In 2003 the first American-made personal biodiesel processor was created — the FuelMeister. Biodiesel is a proven and preferred alternative to diesel fuel because it can run on any diesel engine without any modifications. In addition, most oil furnaces can easily adapt to biodiesel fuel (although a few models might require a minor modification). As a result, not only have these do-it-yourselfers saved a tremendous amount of money (as well as all those trips to the gas pump), but they also have the satisfaction of knowing they are doing something good for the environment.

Since biodiesel fuel is most commonly made from used fry (vegetable) oil in combination with lye and methanol, its production minimizes the amount of oil waste that would otherwise wind up in landfills. It is estimated that there are more than three billion gallons of waste oil produced in the U.S. alone each year.

Beyond the obvious landfill benefits, the use of biodiesel fuel also reduces vehicle emissions of sulfur oxides, particulates and carbon monoxide by 70 percent. In the home, it burns cleaner and eliminates the smell often associated with oil furnaces. In addition, biodiesel is non-toxic. It’s also biodegradable and less combustible, which makes it easier to store and transport.

But the biggest factor driving demand for make-it-yourself biodiesel, especially in light of current market conditions, is runaway prices at the pump. In Europe, where gas prices are significantly higher, diesel vehicles are more common (60 percent of the market), as is the practice of consumers making their own biodiesel in their garages, sheds and even basements.

Newer product designs and more advanced technologies make it easier than ever for Americans to achieve the same degree of energy independence. Within the past year, the next generation of biodiesel processors–the FuelMeister II–was introduced. Some of the product’s special safety and ease-of-use features not found on other processors include direct catalyst injection, which increases the speed of chemical reaction, allowing for twice as many batches to be made in the same time period. This special feature also allows the system to work with one tank, eliminating the need for a secondary tank. The single-tank design is not only more convenient and space-efficient, but it’s also safer in containing potentially harmful gases. Quick-disconnect connectors further enhance the product’s ease of operation and safety performance.

If you think making your own biodiesel fuel is beyond your technical skill level, you might want to do more research. With the current technologies on the market, virtually anyone can benefit from making their own biodiesel fuel without any special technical experience or scientific degrees required.

The process starts by collecting used fry oil — ideally from area restaurants that have an almost endless supply of waste oil they’re only too happy to unload. Once the oil is in the FuelMeister, simply add lye which will act as a catalyst for neutralizing the free fatty acids that have formed in the waste oil. By mixing methanol with the lye, you effectively dissolve the catalyst and begin the process for biodiesel production — a process that takes about one hour for 40 gallons of fuel.

And in case you’re wondering how popular biodiesel is, consider the fact that the National Biodiesel Board estimates that production of biodiesel increased approximately 3600% between 2001 and 2006.

Properly made biodiesel will actually run cleaner and smoother, resulting in better engine performance and improved air quality. And since it costs less than a dollar per gallon to make at home, the savings are substantial. As an example, if you own a diesel vehicle or equipment and purchase 40 gallons or more of fuel per week, based on current prices, you would save more than $4,000 per year.

Despite the many advantages of processing your own biodiesel fuel, it’s important to realize that not all systems perform safely and reliably. Unfortunately, the biodiesel market has, in recent years, become overcrowded with many garage-based operators hoping to quickly ride the biodiesel gravy train. Some system designs even utilize old hot water heaters as the main processing unit — a design that has proven unsafe, unreliable and produces inconsistent results.

When considering the purchase of a biodiesel processor, always investigate the reputation and track record of the manufacturer, the availability of technical and field support, and the inclusion of special features designed to minimize contact with the fuel during processing. Such features include vapor return hoses, special mixing chambers and an overall closed-system design.

For more information on the benefits of making your own biodiesel fuel, visit www.fuelmeister.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

“We have enough energy resources and green technology in the United States to enable us to stop relying on foreign dictators to supply us with fuel,”—- The USA finds her new advocate for alternative fuel generation in Brian Schweitzer, Democratic governor of Montana. His disagreement with President Bush on the point of war of Iraq is not under the scope of this site, but what interests us is his emphasis on building up of a more powerful USA on the basis of green technology.

The oil rich Middle East had much to do with the international power equation; but the scenario should change now and the USA has to do many things to initiate the process….feels Montana’s Democratic governor Schweitzer. “Along with a smart strategy in Iraq, our energy independence can make us stronger and safer.” affirms Schweitzer.

Presently the nation consumes up 6.5 billion barrels of oil annually. Only 2.5 billion barrels are produced at home; the rest comes from “some of the world’s worst dictators.”

The governor puts forward a simple three-prong strategy for achieving this energy-independence:

• Save 1 billion barrels through conservation
• Produce another 1 billion barrels of biofuels
• Get 2 more billion barrels by turning coal into liquid fuel

He stresses on various alternative fuel sources. He turned out to be great supporter of biodiesel, also pointed to the importance of producing more ethanol. Another option is wind power and it’s a fact that since the governorship of Schweitzer wind power electric generation has significantly increased in Montana.

The Governor seems to sincerely believe that all these efforts of generating green fuel can only take the USA to a greener and safer future. He believes, the green technology will throw open the doors for thousands of new jobs in the country. If pursued with sincerity, the alternative fuel sources will help the nation earn her much needed energy independence within ten years. Most importantly, with a reliance on greener and cleaner fuels, country will never require to send her children to the battle fields thousands of miles away from home. With an end to the war, there will be cut on defense budget too.

Even if you do not subscribe to political views of Schweitzer, you can’t possibly ignore its humane side! After all we all should try our bits to leave a greener, cleaner and most importantly safer world for the generations to come.

 

Willie Nelson is doing it. President George Bush and Gov. Ed Rendell are talking about it.

Turning soybeans into fuel is getting attention in Centre County too. The company that wants to build a municipal-waste landfill and industrial park in Rush Township has been floating the idea of eventually making a biodiesel plant part of the project.

The idea seems to be getting a warm welcome from township supervisors, but opponents to the proposed landfill say it doesn’t make the project any more appealing.

“I think all they want to do is build a landfill and bring in as much garbage as they can,” said JoAnn Gillette, a Clarence resident and member of the anti-landfill group People Protecting Communities.

Lancaster County-based Resource Recovery submitted its application to build a 274-acre landfill to the state Department of Environmental Protection in May.

While the research is very promising, Biofuels for Transportation cautions that ecological and agricultural risks are possible.

Read full story.

(ARA) – Alternative fueled vehicles are of growing interest in the automobile industry, but what about the All Terrain Vehicle industry? Arctic Cat, a $736-million public company based in Thief River Falls, Minn., makes snowmobiles and ATV’s worldwide. The manufacturer has just announced and completed development of a twin-cylinder diesel ATV, the first on the market.The Arctic Cat diesel ATV will be aimed at markets around the globe. In fact, that is how the whole concept started. In European markets, half of passenger vehicles, and most offroad vehicles rely on #2 diesel fuel that can be up to 25 percent the cost of gasoline. Other users of the ATV are the military, which are working toward one common fuel (JP 8 ) for all their vehicles; others include American farmers and ranchers who have started to use Bio Diesel in all their machinery.

The 686cc twin cylinder, SOHC 4-stroke diesel engine, provides 30 percent greater fuel mileage over a conventional gasoline engine and provides gobs of low-end torque. The engine runs efficiently on six forms of diesel fuel (#1 DF 1, #2 DF 2, DF A Arctic, JP 5, JP 8 and Bio Diesel) with a glow plug pre-heater assist for starting.

If the term Bio Diesel has caught your attention, Arctic Cat hadn’t originally planned to test the new ATV on the alternative fuel made from vegetable oil or animal fat until the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and the Minnesota Soybean Growers floated the biofuels idea. “They were very interested,” says Michael Sparby, AURI project director.

“Arctic Cat was very impressed with B20,” says Ole Tweet, vice president of new product development. The blend burns cleaner than conventional diesel, producing fewer carbon dioxide emissions and lower levels of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulates.

“That complements Arctic Cat’s stewardship goals,” Tweet says. “We’re trying to reduce the impact of our ATV’s on the environment and we like the idea of making an ATV that could run on renewable fuel grown by farmers, some of our best customers.”

According to the National Biodiesel Board, there is strong interest in extending the alternative fuel uses in commercial lawn-care equipment, small home generators, as well as large electrical generators that utilize backup diesel generators. In some areas, a B5 blend is being distributed for home heating, while the marine industry is testing biodiesel in large barges and towboats because the fuel is biodegradable in water, decreasing environmental risks and increasing fuel efficiency.

To learn more about the Arctic Cat diesel ATV, visit www.arcticcat.com, or log on to www.auri.org to learn more about biodiesel.

Courtesy of ARA Content