Building a Business Case for Biodiesel

Biodiesel: in Sweden most experience with this prodiuct from canola oil. Combination Sweden/Swedish Landmannen/biodiesel/rape seed/canola on internet should give starting point.

As ever we need to define what we each mean by biodiesel.

In some countries the phrase is used for a mix of 95% mineral based diesel with 5% added from crop sources. While this is a start, we need to be looking at proper biodiesel where the fuel 95% is plant derived.

Note however that the cost of maize / corn on the world market has doubled as the demand for biofuel production has increased. This does not lead to a great improvement in the quality of life for those in poorer countries who eat corn / bread as a staple food - so consider where your feedstock comes from and what effect that production has on other issues.

In the UK the only reason (as far as I can see) for the 95% mineral/5% bio mix is that it is the highest ratio that does not affect the manufacturers' warranty on the engines.

There is a problem with earlier engines as they often have rubber hoses, which do not like bio-diesel. It has been said that later, common rail diesel engines don't run well but this isn't my experience.

I am lucky enough to have a producer of high quality oilseed rape biodiesel about 2 miles from me. I have a Citroen Synergie with an HDI engine, made in 2000, with 150,000 miles on the clock and I am running on 100% biodiesel. That's pure, not mixed with any mineral diesel.

The engine runs beautifully, very smooth and I do believe that I'm getting a little better fuel consumption than on mineral diesel. The price is 93p litre, same as mineral. It also has a rather lovely, sweet smell to it.

The great thing is that, because there are no engine mods. needed, I can use normal diesel if I'm away from home. I changed all the filters after about 1,000 miles but I don't think a little mineral would require an immediate filter renewal.

However, I haven't been near a petrol station in 2 months! It's still early days, my engine may drop out next week, but so far the only problem I've had is a little more difficulty starting on very cold mornings.

Cheers

Andrew

Well done, you are in the lucky position of being near a biodiesel plant. Have you studied what happens to the remainder of the rape plant? What effect has the local plant had on local prices of diesel or of rape?

Hugh, I'm afraid to say that I haven't followed it through yet. I'm just happy to be using something other than mineral diesel.

From talking to the suppliers, they realise that they will ultimately be victims of their own success. Once BP and Shell start wielding their buying power, there won't be any crops left for the small guys.

Until then, they are doing a great job.

Cheers

Andrew

Check out "Greasecar.com"

In the United States, the biggest source of the starting oil is soybeans. No one has talked about the waste glycerin which is produced. You need to find a market for this to have a chance of actually making a profit, I think.

If you look at the thread from the Global Spec plastics email:

http://globalspec.ip09.com/rd/9z1zp5ctv9532elp77o28a5fh9bg9b0aabpshg5uh3o

you will see that that angle is already being followed to produce industrial plastics.

So soon all the new technologies will come together to make the next wave of everyday products.

Another angle to look at makeing an alternate fuel is, everybody is so concerned with the added axpence of obtaining the alternate fuel. What do people think,gas just pops out of the ground and into the gas station tanks all by its self at no cost?