subject: Biodiesel In Winter Causes Issues [print this page] Author: Jeff Bergquist Author: Jeff Bergquist
Biodiesel In Winter Causes Issues
This is the first winter I've seen that biodiesel (a natural fuel made from vegetable oil) is added to the winter blend (No. 1 diesel). Most of the northern states have the label right on the pump (5 to 20% biodiesel blend added). The importance of biodiesel is supreme to reduce carbon emmisions with the ozone and commercial trucking industry since they're highly dependent on diesel to deliver their merchandise efficiently. In any winter prior to 2009, kerosene was added to the diesel to keep it from gelling up in cold weather. This year, I believe, didn't happen.
For the past few winters, the mileage I was getting was about 37mpg. Up until this cold season, now I'm getting about 34 on average. What happened ?!? I've done nothing different now than in the past. I've always used an additive like P*wer S*rvice for cetane boost and easier starts. Heck, I can't even get the pump to work right. This happened at two different stations: It's so SLOW and to top that off, the shut-off mechanism doesn't work no more. I have to babysit the pump for over spill. We all should speak out about fuel prices these days, especially when this watered-down formula is being sold for a higher price and less quality/quantity.
The dawn of the diesel engine: Rudolf Diesel, back in the mid 1890's patented the first diesel engine that ran on peanut oil. For many decades after, the US was not making the blend of refined formula diesel fuel we see today until the 1950's when it became a commercial aspect. Biodiesel became a thing of the past until this past few decades and the search for renewable energy (electric hybrid) vehicles. Along came the hybrids and on to biodiesel for those who run diesel motors. That's the hybrid version of diesel fueled vehicles.
Some simple facts about Biodiesel: There are only a few ingredients necessary to make biodiesel. Vegetable oil (new or used) is one of them and two others in a calculated formula: Which I won't mention due to the fact that they are lethally dangerous. This must not be breathed in as it will shut down your lungs and present an unpleasant demise. The only way to neutralize is "Water". The 3 ingredients mix together at certain temperatures and let sit in a tank for 24 hours to separate. The mixture acts as a catalyst to separate the glycerol & fatty acids from the usable fuel. Next, there is a washing stage with water spray. Each load is washed around 50 or more times to pull the impurities out of the concoction. Finally, the leftover mixture is filtered into a 1 micron fuel filter. The following step is to add to the diesel tank and run it, but not in colder weather than 40 degrees overnight. Pure biodiesel (B100) will gel under 40 degrees, closer to the same temperatures as water does. The BTU's are about 10% less than pure diesel, however, the added benefit of having 10 times the cleaning detergents and 10 times the lubricant factor with NO emmisions causes the Fed to push the oil refineries to make a biodiesel formula or 3. B20, B50 & B100 are common grades of biodiesel. Our motors run quieter and no doubt (in Summer) get the same or better mileage. Don't get me wrong, biodiesel is nice when it's warm out, but you never want to get stuck with a motor that won't crank or start when cold. This will screw up major diesel motor components like the fuel pump, injection pump, sensors, starter motor, etc. I for one, don't like being stuck in the cold without a good snowmobile suit.
Having understood the process of biodiesel, I believe that the Oil refineries wish to experiment with this process at our expense during winter. 10% biodiesel is safe for most colder areas in winter, however, when machinery (GAS station pumps) or our own equipment experience this type of failure, guess what kind of impact it has on our vehicles !
In the past year for example, Audi & VW has introduced, "Clean diesel" catalytic converters that put out extremely low emissions by adding minor amounts of fuel directly injected into the converter periodically. Does not affect mileage to the point that it's just about incalcuable. Now that biodiesel has been introduced, might affect these converters and even cause them to fail. What's the point ? Other improvements include: Heated fuel filters, fuel pumps and fuel line warmers.
We all must speak out about these issues, after all, it's our money & tax dollars that supports their experiments, not their will to improve the environment for us. Tell those gas station managers what you think. Let them know how your mileage is going down and the prices going up. They will test us until we can't stand no more. Nature was just fine before the motorized vehicle boom, let's try to revive that way of life. Remember that biodiesel is for Summer and will not harm the newer vehicles.
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About the Author:
Residing in Wilmington, Illinois, I in general enjoy Gardening, Beekeeping, Renewable Energy Systems, and much more.
