So, some may or may not know it, but I have a Mercedes-Benz diesel that I've been wanting to run on biodiesel. Finally, after some serious time on the side yard, I got my personal processing system figured out. I've spent months wavering...do I run on pure vegetable oil (usually called WVO, waste vegetable oil), or should I run on bio diesel. The latter is more complex and more work. However, in consideration of my second vehicle (a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel), I've decided to run bio diesel. Why? Well, WVO is great for my MB but not as friendly to my Jeep. The newer diesels can be converted to run on straight vegetable oil, however, it becomes a complex conversion to the vehicle, often costly, & often with unknown results/consequences. Biodiesel runs in pretty much any diesel. The fuel is akin to diesel itself.
Anyway, for me, I thought bio diesel would make a fuel that accommodates both vehicles. Bio diesel wins! So, over the past several months I've been researching systems, learning the process of making the fuel and collecting the oil. Fun stuff, I love it! My system set up was finished this weekend, and I'm ready to make BD. Here's my shed...
Safety first...I installed an extinguisher, just in case!
Corrugated roof and front panels on the doors. I hated working with this metal and will probably change it to wood. Looks pretty good in pics though.
Here's my system: Methanol containers on left, processing tank in center and settling/centrifuge tank on right...