This is not a criticism, but I am wondering if anyone is interested in a more focused discussion of SVO/WVO.
I have learned a lot on this forum and know there are folks out there that are mainly interested in the WVO aspect of it. I wonder if anyone would be interested in a separate string that deals only with SVO/WVO. I would suggest that by starting the subject line SVO/WVO those that are not interested can slip right by. Of course many SVO ideas are useful to those that are of the Biodiesel persuasion as well. I also believe that using the SVO/WVO in the beginning of the subject line will aid those in any search process later. As a beginning I would like to suggest that we share our ideas of what a perfect SVO/WVO private/home operation and vehicle would be. The next step will be to share/brainstorm our experiences with it so far...for those with experience to share. I have found there is lots of info out there...but some of it is conflicting or difficult to understand and a good forum might be very useful not only to those thinking of trying SVO as a fuel but those that have already done so. I know I have learned a lot from my tinkering that I think would have saved a lot of time and money had I had the info to begin with. Ed...WVO/SVO is your bailiwick I know and I hope that you are enthusiastic about it. Steve..I hope you are entusiastic as well and that my sugesstion is OK with you. Of course I could be all wrong and just wasting my time..we will see. I will start the discussion...... The parameters for a "perfect" conversion (in my mind) would be: 1 Inexpensive...Pay for itself within 3 months in saved fuel costs. 2 Relatively simple to do. Within the ability of a do it your selfer and require no special tools. 3 Use "off the shelf"components. 4 Be "all climate" eg. useful at any temp. 5 Generally applicable to many vehicles. 6 Not cause premature engine failure. The first parameter requires that the cost of the fuel be as low as possible. So (again...in my opinion): a The raw stock would be Waste Vegetable Oil. b The filters would be reusable or very cheap. c The process heat source would be WVO. d The process components should be inexpensive. In addition : e It would produce a minimum of 40 gallons per week. f A minimum of space would be required. g It would be portable. h It would be automated as much as possible. I It would produce a minimum of "waste" byproducts. and as with the vehicle conversion. j It should be simple to do. Within the ability of a do it your selfer and require no special tools. k It should be assembled from easily available "off the shelf" components. There...that's a start. Anyone interested or have something to add. I am sure I have overlooked something. If we go about this in an orderly manner it should prove very useful to others that follow...just as the Biofuels forum does in total...but with a more specific subject. Just as an aside.. My own setup uses WVO that I collect from a single source (oriental buffet) twice a week in the 35 pound containers it is delivered to them in. This saves me having to pay for storage containers as they just stack up nicely on one another. (I am thinking of going to 55 gal drums to simplify the whole thing. They are cheap but then I would have to change my mode of collection (can't just lift a 55 gal drum and stick it in the trunk.) I allow it to settle for a few weeks then drain it into a 55 gal drum carefully leaving the majority of "dreck" in the jugs. The jugs are either crushed and disposed of or cleaned to use for filtered WVO storage later. The settled WVO in the drum is then heated using a simple wick type WVO burner I designed...just a big oil powered candle really. I heat to about 180* F but have avoided using any WVO that contains water as that might necessitate dewatering. The heated WVO is then placed in an insulated box and is pulled through three filters (a felt filter, a 15 micron fuel delivery filter, and a 5 micron "paper" filter) into another 55 gal drum using a vacuum created with scavenged refrigerator compressor. A backflush circuit allows me to clean what accumulates on the filters off (with a small amount of gasoline) quickly and easily without removing them. This also allows me to use the same filters over so I don't have that recurring expense. The felt filter seems to collect solid wax,food bits,and fat but the majority of particles seem to collect on the 15 micron element. The 5 micron element seems to be mostly there for peace of mind as I believe that most diesel engine filters only go to 10-15 microns. The filtered oil is then either pumped into my vehicle or empty/clean 35# jugs for storage. The vehicle I use is a 1988 Ford F250 with the 7.3 International engine. It is out of service right now as it blew a head gasket...unrelated to the WVO/SVO use I think...and I have negotiated with the local Vocational Technical School Diesel Mechanic Instructor to do a "top end" overhaul as a class project. They will also take pictures to set a baseline of a clean cylinder/piston/injector/combustion chamber and plan on following through with an annual teardown and inspection to see what the effects of SVO is on the engine. From what I see on this forum and others the main problem associated with SVO use in diesels is accumulations on the injectors, valves, and piston ring grooves...but this may be minimized I understand by adequately preheating the SVO to reduce its' viscosity, using only SVO that has had the Acreolin (sp?) "removed, and starting and shutting down the engine on diesel/biodiesel. I also understand that light loads and excessive idling might be contributory factors to carbon/acreolien accumulations and that indirect injection diesels (as opposed to direct injectio) are less prone to this. Looking at the formal studies done on SVO I wonder if a hotter thermostat might not also help with reducing/preventing deposits? I suppose I will find out if I have deposits after the teardown is done on my 7.3 next year. I decided to use the F250 because I needed a "heavy hauler" and they are extremely available in the US as a used vehicle. The 7.3 diesel engine is a indirect injection design which was essentially the same from 1986 to 1994 and is as such well tested by use. It also seems to be a fairly simple conversion and allows one to bring along over 4000 miles worth of SVO if one wishes to take an extended trip sans fuel stations. With a manual transmission I was getting about 20 mpg highway and 15 mpg around town. Since the fuel costs me around 5 cents per gallon and was going in the trash before I started collecting it I don't feel guilty when I use it instead of my more efficient auto. I am however unhappy with the conversion and am planning on "reconverting" while it is out of commission. The original conversion cost me about $250US and 10 hrs. I believe that I made several fundamental mistakes when I originally converted it that I need to rectify and while I am at it I think I have several refinements that I also want to install for testing. I am hoping that others that have SVO conversions will contribute to what I already (think) I know prior to tearing into it so a re/reconversion is not necessary. Anyone???? Feel free to set me strai if your info is different. This has gotten to be a rather longer post than I had originally intended. I hope others are interested in the WVO/SVO string and am more than willing to share the rest of the info. and experiences I have with others with the hope a collaboration via this forum is mutually beneficial to all. Dana Linscott MN/USA __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Tiny Wireless Camera under $80! Order Now! FREE VCR Commander! 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