Quote:
Originally Posted by Beobee
I've been researching to find as many answers as possible to decide which way to go on fuel. My concern has been lubricity and engine wear. The most extensive trials that I came across concerned palm oil.
Palm Oil as a Fuel for Agricultural Diesel Engines
There was a noticeable effect on the rings. Has anyone come up with info like this on other alternatives? How about Tall Oil? It's cheap. |
Tall oil will require some modifications to the transesterfication process to be turned into biodiesel, but it can be done.
The NRL and DOE did many studies on biodiesel. One that sticks in my mind is that a 1% addition of biodiesel to ULSD increased the lubricity of the fuel by 65%, so it's a good thing in any book.
Millions of miles and hours have been done in testing biodiesel in engines. With a higher cetane rating than ULSD, diesels will run quieter. While there won't be enough oil (until someone really gets going with algae) for all the diesel needs of say North America, it is a step in the right direction for renewable energy.
I make my biodiesel from waste veggie oil that would otherwise be going into dog food or the dump. The glycerin by product is turned into some of the best soap you've ever used.
