... Can I run a generator using biodiesel fuel?
Can you
do so? Yes.
Would I do
so? Yes.
I would do so
for a generator running prime power or one that has longer
duty cycle. If you are considering biodiesel be sure to also consider
cogeneration. At best a diesel generator
converts 35% of available BTU to electricity and the remainder are emitted as heat.
This heat can be harnessed and used profitably.
Because long
term storage is an issue for biodiesel I would avoid biodiesel for a generator
that is rarely used.
Some manufacturers of diesel generator
engines may void their warranty or may not cover specific components such as
seals, injectors and other components. You may be wise to wait until your
warranty coverage has expired.
There
are many issues involved. Please read on and follow the links at the left of this
page for both pros and cons of powering with biodiesel.
Biodiesel -a more formal definition
Biodiesel fuels are methyl or ethyl esters derived from a broad variety of
renewable sources such as vegetable cooking oil and animal fat. Esters are
oxygenated organic compounds that can be used in compression ignition (diesel) engines
because some of their key properties are comparable to those of diesel fuel.
Biodiesel is produced through a process in which organically derived oils are
combined with alcohol (ethanol or methanol) in the presence of a catalyst to
form ethyl or methyl ester. Biodiesel can be made from soybean or Canola oils,
animal fats, waste vegetable oils or micro algae oils.
Do not confuse biodiesel with biofuels. Biofuels are made from cellulose
biomass resources. Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel and methanol.
A more down-to-earth definition for most of us :
Biodiesel is made from fresh or waste vegetable oils (triglycerides) that are a
renewable energy source. Biodiesel is an environmentally safe, low polluting
fuel which can be used in most diesel internal combustion and turbine engines.
Biodiesel can be mixed with petroleum diesel fuel and stored anywhere petroleum is
stored. Biodiesel is relatively safe and easy to process when conscientiously
approached. Benefits are substantially reduced engine emissions, even with a
blend of 20% Biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel.
Warranty
Issues"
"Use of
biodiesel does not void a vehicles warranty; this is prohibited by the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in the US. (Canada has no such act in place
that I am aware of. However, read on! This information applies to you.)
Manufacturers recommendations for certain percentage blends of biodiesel are
just that, recommendations.
Diesel engine
companies warranty the product they make. They warranty their engines for
“materials and workmanship.” If there is a problem with an engine part or with
engine operation due to an error in manufacturing or assembly within the
warranty period, the problem should be covered by the engine company. Typically,
an engine company will define what fuel the engine was designed for and will
recommend the use of that fuel to their customers in their owner's manuals.
Engine companies do not warranty fuel - whether that fuel is biodiesel or
petro-diesel fuel.
If there are
engine problems caused by a fuel, these problems are not related to the
materials or workmanship of the engine, but are the responsibility of the fuel
supplier and not the engine manufacturer. Concerned biodiesel users should
consult their warranty statement. "
When I change to Biodiesel, what else should I keep in mind when I switch
over?
Biodiesel, over time, will
soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds used
in older fuel hoses and pump seal systems. Precautions are needed when using
high percent blends to ensure that the existing fuelling system on older engines
do not contain elastomer compounds incompatible with Biodiesel. Manufacturers
recommend that natural or butyl rubbers not be allowed to come in contact with
neat Biodiesel, otherwise they turn sticky and fall apart. Most engines made
after 1994 will have fully synthetic fuel lines and seals so will not suffer
from this problem, but older engines need to be monitored.
Biodiesel will clean your
injectors and fuel lines extremely well as it is an excellent solvent. If you
have an old diesel engine, there is a chance that your first tank or two of
Biodiesel could free up all the accumulated crud that clogs your fuel lines. For
first time bunkering you need to be aware that Biodiesel has a solvent effect
which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous
fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions
should be taken as the tanks are cleaned out by the Biodiesel.
Biodiesel has a higher gel
point. 100% Biodiesel, referred to as B100, gets slushy at O°C (32°F). A blend
of 20% Biodiesel, 80% regular diesel, B20, has a gel point of -14°C (7°F). Like
regular diesel, the gel point can be lowered further with additives such as
kerosene, which are blended into winter diesel fuel in cold-weather areas.
The shelf life of biodiesel
most commonly quoted is six months, after which time the fuel should be
re-tested. If you are keeping biodiesel in translucent containers for long
periods, it is a good idea to put a tarpaulin over the container/s to keep the
light out.
How is Biodiesel made?
Biodiesel fuels are produced by a process called transesterification, in which
various oils (triglycerides) are converted into methyl esters through a chemical
reaction with methanol in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium or
potassium hydroxide. The by-products of this chemical reaction are glycerols and
water, both of which are undesirable and need to be removed from the fuel along
with traces of the methanol, un-reacted triglycerides and catalyst. Biodiesel
fuels naturally contain oxygen, which must be stabilized to avoid storage
problems.
There
are many recipes and techniques published on the web describing how to make
biodiesel. Essentially the process is one of removing the glycerine from the
vegetable oil and replacing it with alcohol.
Biodiesel LINKS
Making
Biodiesel
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/
http://www.greenfuels.org/bioindex.html
http://www.webconx.com/making_biodiesel.htm
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html
General Biodiesel
information:
http://www.biodiesel-canada.org/
Canadian
Renewable Fuels Association
http://www.federalsustainability.org/initiatives/biodiesel.htm
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/bubblewashingbiodiesel/
Other resources and
discussion groups :
http://www.egroups.com/group/Biodiesel/
http://biodiesel.tribe.net/
Articles and in-the-news"
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/cars/biodiesel/
http://www.mirabilis.ca/archives/000531.html
DISCLAIMER:
This information is provided only as a service to our customers, for general
education and to assist our customers to be able to make their own decision.
If your biodiesel comes from your local fuel distributor ask them for more
information. Enviroharvest are not expert
in various fuel types and biodiesel compositions. We
at Enviroharvest recommend using ONLY standard or agricultural grade
Diesel #2 within your generator set, and assume NO responsibility or liability
of any type resulting from any decision you might make to use any fuel other
than standard or agricultural grade Diesel #2 within your diesel generator set.
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