[biofuel] Bashing biodiesel (esp. homebrew) online
I've just had this thread brought to my attention on thedieselpage.com. There looks to be a lot of people over there bashing biodiesel as holding too much water and potentially destroying the high pressure injection systems on the Chevrolet duramax diesel. They are being especially harsh on homebrew and on fuel made from waste oil. One or two of the people who are defending biodiesel in general sound like they are talking the NBB line about homebrewers and waste oil causing quality problems and suggesting everyone stay away from it. I don't yet have the experience or the hard numbers to defend biodiesel, but I'm sure more than one person on here does. Here's the link: http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=007240 Thanks, Ryan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~-- Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70 http://us.click.yahoo.com/Z1wmxD/DREIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM ~- Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ * 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/
RE: [biofuel] Video or Sound File of a Biofuel Making Class
I have the skill and equipment to produce a video. It won't look Hollywood and would be very basic, but I can definitely do it. I will also be able to create a limited number of DVDs and provide a high and low bandwidth version to be posted online. I've emailed Mark but haven't heard back from her yet. I hope that's just because she's been busy. The one problem is that I'm in Kansas City, Missouri and can't afford to travel out West. I'd only be able to do this if she was really going to be in the Midwest this summer. Ryan -Original Message- From: murdoch [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 1:09 PM To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [biofuel] Video or Sound File of a Biofuel Making Class Last week in Albuquerque my friends and I built a system (and made liter batches and a fullsize batch of fuel)- and someone made a bad-quality home video of the process. it's too low-quality to edit into something presentable for public use, but watching it made me realize that a video of one of the classes would be a good tool for the public. It'd be good if it were possible to make it available on the internet, though I'm not sure what this takes in terms of bandwidth or other downloading issues. While you were away, there was some further brainstorming about this in the groups, and some debate over DVD, VHS, etc. But my thought was that while that tech talk is often interesting, it got away a little from the point. I don't have experience with video, but have been doing amateur digital still photography for awhile now. My guess (not that educated, but slightly) is that, particularly since I'm not an expert, I try to err on the side of shooting in the highest possible resolution available to me. Not just a matter of getting an expensive camera, but also one strongly affected by lighting (outdoor makes my life easier with my cheap digi-cams), the experience of the person shooting, their familiarity with their camera-equipment, whether they've taken an extra bit of time to prepare, etc. Could this be done successfully perhaps in one of your classes put forth in a city with one or two fans, or class-attendees, who might be willing to trade you a video shoot (and edit) for the class fee for x number of people? Maybe some money would have to change hands. I don't know video and its costs. With still photography, once you shoot in your high res camera, if you are not incompetent, you can edit down to a much smaller downloadable-friendly file that most people can live with the compromises in quality. I prefer to try to edit down from a high res file, because if you start with a low-res file and don't like it, there's not much you can do about it. For video, this might be harder or impossible, depending on the length of the file. If, for the sake of discussion, you shoot two full days of classes (I don't see why not), say 16 hours of classes that you want to make available to people to download, the only way I can see this is if they were shrunk down to a very very small screen size and low resolution, with reasonable resolution for the sound side, and then the folks might be able to squeeze it on to a computer. If you were to edit for highlights, say making your file anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, then of course your file size would shrink and you might even be able to provide higher quality. You could also provide a link to a point-and-click way or folks to order the video on DVDs or VHS. All of this is a ton of work, I think. If you want to avoid every last bit of headache (I certainly would), but wouldn't mind seeing the video get made, maybe a video-making profit-oriented person could be incentivized to do it all for you, without much hassle-to-you, and then just send you your part of the royalties. They could make some video downloadable for free (and you could write this into your agreement, to ensure that not too much is held back as they try to calculate what to charge for and not charge for), but cripple it enough to make it somewhat desireable to pay the whole shebang for a DVD or VHS covering things in greater depth. You could also record just sound, which would not require all these problems and could easily be done. I just think it's a bit hard to get an idea of things with just sound. It might be easier to record video and then separate out the sound file and a few low-res still photos. As far as what Murdoch says about it potentially causing a drop in attendance at my workshops, I don't think that's a concern at all (and it would be fine if it did anyway, I'm not doing this to make money). The main problem for me is just the time involved in putting together a quality video sometime, and the large amount of work that goes into editing something like that (video production skill is something I completely lack and am not interested in learning at this time...) Anyway I'll put some thought into
[biofuel] Sulfuric acid in the US
Ok, it's time for me to get geared up to try the foolproof method. I want to get leads on some of the supplies in case it takes a long time to find them. I've got everything I'll need except a good source of sulfuric acid. According to Aleks' documentation you need 95% sulfuric acid. The only strength I've found is reagent grade which one person thought was 93%, not 95%. No one I've talked to knows how to find 95%. Also, the only person that I've found that will sell it in small quantities is about 200 miles away, and wants nearly $100US per liter by the time you include all the shipping charges to get it to him. Then I have to go pick it up from him. There's got to be a better way, I just haven't found it yet. I know there are one or two people in St. Louis, Missouri, US, and central Missouri on here. Where do you get it? Thanks, Ryan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~-- Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70 http://us.click.yahoo.com/Z1wmxD/DREIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM ~- Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ * 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/
RE: [biofuel] DVD Issues
I'll volunteer the Mac to do the editing and to burn the master DVD. If we want to burn DVDs for distribution instead of pressing 10,000 copies, I can probably help with that as well. Ryan -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 8:54 AM To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [biofuel] DVD Issues It is cheaper to make dvd's rather than video. Im in CT and go to school for TV productions. I will be in the mid west in june and would love to shoot the project and edit it together. Timing would be an issue. I am very interested in donating my time and expertise Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT http://rd.yahoo.com/SIG=129dpcnnh/M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=1705083269:HM/EXP=1085669781/A=2128215/R=0/SIG=10se96mf6/*http://companion.yahoo.com click here http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=:HM/A=2128215/rand=230920867 _ Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~-- Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70 http://us.click.yahoo.com/Z1wmxD/DREIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM ~- Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ * 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/
RE: [biofuel] Washing methods/Pressure
Preventing the poor reaction that allows the emulsion to form in the first place sounds like the real goal. Does Aleks Kac's Foolproof method create fuel that can withstand mechanical agitation during the wash phase? If not, what method does? Thanks, Ryan -Original Message- From: Appal Energy [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:45 PM To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [biofuel] Washing methods/Pressure Matt, Mist and bubble washing are methods that were developed to prevent or reduce the formation of emulsions. The biggest problem is that the emulsions shouldn't occur in properly prepared fuel, meaning that rather than solving the problems of incomplete reactions, their inventors chose to try and engineer around that trivial little matter. Unfortunately, both have become standards in the homebrew circuit. If you prepare your fuel correctly, there is no reason why you cannot use mechanical agitation, aka motor and impeller. Todd Swearingen - Original Message - From: Matt S [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 8:00 AM Subject: [biofuel] Washing methods/Pressure I'm in the process of planning out a garage-based biodiesel system, but I'm confused abou two things. First, what is the best method of washing biodiesel? I have heard of the mist method, which I assume sprays a light mist over the diesel, lets it sink to the bottom, which is then drained off. My question is how long would I let it mist for and what it used to provide a light mist? Would I be better off building a bubble wand? I want the process to be as automated as possible. Second, I keep hearing about people using a pressure tank for the biodiesel process. What is this used for? Thanks! Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT http://rd.yahoo.com/SIG=129ofj5n2/M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=1705083269:HM/EXP=1085114744/A=2128215/R=0/SIG=10se96mf6/*http://companion.yahoo.com click here http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=:HM/A=2128215/rand=439412698 _ Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -~-- Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM -~- Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ * 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/
RE: [biofuel] Hard to describe the feeling
Mark, Thanks for the information. If it's not too much trouble I'll take the name and number from you. I don't know if it would be economically feasible since that's quite a trip for me but it would still be good to know how to get in touch with them. Thanks, Ryan -Original Message- From: Mark McElvy [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 7:47 AM To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [biofuel] Hard to describe the feeling If you don't mind driving a little, There is a supplier north of Jefferson City selling at $1.50 a gal in 55's. They sell clean drums for 15.00 or you can bring your own. I'll have to find there name and number if interested. Mark McElvy AccuBak Data Systems, Inc. 573.435.9628 - Office 573.435.1429 - Fax 281.682.4181 - Mobile http://www.accubak.com/ http://www.accubak.net/ Nationwide Internet Access Accurate backups for your critical data! -Original Message- From: lostinthelife [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 10:50 PM To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Subject: [biofuel] Hard to describe the feeling It's hard to describe what I'm feeling right now just sitting here looking. I'm a little proud, like a father who sees his child sleeping. I'm a little humble, like someone learning a new insight into the way nature works. I'm a little excited, like I'm standing on the threshold to a new beginning. I'm a little anxious, like someone who wants to get involved in something bigger than themselves. Why do I feel this way? You should know, you all probably felt this way about this same time in your life as well. I'm going to be tempted to stay up all night now because I'm watching it. I'm watching my very first batch of biodiesel separate. It's beautiful in it's own way. It's still cloudy, but I've already got about 20mm of darker glycerin on the bottom. I already know it's contaminated, but I don't care. I tried to dry out the container with my air compressor's blow gun but in my haste I forgot to take off the air tool oiler, so there's some oil in there. I couldn't find a scale that would measure out half a gram of lye, so I think I put too much in. It's really humid here right now, and I couldn't find any translucent lye anyway so maybe the extra lye is ok. Of course I didn't wash it, I'll learn to do that soon, but not tonight. Now I've got 'first batch' questions: 1. If I accidentally shake it and some of the glycerin mixes back in with the biodiesel will it settle back out again? 2. Would it be easier to remove the biodiesel if I chilled the container a little so the glycerin was thicker? 3. Will people like my roommate someday stop looking at me funny when I tell them I'm making my own diesel? 4. Is it just me or have I just done more to end terrorism than most of the politicians in Washington? 5. The only place in town that sells methanol charges $2 a gallon regardless of quantity. Is that typical? 6. Does anyone know a good place in the Kansas City area to buy methanol? 7. Are any of you from Kansas City? The guy I bought my methanol from told me there was someone else in there about two weeks ago who said he was going to make biodiesel as well. 8. Does watched biodiesel separate? Or should I go boil water and come back? 9. If I wanted to keep this bottled up for 'posterity' since it's my first batch, how long would it keep? Thanks for reading this incredibly long and rambling post. Ryan Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT http://rd.yahoo.com/SIG=129kp9u0v/M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=1705083269:HM/EXP=1085065252/A=2128215/R=0/SIG=10se96mf6/*http://companion.yahoo.com click here http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=295196.4901138.6071305.3001176/D=groups/S=:HM/A=2128215/rand=844170378 _ Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -~-- Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70 http://us.click.yahoo.com/Z1wmxD/DREIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM
[biofuel] Introduction
Hello everyone. I'm new to exploring biofuels so I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions and reading a lot of information posted on here. I thought I'd say hello and try to find out if there's anyone near me that makes biodiesel. I live in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. I've read a lot of the Journey to Forever site, and I'm getting ready to make some test batches to see what's involved in the whole process of making my own diesel. I do feel a little overwhelmed at the moment, so I'm going to start small. I'm sure that won't last long though. I would like to start off asking to very basic questions. How can I find a supply of methanol and lye? I've seen lye at the hardware store as a drain cleaner, but I'm sure there's a better source. I couldn't find any methanol though. I know my way around basic tools and electricity though so I feel up to building a processor when it comes time to do it. I just need to get my head around the process first so I understand more of the why it works as well as how. Thanks, Ryan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -~-- Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70 http://us.click.yahoo.com/Z1wmxD/DREIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM -~- Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ * 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/
