1. Welcome Hearth.com Guests and Visitors - Please enjoy our forums!
    Hearth.com GOLD Sponsors who help bring the site content to you:
    Jotul Cast Iron Stoves
    Woodstock Soapstone Stoves
    Hearth and Home (QuadraFire and Harman Stoves)

Bio Diesel

Post in 'The Green Room' started by gfreek, Nov 5, 2012.

  1. gfreek Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 5, 2010
    508 posts
    Wyoming Cty,Western NY
    Can processed bio diesel run in a regular diesel without modifications?? Have a son in the Rockaways, hit hard by the hurricane, and has access to diesel generator.. Thanks
    gfreek, Nov 5, 2012
    #1

    Helpful Sponsor Ads!

  2. begreen Super Moderator

    joined: Nov 18, 2005
    36,433 posts
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Yes and no. It depends on the mix. a 50/50 mix should work ok. But 100% biodiesel will like act as a cleaner in the system and may plug filters. In that case if possible, I would recommend getting a few extra fuel filters.
    begreen, Nov 5, 2012
    #2
    midwestcoast and Scotty Overkill like this.

  3. midwestcoast Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 9, 2009
    1,408 posts
    NW Indiana
    I'd add that IF it's 100% biodiesel he may also have trouble starting the genny up in cold weather. Keep some reg diesel around for starts and also shut-down on the regular. Once running the heat from genny should be plenty to keep it from gelling.
    midwestcoast, Nov 6, 2012
    #3

  4. peakbagger Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 11, 2008
    1,051 posts
    Northern NH
    Bio Diesel acts like a solvent or a "soap" to regular diesel. If you suddenly switch to biodiesel on an existing diesel unit, it will break all the crap loose from the existing fuel system and plug filters for awhile. Once all the crap gets cleaned out, it will run fine. As noted the "pour" point of biodiesel can be higher than regular diesel so if the fuel gets much below 50 degrees you need to warm it up or blend it. There are additives to reduce the pour point. I beleive the oil companies just blend in kerosene to redcue the pour point of regular diesel.
    peakbagger, Nov 6, 2012
    #4

  5. Dune Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 14, 2008
    2,659 posts
    Commonwealth Of Massachussetts
    Blending 10% methanol will eliminate many problems as well.
    Dune, Nov 9, 2012
    #5

Share This Page