Safeways leads the Ways...

Here's an article from America that should encourage making Biodiesel back here in the UK. If Safeway can do it why dont more companies here do it? Come to that why dont our local authorities all use Biodiesel and why are they not making Biodiesel in the first place?
Insane, in the meantime thanks to the good folks at Awake At The Wheel a really informative blog you can reach here:http://awakeatthewheel.net/
I reproduce the article from their site below:

Safeway Goes Biodiesel
January 21, 2008 · No Comments

Safeway has boldly chosen to become one of the nation’s first major retailers to convert its fleet to clean burning biodiesel. No doubt the benefits of biodiesel were hard for the Pleasonton, California-based company to ignore.
In addition to improved engine performance, less harmful emissions, and a fuel source that isn’t tied to the volatility of the Middle East, none of the company’s 1,000 fleet vehicles will require any major mechanical conversion as biodiesel performs exceptionally well in any diesel motor.

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Biodiesel Jeep

Once again we can learn a lot from our friends across the big water. They like making Biodiesel and this blog is a great insight on how easy and convenient the stuff is - read and learn:

Biodiesel Jeep (.com)
This blog lets me expound ad nauseum about renewable fuels, papers and research with which I am involved or interested. Also are updates on our current Jeep Liberty's progress on B100 and my personal quest to get Jeep to let me buy a new style Wrangler with a diesel engine here in the US.

A brief update...
By BiodieselJeep
So, let's catch up. Here's whats new to the BiodieselJeep and the biofuels family:-The BiodieselJeep is running fine. We moved to a about 30-50% splash-blend for the winter and have kept at that since then. Splash blending (for those who want to pick up some more biofuel-lingo) just means that you dump it in the tank, no muss, no fuss. That's one of the great things about biodiesel. Why 30-50%? My biodiesel container is 5 gallons, and I dump it in when it gets mid to low. No science here, just convenience.-The BiodieselJeep mileage is improving. Diesels generally get better as they break in. There is a simple mod that also got us another 1-2 mpg. Around town as a baby-carrrier the Jeep gets 23 mpg consistently. Compare that to any other mid-small sized SUVs. Which brings me to another point: The curb weight of the Jeep with the diesel option is alot closer to a mid-sized SUV than many of the small SUV's it gets compared to. A CRV? maybe. But often it gets compared to the RAV-4, which is sooo tiny. Not fair, I say! Highway with a big load and driving 70 mph: 26 mpg. At 55 we get near 30...but that just isn't realistic.-Meet the "new" Jetta, same as the "old" Jetta. I crashed the black Jetta. I cried and cried; that lil' honey could run. Cried until I got the insurance check, which was more than I paid for it!Diesels are selling for ridiculous amounts. so my insurance company paid out a market price and that took the edge off. I bought a white Jetta TDI, same year, same mileage but with more doodads and a moon-roof. To make it even better, I sold the wreck to some clever boys from Vermont who wanted to slap together a diesel hybrid. Hopefully as you read this, the FrankenJetta is haunting the Green Mountains, terrorizing gas stations with inhuman mileage. Bwoooaaaahaaahaahaaa!!!-Can't drive 55. Look, let us be honest. You and I should drive slower if we really want better mileage. All the statistics are very clear: every 4-5 mph over 55 drops your mileage by at least 1 mpg. But in my state (CT) highways are 65 mph...and everyone drives 75. Now, the white Jetta has bigger injectors and stuff, which means it really wants to fast. Fast as in not dangerous but fast as in sorry-officer-I-think-my-speedometer-is-broken. Still, I never get below 41 mpg. I could be getting close to 48...(someone is doing math right now...yes...naughty boy). The guilt haunts me at night, but sporty turbo diesels combined with autobahn engineering makes for irresistible fun.
Biodiesel running a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD

Go straight to this blog here: http://biodieseljeep.blogspot.com/

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And now for something completely different!....

You know how when you stumble across a company offering exceptional service or product (usually it's the service that makes the BIG impression) you feel you want to tell everyone about it? Well here is the first of an occasional series of references to such people.
Totally not connected in anyway to making Biodiesel, these guys offer great pens/pencils and even better service - awesome. Try them the next time you want a pen or refill:
http://www.cultpens.com/index.html

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Biodiesel News

Here's some latest news on the making Biodiesel front folks. If you go to this site there is also a good download to recieve a free newsletter link. Follow this link:http://www.biodieselfuelonline.com/biodieselblog/biodiesel-news-roundup-18-jan-2008/#comment-13

January 20, 2008
Biodiesel News Roundup 18 Jan 2008
Hey folks,
So here we go with our "weekly" round-up of biodisel goodness from around the world. I hope you enjoy it…
Safeway Go Green
The story that seems to have cropped up the most around the web this week is news that supermarket giant Safeway will now run its fleet of over 1000 trucks on biodiesel fuel across the USA.
"Our customers care about these types of sustainability issues, and we are proud to be a leader in environmental best practices," said Joe Pettus the senior vice president
China Gets Biodiesel Friendly
In the northern provnce of Hebei, around 7,000 hectares of biodiesel forest will be grown.
China is trying its best to fuel its massive and fast growing economy and its turned to biodiesel to achieve that.
Biodiesel At The Movies

Biodiesel will be featured in the upcoming film "Fields of Fuel". Josh Tickell's movie will be screened at the Sundance Film Festival this week and Tickell has used the movie to call for better support for biodiesel from politicians.
Although mainly a mouthpiece for the director's environmental preoccupations the film does offer some decent educational fodder about our favourite fuel source.
EU Bans Palm Oil Biodiesel?
Although it's Europe's aim to provide at least 10% of all vehicle fuel from biofuels by the year 2020, the EU is currently planning to ban palm oil biodiesel.
Environmentalists aruge that fuels made from palm oil are doing more damage to the environment because of the destruction of rainforests.
It seems the EU will ban any biofuel derived from "sensitive ecosystems" such as tropical forests and grasslands.
—————–
So what do we think about the EU stance - interfering with making Biodiesel progress or responsible governing attitude? Personally I believe the old adage there's no such thing as bad publicity. Particularly here in the UK where the whole making Biodiesel at home thing is still unknown to the general populace. Any publicity raises the general threshold of awareness, surely?

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The National Biodiesel Board of America

For all of you readers thinking of making Biodiesel here is a useful site from our American cousins. It will provide a lot of info if making Biodiesel or if just interested and supportive. It's a great shame that we in the UK don't have this level of support. Have a read and let me know your thoughts. There are links at the bottom. You may need to cut and paste the link into your browsers.


The Official Site of the National Biodiesel Board (USA)

BIODIESEL BACKERS is a diverse coalition of individuals, including Willie Nelson, from across the nation who find common ground in their support for biodiesel fuel. nbsp; The National Biodiesel Board founded the Biodiesel Backers program in response to growing interest from individuals who want to take advantage of new information and opportunities to help advance the use of clean-burning, renewable biodiesel fuel that meets high industry standards. Biodiesel Backers are instrumental in helping America realize the health, environmental, national energy security and rural economic benefits of biodiesel fuel, one of the cleanest, most practical fuels available today.
Biodiesel Backers operates under protocols and safeguards that are intended to protect both the credibility of Biodiesel Backers and the autonomy of individuals to speak for themselves.
BIODIESEL IS a cleaner burning, renewable fuel that offers human health, environmental, energy security and economic benefits to America. It reduces emissions associated with cancer, asthma and other health concerns as well as pollution associated with global warming. Biodiesel cuts emissions of cancer-causing compounds by 75 to 90 percent compared to those in petroleum diesel exhaust. Furthermore, biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to complete the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. Biodiesel can be made from any vegetable oil or fat. In America, biodiesel is usually made from soybean oil. Because it is domestically produced from farm crops and other renewable resources, biodiesel contributes to the U.S. economy as well as national energy security. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine with few or no modifications and offers similar horsepower, fuel economy and torque to petroleum diesel. Hundreds of fleets and thousands of individuals currently use biodiesel blends, and biodiesel pumps are opening to the public across the nation.
BIODIESEL BACKERS PROVIDES its members with the Biodiesel Bulletin, a monthly report covering the biodiesel industry and other biodiesel issues, plus concise alerts containing new and timely information on biodiesel developments that may be of interest, including reference to opportunities to help support the advancement of biodiesel fuel.
TO JOIN, just click the link below and complete the short registration form. It costs you nothing because there are no membership dues. As a Biodiesel Backer, you are simply expressing your individual support for the increased use of biodiesel fuel across America and gaining access to timely information about new developments and opportunities to help support biodiesel fuel use.

· Click here to join the Biodiesel Backers.
· Click here to learn more about biodiesel fuel and the National Biodiesel Board.
· Click here to find out how your organization can support biodiesel by becoming a member of Biodiesel Alliance!
· If you're not ready to join the Biodiesel Backers, but would like to receive the NBB's free, monthly Biodiesel Bulletin newsletter, click here.

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Prince of Wales converts his Jags to "Green"

Here is a post I found recently, although a bit out of date, it that may be of interest to anyone thinking of making Biodiesel. But I bet Charles doesn't have to get his hands oily!

Posted Dec 11th 2006 2:34PM by Sam AbuelsamidFiled under: Biodiesel, Jaguar
Traditionally, before Colin Chapman introduced a Lotus 49 in colors of Gold Leaf Tobacco, racing cars were painted in colors based on the home country of the team running them. German racers were silver, Italian red, French blue and of course cars from the British Isles were always the legendary British Racing Green. Now the Jaguars and Land Rovers that ferry the future king of England (if he manages to out-live his mother, that is) will represent a new breed of green. Prince Charles is now awaiting the delivery of the first of his fleet of chauffeur-driven (he is still a royal after all) Jags outfitted to run on B100 biodiesel. Ultimately all the vehicles he uses will run on B100, made from rapeseed oil (known in the US as canola). Starting with next year's annual accounts he will be publishing details of his household's carbon emissions and setting reduction targets. In addition to the biodiesel cars he's also taking public trains to get from his country home of Highgrove to London and switching over to sustainable sources of electricity for his residences.

This blog is from a really good site, American based, that pulls together a great deal of info on the current scene in the USA. If you are thinking of making Biodiesel you need to visit: http://www.autobloggreen.com

If you are thinking of making Biodiesel it can seem a bit of an uphill struggle in the UK. So many people are unaware of it. So articles and posts like these can help pull things into perspective. At least that's what I believe - what do you think? Do you want to read more general interest articles on the 'World of Making Biodiesel' or would you prefer more UK hands on stuff??

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Glimpse of California Diesel Life

Biodiesel Ready Vehicles Begin Landing in California
October 16, 2007 ·
San Jose Mercury News

Mercedes-Benz started leasing diesel-powered sedans in California Monday, the first new diesel passenger cars available in the state in nearly a decade.
Mercedes “has developed a diesel emission control system that results in a car as clean as comparable gasoline vehicles being sold here,” Tom Cackette, head of the California’s Air Resources Board, said in a statement.
The company said the car gets 20 to 40 percent better fuel efficiency than a comparable car with a gasoline engine and has a 700-mile range. According to the federal government, the ‘08 E320 Bluetec gets 23 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway. The gasoline-powered E350 gets 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Volkswagen has said it would put a diesel version of its Jetta compact that meets California emissions regulations on sale in early 2008. Other automakers are expected to start selling diesels here by the end of the decade.
Read more on this great site here:http://awakeatthewheel.net/

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Fellow blogger's Home Trial

I thought this blog might be of interest to readers thinking of making Biodiesel at home:

1st Big batch!
By MJ Panton
Today I made a batch in the processor !
I moved 96 litres of Waste oil into the processor, heated to 55C and added the 21.5 litres of Methanol and NaOH. It then circulated for 2 hours and then settled for another hour. I then drained off from the bottom of the tank about 18 litres of dark red liquid (glycerin) until the liquid became a golden yellow/wheat colour.
Here's a sample:
It looks pretty cloudy as there's still a few impurities in there. These will drop out (and be filtered out) once the left over methanol is removed. This is done through evaporation (from heating or naturally to the surrounding air). I heated this sample on the hob and took it to about 70c (around 160F) for 5 mins. Once it had cooled a little I decanted it (there was a distinct puddle of dark "stuff" (liquid and a few lumps) in the bottom) and filtered it through a coffee filter (Google suggests a coffee filter is around 20 microns).

In this shot, you can see the line of the darker liquid and the line at the edge of the bio.
The resulting liquid is much clearer!
I also did a quick test known as the 3 in 27 or 3/27 test. You take 27ml of methanol and add 3ml of the biodiesel (ie the sample). once added, you shake/mix for 5 seconds and then look to see if there is any separation. If the process is incomplete, there will be a "bubble" (a bit like in a spirit level) under the methanol. if there is no bubble, it means the reaction is at or around 96% complete (which is good!). This batch had NO bubble!



You can reach this site here: http://thebiodieselcook.blogspot.com/2007/10/1st-big-batch.html and follow his trials in building a really good looking home kit! This just shows that you can start making Biodiesel at home too!

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Sourcing product

I get regularly asked "but where can I get waste vegetable oil (WVO) from?" The answer is from lots of places and the price will vary. It varies from nil to about 60 cents (30p) per litre. Now if you are making Biodiesel at home and produce less than 2,500 litres a year and live in the island called UK you can make it TAX FREE! Yep our Gov. has decided to let all you good people have a years worth of fuel fro free.



So it's even more important to be able to source low cost or free WVO. That way you can spend more money on you and less on transport costs!



Where to start? Making Biodiesel is all about the OIL. Quite simply, no oil - no fuel! As an aside, I suppose, with the tax free benefits it is also worth considering NEW vegetable oil at a push, but see paragraph 2 above. No, if you are tempted to make Biodiesel at home you need to first of all establish a source of WVO.



This easy. Just go into your local pub, restaurant, hotel, chippy, fast food outlet, school, college or similar institution that fries food (most of them, right?) - and here's what you do. You ask if you can take away their nasty used up oil. Simple as that! Beware though, once you get an agreement to take it away, you have to take it away, regularly - like every week. To them it is just a waste product to be disposed of.



Now if you've been wondering if people really are making Biodiesel at home, here is a way of testing the water. When you ask if you can have the WVO for free, if they say no. Ask why? If the answer is that their supplier is paying them to take it away you know that making Biodiesel is really catching on, in your area anyway. Making Biodiesel is really starting to become established. What I really like about this is that it is largely staying local. What I mean is that a lot of people are making Biodiesel at home from re-cycling local WVO. This means - local fuel for local people! More importantly perhaps it is re-cycling a waste product that normally goes to land fill. This in itself is a very good thing and an extra plus. So lots and lots of local communities are benefiting from this new fuel phenomenon. Everybody wins don't they? Where is the downside here??

Having said that I am sure there must be some of you reading this who will now proceed to tell me about the downsides. If so, please make it constructive and not just a personal rant - OK? have we got a deal?

Other sources of WVO? Well one of the best is eBay of course. Over the last year there has been a steady rise in the number and variety of items listed under Biodiesel - take a look. Not only chemicals for the catalyst but hardware, small systems and importantly WVO and new oil.
Next rant will be about eBay.

docbiodiesel

Stifled Progress

You find something good, something which helps and which looks a certain winner. You do a bit of research and it still looks good. You get excited! You cannot quite believe how good you feel at having found this 'something' and then you gradually realise there is a problem. Sound familiar/ Well this happened to me some time ago when I started making Biodiesel.

Making Biodiesel at home seemed a good way forward on many fronts. I was employed by a company who asked me to drive all around the country but in return paid me a healthy business mileage to do so. So I had a financial incentive to find a cheaper fuel. I'll be honest that was the main 'driver' in making biodiesel. i then realised, with relief, that in trying to maximise my travel expenses I had discovered a way to help a load more people than just myself. Making Biodiesel in fact was going to help the whole planet!

I doubt if many people are reading this and are unaware of Biodiesel. That's why you are here, right? Well being trained never to assume, I will just quickly state that Biodiesel is a wonderfull product and here's why: made from re-cycled waste vegetable oil or WVO (used cooking oil actually) it saves on rubbish being taken to land fill first of all, then it allows the user to run his or her car/boat/generator/central heating/van/coach/tractor etc instead of using 'fossil fuel'. It is classed as carbon neutral and generally speaking most people agree that as it is made from regular cooking oil that would have been thrown away it is a "good thing",

Well anyway the reason I called this post 'Stifled Progress' is now revealed. Making biodiesel is not regarded as a good thing by everyone. And I don't mean it is the Oil Baron's who disapprove. I mean our own Government. Yep, the people we voted for to run our precious country don't seem to want to help encourage this cottage industry to flourish. Now one could argue that the change to the excise duty and regulation last year was a positive step in our "Making Biodiesel at Home" journey. The thing is, the more cynical amongst us point out that letting people make Biodiesel at home for home consumption up to 2,500 litres was done to avoid having to regulate a newly expanding phenomenon. They (HM Gov) simply do not have the staff to carry out all the visits necessary to regulate the small producer making Biodiesel at home.

No the thing that really winds me up is the way they sneakily brought in the legislation to regularly put the duty on biofuels up every year. The public, understandably, overlook the fact that excise duty on both fossil and bio fuels goes up again in April. So unlike a lot of our European cousins who pay no duty on Biofuels at all ( their Governments seem to want to encourage the production and use of planet friendly Biodiesel etc.) our lot, despite crowing about how terribly green they all are and how they are setting the agenda on carbon reduction and climate change, really just want to collect as much TAX as possible. So less people are encouraged to make Biodiesel. Making less Biodiesel is the wrong way - we should all be making Biodiesel in our own communities. 'Local fuel for local people@ as they say.

I am now decided; I will try to help as many folk as I can to make Biodiesel at home or at work or on the allotment or in their garage or wherever! I am setting up a website shortly and will attempt to bring together all the latest news, reports, ebooks, newsletters etc so that as many people as possible can start making Biodiesel - here endeth the lesson. More later, happy days.