A number of recent events and discussions along with my own plans have led me to put my thoughts down.
Vegetable oil fuels The choice of what vegetable oil fuel to use/promote/produce. As I see it each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Bio diesel Well researched and developed fuel in widespread use. Will run in any diesel engine. Possible problems reported: Filter blocking in early use due to the cleaning effect on the fuel tank, whereby the biodiesel lifts dirt from the tank that was left undisturbed by the diesel fuel The fuel eats at rubber components in the fuel system causing possible leaks/malfunction. Possible components can include fuel lines, seal on filters and injector pumps (even internal IP components) Extreme cold weather fuel gelling. As with diesel fuel but at higher temperatures. Additives can be utilised to reduce the gel point. Fuel heating devices can be utilised SVO/WVO Good multifuel engines exist that will run SVO/WVO. Elsbett have to be the world leaders with these technologies. They no longer offer their multifuel engine but can convert other engines. Mainly IDI engines although some TDI engines are converted. DIY kits are available for IDI engines, DIY IDI kits will be available soon (for give the acronyms) Possible problems reported: With a good multifuel equipped engine only cold weather fuel gelling addition of diesel fuel up to 20% recommended (maybe bio-d) Fuel Blends / Microemulsions Less research. Will run in any diesel engine. Here I'm talking SVO with (preferably bio) alcohols and other (pref bio) additives. I do have some more info on these that I plan to add to the report at www.vegburner.co.uk/report. More info in the public domain (on the web?) would be good. Possible reported problems: Alcohol in fuel blends can damage unsuitable plastics/resins in fuel system. Cold weather fuel gelling. Additives can be utilised to reduce the gel point. Fuel heating devices can be utilised. So as has been said before (although blends/microemulsions are not often discussed) each fuel has it's own pros and cons and in turn each could be suited to an individual application. Blends/microemulsions could well be a potential solution or part solution in some situations. More information would help to asses potential. A recent IP failure due to a sensor being damaged most probably by the alcohol within the fuel is one of the few 'real life' 'bad' experiences I am aware of, although reported usage is low (if diesel/SVO blends are discounted). A (very)good fuel producer would identify engines, in which, the fuel was unsuitable, or make sure the user was aware of this potential problem. The same as should be done by biodiesel producers/distributors, although despite biodiesels widespread use I am unaware of any specific details of lists of rubber parts which need replacing on -this- model of vehicle, due to growing usage vehicle manufacturers are specifying accepted biodiesel/diesel blend levels with new European vehicles The possible effect on consumers of these 'problems' with biodiesel/blends always makes me think of the introduction of unleaded petrol (gasoline) in the UK. Fuel stations had lists of common vehicles and their suitability. Mechanics often modified (and still do) engines to allow the use, if I remember correctly anything from a change of spark plugs to a new head. Consumers were often ready to pay out for this work to allow their vehicle to be run on this slightly cheaper, more environmentally friendly fuel. Sometimes it was no doubt economics other cases environmental concerns. If the taxation of biofuels can be made to reflect their large benefits, I think consumer acceptance would be widespread (even if there were additional costs) without fuel price benefits I think acceptance would also be quite impressive. SVO/WVO (in multifuel equipped engines) is no doubt the way to go (I feel a song coming along there) where possible. Elsbetts' (and others) work needs encouraging, studying and building upon. Short to mid term biodiesel and, potentially, blends are usable in existing engines with little or no modification and will (are) play(ing) a very big part in biofuel development. Darren Hill www.vegburner.co.uk Biofuels at Journey to Forever http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuel at WebConX http://webconx.green-trust.org/2000/biofuel/biofuel.htm List messages are archived at the Info-Archive at NNYTech: http://archive.nnytech.net/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
