Bio Mixing

[sgg93]

The university I'm currently attending (Appalachian State) has a biodiesel production facility on campus. As it turns out, I can buy bio from them for a "donation" (at cost, roughly $1 a gal). It gets chilly here in Boone in the winter, but I was wondering if it would work to run the bio 50/50 with dino diesel, and add white bottle Power Service to the mix to prevent gelling. I've already replaced all of the fuel lines in the valley (I have a 94.5 PSD). The bio they make is evidently pretty good, and they make enough of it to supply all of the city busses for the city of Boone. The diesel trucks that the university operates run on it as well.

[vegginpsd]

Do some testing.

Get a gallon and some small containers. Mix 20%, 30%, 40%, etc.

Put in fridge or freezer and you will quickly figure out where the point of gel occurs.

[sgg93]

I guess I ought to go for a gel point somewhere below 0. Who knows, it might not gel at all with the additive in it. If this is the case, and it just doesn't gel, is there any disadvantage to running it in the winter?

[vegginpsd]

Originally Posted by sgg93

I guess I ought to go for a gel point somewhere below 0. Who knows, it might not gel at all with the additive in it. If this is the case, and it just doesn't gel, is there any disadvantage to running it in the winter?

My guess is that you would be somewhere around B10 to get to 0*F.

At that point, any benefit of the biodiesel is gone.

[Toms01PSD]

Biodiesel Center of NC makes theirs to B20. Delivering some grease up there tomorrow for them to play with.

[sgg93]

Is there any other way to prevent it from gelling? It seems pointless to try and run bio in the winter if you have to mix it with diesel at a 9:1 ratio.

[vegginpsd]

Originally Posted by sgg93

Is there any other way to prevent it from gelling? It seems pointless to try and run bio in the winter if you have to mix it with diesel at a 9:1 ratio.

Yes! HEAT!

I run a two tank system. The second tanks are heated in the VW and my two PSD's.

A coolant heat exchanger in the tank, along with a 110/12V transformer used in conjunction with a 12V circulation pump, and your are good at any temp.

I have run B100 at -30*F, and routinely at temps below 0*F. Have for years.