Heating and Keeping Biodiesel warm for the winter

[tucker0104]

Just wondering how everyone kept their biodiesel warm in the winter. I know there is coolant diversion kits and electric fuel line heaters. How do people warm up their fuel tanks during the winter?

[kahmann]

What part of the country do you live in?
I'm in Northern California and it typically doesn't get much colder than the low 30's. With those temps, it's not necessary to heat bio unless you're running close to B100. If I ever found it necessary for my truck, however, I'd go with an electric heater.
At work, I've got a couple of industrial diesel engines that run best with a warmer fuel mixture. We've got a 2000 gallon tank of B60 that we heat with a water to fuel heat exchanger, which would work similarly in a vehicle with a coolant to fuel heat-ex. It heats the fuel to 165*F and works extremely well. However, if the heat-ex fails, we could have water in our fuel supply and vice versa.

[tucker0104]

I am in north carolina. We have a couple cold days toward the end of january and most of february. I plan on running B100 so it will need to be heated.

[E'sStrokr01]

Tucker you've been PM'ed.

[vegginpsd]

Originally Posted by tucker0104

I am in north carolina. We have a couple cold days toward the end of january and most of february. I plan on running B100 so it will need to be heated.

I would be considering B80 when it is cool.

At least then you dont have to do a two tank set up.


I run b100 year around, form 100*F in summer to -30*F in the winter. The system is very heavily modified to run B100. I used to run WVO, and now just limit the coolant flow for B100. Full flow coolant in winter, shut off in the summer.

[tucker0104]

I already have two tanks on my truck so it would work out perfectly. Heat one with biodiesel and just make sure to start and stop with regular diesel.

[vegginpsd]

Originally Posted by tucker0104

I already have two tanks on my truck so it would work out perfectly. Heat one with biodiesel and just make sure to start and stop with regular diesel.

The lines and filter are far more important to keep warm in cool weather. The tank should at the end of the coolant loop.

Note: Heat and biodiesel makes for a good solvent. That may complicate things if you plan to use a midship tank. I am guessing at your tank configutation, as you had not mentioned that important information.

[simone0414]

Many running bio use small % of RUG to prevent gelling. I know many guys don't like running gas in their diesel but I think small amounts (5-10%) will not hurt anything. Mixing in D2 or Kero will help as well.