Archive for the 'Alternative Fuels' Category

Biodiesel Fuel

Published
by
admin
on August 15, 2008
in Alternative Fuels, Bio-Diesel and Renewable Energy
. 0 Comments

Biodiesel has been used as a fuel increasingly over the past years on account of oil crisis and high prices of the conventional fuel. Blends of Biodiesel and conventional hydrocarbon-based diesel are products most commonly distributed for use in the retail diesel fuel marketplace. A labeling convention involving “B” factor is used to state the amount of Biodiesel in any fuel mix.

For instance, fuel containing 30% Biodiesel is labeled B30, while the pure Biodiesel is always referred to as B100. B99 is commonly seen, because 1% petrodiesel is sufficiently toxic to retard mold. Blends of 20 percent Biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form, but may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems.

Mixing of pure Biodiesel with petrodiesel may be accomplished by in-line mixing wherein two components arrive at tanker truck simultaneously or by mixing in tanks at manufacturing point prior to delivery to tanker truck.

The Biodiesel has calorific value of about 33 MJ/L which is 9% lower than regular petrodiesel. Moreover the variations in Biodiesel energy density are more dependent on the feedstock used than the production process. It has been claimed Biodiesel gives better lubricity and more complete combustion thus increasing the engine energy output and partially compensating for the higher energy density of petrodiesel.

The color of Biodiesel varies between golden and dark brown, depending on the production feedstock. It is immiscible with water, having a high boiling point and low vapor pressure.

Biodiesel is known to have better lubricating properties than the other currently available low viscosity diesel fuels. Addition of Biodiesel reduces engine wear increasing the life of the fuel injection equipment that relies on the fuel for its lubrication, such as high pressure injection pumps, pump injectors and fuel injectors.

Biodiesel can also be used as a heating fuel in domestic and commercial boilers, sometimes known as bioheat. Older furnaces may contain rubber parts that would be affected by Biodiesel’s solvent properties, but can otherwise burn Biodiesel without any conversion required.

The usage and production of Biodiesel are increasing rapidly. Fueling stations make Biodiesel readily available to consumers across UK, Europe, and increasingly in the USA and Canada. A growing number of transport fleets use it as an additive in their fuel and surprisingly in some countries; Biodiesel is less expensive than conventional diesel.

Approximately 85% of Biodiesel production comes from the European Union as the Global Biodiesel production reached 3.8 million tons in the year 2005.
It is suggested that waste vegetable oil is the best source of oil to produce Biodiesel, but the available supply is drastically less than the amount of petroleum-based fuel that is burned for transportation and home heating in the world.

Biodiesel has been popularly used in running the older models of Mercedes Benz and in due course usage of Biodiesel as a regular replacement to the conventional fossil fuels would most certainly revolutionize the world.

Biodiesel Kit

Published
by
admin
on August 15, 2008
in Alternative Fuels, Bio-Diesel and Renewable Energy
. 0 Comments

Bio-fuels are the latest alternatives to the conventional fossil fuels. Everyone is aware of the problems associated with the traditional petroleum based fuels and we all know about how expensive it is. Biodiesel is an alternative that can save your money big time and also help in keeping the environment unpolluted.

It’s about time you change the habit of spending all your money on filling gas for your car. Biodiesel can be made by using a Biodiesel kit.

Biodiesel kit is the required equipment for Bio-diesel production so as to use Biodiesel as an alternative source of energy for home consumption. You can use the kit to make your own Biodiesel, by means of an easy, safe and non-harmful process, or buy the full Bio diesel kit as well.

With fuel prices all over the place and your wallet getting emptier with every fill up, no wonder how quickly Biodiesel is getting incredibly famous. Moreover it gives you the capability to make it at home, which just makes the idea even better, no longer leaving you at the mercy of the big oil companies.

Biodiesel kit processor comes in several sizes and scales and therefore has wide price range. Before you think of buying a Biodiesel processor kit, you should check your needs, your required quantity and the frequency of usage.

For making Biodiesel on your own, you would need the Biodiesel kit, water, methanol and vegetable oil. Your can set up your kit anywhere anytime. Mostly people prefer to do it outside in a covered spot like a garage.

There are different choices in a Biodiesel kit. You should look for the one that will suit your needs in the best possible manner. These Biodiesel kits are absolute fun, although one of the main factors is the obnoxious odour it produces. A closed system will give off no odours but will cost more to purchase.

Biodiesel kits are becoming very popular, especially with people who are just using Biodiesel exclusively for all the purposes. People who have large amounts of used vegetable oil at their disposal take deeper interests in purchasing these kits. It takes longer to make Biodiesel using used oil rather than fresh oil. However it can be done either way without affecting the outcome.

The major reason that many people consider for buying a Biodiesel kit is its safety. The built in safety elements in a Bio-diesel kit are very handy. But make no mistakes in understanding that, it is a valid option to build the kit yourself.

Although while doing so, do ensure that you follow the detailed instructions from a reliable resource and avoid any accidents which could result in any disasters.

So try to keep the process of making Biodiesel safe and have fun making it with your hands sitting lavishly at home and it doesn’t really matter whichever way may you opt to do so. Save good bye to all your gas expenses and say hello to the greener world with the highly economic and green Biodiesel!

Fuel Gas

Published
by
admin
on August 15, 2008
in Alternative Fuels and Renewable Energy
. 0 Comments

Fuel gas is a common term which refers to any of several gases such as methane ethane propane butane and the higher compounds, which are burnt to produce thermal energy.

Methane popularly known as natural gas is the most common fuel gas, while others also include Town gas, Syngas, liquified petroleum gas, Wood gas, Producer gas and Water gas.

In scientific terms, fuel gas is defined as a gaseous substance that burns in air and releases enough heat so as to be used as a fuel, while also remaining sufficiently stable at ordinary temperatures to permit long-term storage without deterioration or any hazards.
These fuel gases are good alternatives for domestic purposes such as cooking, while the other possible alternative options include the use of biogas.

Coal gas is a flammable gaseous fuel made from coal, which is popularly known as ‘Town gas’ referring to the manufactured gaseous fuels produced for sale to consumers and municipalities.

Depending upon the processes used for its creation, coal gas may be a mixture of many combustible gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane and volatile hydrocarbons, along with small amounts of non-calorific gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as impurities.

Coal gas has been extensively exploited in the 19th and early 20th Centuries for lighting, cooking and heating. Originally this is a by-product of the coking process. As development of fuel gas spread across all horizons, its byproducts, coal tars and ammonia, were considered an important chemical feedstock for the dye and chemical industry.

In past the coal gas plants were commonly referred to as the Manufactured Gas Plants or MGP’s by the environmental professionals.

Coal gas may be any of a variety of gases produced by heating coal in the absence of air and driving off the volatile constituents. But it is not as high in fuel value as other gases and often contains tars, light oils, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide

It is also known as manufactured gas, hygas, producer gas, and syngas (SNG), in few countries, which is supplied via a piped distribution system to the user.

Natural gas occurs alone and in conjunction with petroleum deposits, which is an excellent fuel gas in wide commercial use.

Liquefied petroleum gas is a manufactured mixture of flammable gases that is easily stored in its liquefied condition. This is processed and filled up inside the gas cylinders which are used by millions around the world as cooking gas.

Oil gas is a type of fuel gas manufactured by applying heat to various petroleum distillates. Its principal use is as a supplement to natural gas during periods of heavy demand.

The fuel gas finds many other applications in the industry too; for instance a whole rainbow of artificial dye colours can be made from coal gas and coal tar.

It is advantageous if a fuel gas is readily transportable through pipes and is easily liquefied. Practically all fuel gases meet the first condition, and some meet the second as well. Hydrogen may also be considered as a fuel gas in the future.

Biodiesel Conversion

Published
by
admin
on August 13, 2008
in Alternative Fuels and Bio-Diesel
. 0 Comments

Make Bio DieselBiodiesel is produced from the combination of alcohols such as methanol with vegetable oil, animal fat, or materials such as recycled cooking grease. It is used as an additive to reduce vehicle emissions and or as a renewable fuel for diesel engines in its pure form.

There are a number of critical issues coming up, forcing the people, in fact the entire nation to consider the usage of alternative fuel sources such as Biodiesel. Problems in the gulf region have also helped the cause of adding a sense of urgency to reduce the world’s dependency on oil. Biodiesel conversion is a viable option and a very popular one which does not involve any complications and is cent percent trouble-free.

Consequently a lot of research has gone into biodiesel conversion which gave positive results. This will probably lead to more companies jumping on the biodiesel bandwagon, bringing more investments into this type of energy source. The sooner we become less dependent on oil, the better it would be for the future.

Biodiesel in pure form produces significantly less emissions than petroleum diesel and zero sulfur emissions.

Biodiesel comes from renewable plant sources, such as oils from vegetables, soy beans, or some grains which are domestically and abundantly available.

Precisely biodiesel conversion refers to the process of subjecting the plant-derived diesel to the process of trans-esterification, which performs chemical modification of ordinary vegetable oil. The conversion helps the fuel to meet high industry standards for usage in diesel engines also prevents it from solidifying at colder temperatures.

The process of biodiesel conversion greatly helps, as it highly increases the quality attributes of the crude diesel and makes it commercially usable, providing a cost effective alternative to the conventional petroleum based products and other fossil fuels.

Commercially, many a times biodiesel is sold under the same name even after mixing it with petroleum diesel in different proportions, although the biodiesel content may be as low as only 5%. Biodiesel and petroleum diesel mix extremely well and commercially available blends use labeling conventions to describe its percentage to regular diesel. The resulting combination has higher calorific value and hence provides greater efficiency when used as fuel.Bio Diesel Production

The researches are going on all over the world to minimize the cost of biodiesel conversion and hence good quality biodiesel production ultimately. This is a crucial time to start the usage of such alternatives because it’s a well known fact that at this rate, all the resources such as conventional diesel petroleum and oil would be exhausted within no time.

Moreover every one in general, understands the need for oil drilling and refining, till the option is available, but even then they are also very well aware of environmental risks of spillage and other disasters associated with it. The best possible alternative available for every one to counter the oil crisis today is usage of biodiesel which is obtained by the simple process of biodiesel conversion.

As biodiesel conversion gains greater popularity, you won’t be required to spend money for performing biodiesel conversion, but rather earn more money as savings, if biodiesel fuel provides a cheaper alternative to gasoline, revolutionizing the world.

Making Biodiesel at Home

Published
by
admin
on August 12, 2008
in Alternative Fuels and Bio-Diesel
. 1 Comment

Making biodiesel is a very simple process, if you can make barbeque sauce, you can surely make biodiesel at home

While the method of making biodiesel at home is perfectly safe, it is strongly recommended to read the biodiesel safety information before undertaking any activity involving chemicals at home. Improper use of the chemicals can be dangerous.

It is easily possible to make enough biodiesel at home in a safe, easy, professional manner for all your own needs. You can do this at a very competitive price as well. This will enable you to have enough biodiesel to run your cars, or even heat your home in the winter. There is no reason you can’t be saving money on your energy needs in a very short time.

The materials that you’ll need for making biodiesel at home include about a liter of clean vegetable oil, about 4 grams lye which is commonly called caustic soda and some methanol.

The important equipments that you’ll need for making biodiesel at home, would be a dry 2 liter plastic bottle, a funnel that fits the bottle above, a dry and a sealed container to mix the methanol and lye. It is important that it must be able to seal securely and tightly, to ensure that while turning this container upside-down, nothing should leak out.

You would also require measuring cup with metric to measure out the methanol, Plastic safety gloves, Plastic lab apron, Face shield or any other equipment eye protection.

To start making biodiesel at home, open the window, turn on the fan and maintain good ventilation. Measure 250 ml of room temperature methanol into a one pint mason jar.
Measure out 4gm of lye and add to the methanol in the jar screwing the lid down tightly to prevent any leaks. Now swirl the mixture by hand until all the lye is dissolved.

As you start mixing the temperature will increase, so don’t panic. This is what is supposed to happen and would take around 10 minutes or more.

Next, heat 1 Liter of unused clean vegetable oil to 60 degree Celsius. Now using a funnel, pour the oil into the dry plastic container. Be careful not to overheat the oil as it may melt the plastic.

Pour the mixture of methanol and lye on top of the oil using the same funnel. Make sure not to breathe the vapors as they are toxic.

Shake vigorously for about ten seconds or twenty seconds say about 30 times. Now put the bottle on a table and let it settle. In about 10 minutes or so, the oil will change color from a chocolate-coffee color to a rich, darker brown and the by-product will start to settle out and separate at the bottom. You should now be left with a bottle containing lighter amber-colored biodiesel on top and a layer of darker glycerin on the bottom.

At this stage, the biodiesel will be very cloudy and it will take a couple of days to clear completely. Put it in a cool, dark place to let that happen. Once it is completely settled, open the container draining the biodiesel out, leaving the darker layer behind.

The end result depends upon your expertise to do this; the mixture is technically ready to be used and is termed as biodiesel. As mentioned, making biodiesel at home is easy and highly cost effective.

Biodiesel Production Methods

Published
by
admin
on August 12, 2008
in Alternative Fuels and Bio-Diesel
. 0 Comments


There are many methods for biodiesel production. Some of them include the batch method, supercritical method, ultrasonic and the latest microwave method.

In the batch process of biodiesel production, catalyst is initially dissolved in the alcohol using a standard agitator. The alcohol catalyst mixture is then charged into a closed reaction vessel and the bio-lipid is added. Here after try to maintain a closed atmosphere to avoid any leakage. The reaction mix is kept just above the boiling point of the alcohol to speed up the reaction. The reactions take a long time then both the resultant biodiesel and by product glycerin are allowed to settle down. Once separated from the glycerin, the biodiesel is sometimes purified by washing gently with warm water to remove residual catalyst or soaps, dried, and sent to storage.

The next method of biodiesel production is the super critical method, which is a continuous catalyst-free process for trans-esterification using supercritical methanol at very high temperatures and pressures. In the supercritical state, the oil and methanol are in a single phase, and reaction occurs almost instantaneously. The process can tolerate water in the feedstock, as the free fatty acids are converted to methyl esters instead of soap, so a wide variety of feed stocks can be used, but energy costs of production are more or less similar to catalytic method.

The other methods include the Ultra Shear and High Shear biodiesel production method, which uses up to three sets of rotor and stator which converts mechanical energy to high tip speed, high shear stress and high shearing frequencies. The droplet size range is expected in the low micrometer until sub-micrometer range after one pass.
These Ultra and High Shear mixers are used for the pre-treatment of crude vegetable oil or animal fats, for the trans-esterification and water wash process such as improved de-gumming, improved refining. They also facilitate faster bleaching, batch Biodiesel conversion, continuous Biodiesel conversion, semi continuous Biodiesel conversion and continuous water wash process.

The ultra shear mixers are used to rapidly and intimately blend the acid or water, allowing a continuous trans-esterification process. The in-line or batch reactors allow production of biodiesel continuously, semi- continuously, and in batch-mode. This drastically reduces production time and increases production volume.

Incase of the ultrasonic reactor biodiesel production method, the ultrasonic waves cause the reaction mixture to produce and collapse bubbles constantly. The cavity simultaneously provides the mixing and heating required to carry out the trans-esterification process. Thus using an ultrasonic reactor for biodiesel production drastically reduces the reaction time, reaction temperatures, and energy input.

Hence the trans-esterification process can be run inline in this method, rather than using the time consuming batch processing. Industrial scale ultrasonic devices permit the industrial scale processing of several thousand barrels per day.

Presently research is being directed into using commercial microwave ovens for biodiesel production to provide the heat needed for the trans-esterification process. The microwaves are capable of providing very high temperatures. A non stop flow process producing 6 liters/minute at a 99% conversion rate has been innovated and proved to consume only 25% of the energy required as incase of batch process.

Although it is still in its development stage, the microwave method has undoubtedly great potential to be a highly efficient, cost effective method for the biodiesel production commercially!

All About Bio-Diesel

Published
by
admin
on July 27, 2008
in Alternative Fuels and Bio-Diesel
. 2 Comments

Biodiesel is a safe alternative fuel derived from the renewable resources and has the potential to replace the conventional fuels, consequently considered as the fuel of the future. Biodiesel does not contain petroleum, but can be mixed with other petroleum based fuels to produce a biodiesel blend that can be used in a variety of vehicles, although the pure biodiesel fuel, though, can only be used in diesel engines.

Biodiesel is completely biodegradable and non-toxic, making it so safe that even your over cooked barbeques can be proven more toxic!

Unlike vegetable oil Biodiesel provides a good alternative as a fuel, as the Biodiesel can be used in its original form in diesel engines. Vegetable oil fuels must be modified and used only in combustion- ignition engines. This makes biodiesel one of the easiest alternative fuels to use. In fact, it is a great option for use on farms in farm equipment.
Biodiesel fuel is made through a process called trans-esterification. This process involves removing the glycerin from the vegetable oil or fat. During the process byproducts are left behind, including methyl esters and glycerin.

Biodiesel is totally free from toxic substances like sulphur, phosphorus, lead, arsenic and other aromatics that can be found in traditional fuels.
The unique qualities of biodiesel make it different other alternative fuels. It has passed all the health effects testing requirements as well, which means it meets the standards of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.

Biodiesel is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a fuel that can be legally sold and distributed, unlike the other alternative fuels that cannot be legally sold as motor fuel because they do not meet the EPA’s fuel specifications.

The best thing about biodiesel fuel is it eco friendly and is not at all harmful to the environment like traditional fuels. Biodiesel is made from renewable resources which mean it is safe for the environment. It does not produce the high emissions like traditional fuels. Biodiesel does not cause harmful effects to the environment which may produce long lasting ill effects for the generations to come.

Even economically, Biodiesel is also good because unlike traditional fuels, the resources to make biodiesel come form within the country rather than from gulf nations or other places. It is made with products grown domestically without getting involved in politics with other countries. By using Biodiesel the country can become less dependent upon foreign countries for fuel supplies.

Biodiesel is an innovative fuel that is rapidly becoming easily available to the general public. It can be found around the country at particular places or it can be bought directly from producers. It costs a little more than traditional fuels at the current time because the demand is not as great. Those who make Biodiesel using waste oil feedstock make biodiesel for 50 cents to US$1 per US gallon, and about a pound per two gallons in the UK. However, as demand grows and every one realizes its benefits as a great biodegradable, renewable fuel source, the price will surely drop down.

What’s more, you can even make Biodiesel at home safely using a biodiesel kit and cut down your expenses greatly!

Be sure to Check out this Fantastic eBook…