Want to start brewing my own bio diesel, I'm just very affraid of hurting reliability.

[Sparkydm]

You apparently have this down pretty well. I live in
a regualr subdivision. Can I do this in the city without
neighbors complaining about any strange odors? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

[OMCUSNR]

Depends on the subdivision & local ordinances. Do you have a Homeowner's Association? Read your CC&R's and check with your neighbors to see if they'll have kittens. The two most hazardous materials to store are the KOH & Methanol. If your making small batches you won't have much of the methanol on site, but if you want to keep costs down & make some good sized batches, you'll need a 55g drum of a highly flammable liquid on site.

[Murphy2000]

If you are looking to make the most fuel with the least amount of time and physical space, get a biopro..

Check out www.murphysmachines.com for more info.

There are several types of processors available.. just make sure whatever you get or build is made of STEEL only.. no plastic.

While the above may seem like an advertisement, you should really ignore it.. (kind of)

What you should do is go here www.biodieselcommunity.org and learn to make a small batch so you know what's involved. Once you do that, you'll have a much better understanding of what to buy.

[fabricator01]

I know a couple guys who make bio in subdivisions but they are pretty nervous about it, if you have nosy neighbors I would think you may have trouble.

[taxmame]

Large garage on a large lot with neighbors that dont care. Its all inside so the only way someone would see it was if the broke into the garage and looked around.

Everything is vented through the roof with fans so by the time any fumes hit outside they are disapated pretty well.

[VD350]

Basically spend 30 minutes heating the oil (we use 1 water heater element in our 55 gal drum and a second as a back-up), spend 5 minutes titrating, put the lye in the methanol and stir it all up, then pour in. 1 hour and 15 minutes later add your 3 gallons of water, agitate for another 15 min and just bubble it till morning. In all reality you'll spend 30 minutes of your time making 40 gallons at a time in our case.

[Steve91T]

VegieDiesel, is your process different than others? Some say it takes 3 days, some say 5 hours. I still have quite a bit to learn.

What do you guys think of a fully automatic system like this?
http://www.sweethomebiofuel.com/

I talked to the guy today on the phone. They said all you do is put the stuff in their own tanks, push the green button, and 5 hours later you're ready to pump it into your fuel tank. Cost is $5500 for the 50 gal size, $6500 for the 100 gal.

That's a lot of money, but it is a tax write off and comes with a one year warranty. It would be nice to have such an easy system to use.

I figured it would take me at least 2 years to pay for itself.

Maybe I'll come across something that's still fairly easy, but doesn't cost so much.

[fabricator01]

It's up to you of course but like Murphy said, I would never use a plastic reactor(Think chemicals, heat, leaks) and I'm not gonna say the guy is lying but I think he is FOS.

[VD350]

I agree, stay away from plastic and methanol. We use a plastic tank but just for bubbling.

Same process as everyone else for the most part. 120* for 1hour and 15 minutes, add 3 gal of water and circulate for 15 minutes. Mist 3 or so gallons on top of the bio you just did wait 3 hours and bubble till morning.

The one day I forgot to do the 3hr BS and just let the stuff bubble like normal and it was some o the best lookin stuff I've made. i could see my truck shine through it [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]. Of all the methods we have tried, Bubble drying is by far the best.

And I believe you asked about the by product. We get about 12 gallons of glycerin/water off of the bio. The glycerin burns very nice or can be placed in a nice hole so it can return back to nature. After all were eco friendly people here right? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

[StorminNorman]

If you want a fully automated system get the Bio Pro. Eight grand is a chunk of change, but I love mine. I'll send you a PM, but they take up to a week to get thru. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

Norman

[Murphy2000]

[ QUOTE ]
VegieDiesel, is your process different than others? Some say it takes 3 days, some say 5 hours. I still have quite a bit to learn.

What do you guys think of a fully automatic system like this?
http://www.sweethomebiofuel.com/

I talked to the guy today on the phone. They said all you do is put the stuff in their own tanks, push the green button, and 5 hours later you're ready to pump it into your fuel tank. Cost is $5500 for the 50 gal size, $6500 for the 100 gal.

That's a lot of money, but it is a tax write off and comes with a one year warranty. It would be nice to have such an easy system to use.

I figured it would take me at least 2 years to pay for itself.

Maybe I'll come across something that's still fairly easy, but doesn't cost so much.

[/ QUOTE ]

Plastic tanks are dangerous and anyone who designs a system that uses them is just taking your money. That's why they use the plastic tank.. it cost to much to make it out of steel and they don't get their 190% profit margin. By going with a plastic tank, they get to sell you a $400 tank for $3000 or more.

Stick with a steel processor.. automated or not.

Check out www.utahbiodieselsupply.com for an all steel modular processor you can build yourself. (if you can weld)

[fabricator01]

Or check out www.murphysmachines.com [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]