesel.

QUESTION: Where do I get the waste vege oil, or other feedstock?

    ANSWER: There is still plenty available from Takeaway shops, or you could try tallow from your local meatworks, maybe fish oil, you could even consider growing various crops.  Lots of opportunities here for those wanting to "give it a go".

QUESTION: Are there any other uses for BIODIESEL?

    ANSWER: Yes, portable generators, home heating, marine engines, farm pumps and machinery etc.  It really is GOOD STUFF.

QUESTION: How much biodiesel can this plant make in 12 hours?

   ANSWER:  In standard form my Biodiesel Manufacturing Plant can process a batch of 100 litres of waste vege oil to make 95-100 litres of biodiesel in 12 hrs.  Operator time is 30-60 minutes, most of the time is settling time.
My Plants can be modified to process 3 or 4 x 200 litre batches per day making up to 800 litres per day, and doing the washing in a separate 2000 litre wash tank the following day (while processing the next 800 litres).

Below are some common questions/answers from a recent TRADEME auction:

So, with this kit I could get old chip oil, vege oil, frying oil etc and simply put in the top. Do I need to add some additives etc? Do I need to blend it with normal diesel? Do I need to change my engine (1989 Toyota Surf Diesel)  posted by: oo00kiwi00oo (11 )  12:50 pm, Mon 15 Oct
Yes, this Plant can convert used vege oil to BIODIESEL that you can put into your tank and drive away. You can use it 100% or blend it in any ratio with regular diesel from the pump (eg BP, Caltex, Mobil etc). The chemicals used in the process, described in detail in my wee booklet, are methanol and caustic soda. Both are readily available and regularly advertised on Trademe. Your engine etc should run fine on biodiesel. Thanks for the question. Cheers ..... Peter 2:15 pm, Mon 15 Oct
Thanks for the answer. I'm keen. Do you keep listing? I'm going to talk to a few friends see if they want to do this together - so will miss the cut off for this listing  posted by: oo00kiwi00oo (11 )  2:20 pm, Mon 15 Oct
Good idea. Yes, I do relist regularly. I will be releasing a new design of Plant before Christmas and the price will be about the same. I think I build/sell more Biodiesel Plants than anyone else in NZ and there has not been a major redesign in the past 2 years so it is about time. The new model will be more compact making it easier to ship up to island nations in the Pacific where there is a growing demand. Suggest you contact me as soon as you receive your booklet. Cheers ...... Peter 2:32 pm, Mon 15 Oct
Hi! How long is the process time for a 100 litre batch? Cheers Dennis  posted by: wheels10 (39 )  7:40 pm, Mon 15 Oct
Total time is about 12 hours, with most of this time being waiting for settling to take place. Settling is required to separate waste product after the initial reaction, and then to separate out dirty wash water after washing. Some manage with much shorter times. If a mistake is made settling can take longer. Thanks for the question. Cheers ..... Peter 7:55 pm, Mon 15 Oct
why water wash it when overseas new technology uses Magnadon which cleans the bio much better   posted by: mike442 (7 )  9:04 pm, Tue 16 Oct
Assume you mean Magnesol but please correct me if I'm wrong. Lots of reasons NOT to use it eg have to buy it, disposal problem, more energy used in wash process, added complexity. Water washing is perfectly OK if it is done properly. Buyers of my Plants get ongoing assistance, and if they follow the process carefully all will be OK. I have heard of one person using unwashed biodiesel with no problems - that seems risky to me. Thanks for the Q. Cheers ..... Peter 9:37 am, Wed 17 Oct

 

BIODIESEL MANUFACTURING PLANT - NEW

$NZ4500.00 (incl GST)

You could put one of these self-contained Plants in your garage and use it as a step towards self-sufficiency.

Key features include:
*** The unique Methoxide mixer barrel - the white 25 litre container (FDA rated for methanol) on the right side is where the caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) is combined with the methanol. The unique oscillatory action of this vessel promotes the reaction between the chemicals and is controlled by a preprogrammed microprocessor.
*** The cone at the lower part of the (green) reaction vessel has a 40 litre capacity and is useful for getting good separation of waste products.  This vessel is polyethylene rated for diesel.

High Capacity: Converts up to 120 litres of new or used vegetable oil into BIODIESEL (also called Biofuel or Bio Diesel or Bio Fuel).

Faster reaction: A heater can be fitted as an optional extra for $395 and can speed up the reaction process in some cases. For the $395 you get a heating element, the mounting attachment, an electronic thermometer and an RCD safety device.

Extremely Economical: This Plant can actually PAY FOR ITSELF IN FUEL SAVINGS very quickly - that is important. Polyethylene synthetic materials are used wherever practical because they are easily maintained, and commonly used to store both vegetable oil and methanol.

NZ Designed and Built: Designed and built here in NZ by a professional engineer. Plants are his design, his welding, his painting, and he tests them Complete instructions and email/phone support.

Compact Outside Dimensions: Length 1.2m, Depth 0.8m, Height 1.9m. Weight (empty): 105Kgs

Innovative features included in this new item of equipment are covered in patent applications

CAN I HELP YOU BUILD ONE? 

 If you are considering making BIODIESEL please contact Peter.  His email address is: batpro@clear.net.nz

and you can phone him on 027-8558-140

 

Last Revised: 29 May 2011 04:25 PM

 


 

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