Free Engine Info

Bio-Diesel

Category: Diesel Engine —

Bio-diesel is a type of diesel being blended as an alternative fuel. Generally vegetable or animal oils can be used. Many different mixes of bio diesel are used. With no modifications to vehicles some people use up to 20 percent and from 50% to 70% on modified engines. First the bio diesel has to go through a chemical separation process where the glycerin has to “fall out” of it. This is called transesterification and is done with the use of methanol and lye. Neither chemicals are great to work with but it can be safe with pre cautioned use. Generally clean oils are used to avoid the acidic state of used cooking oil. Some people don’t mind the extra work to cleanse used oil, because the oil can be extremely cheap and many times is free. Fast food places use alot of oil and are glad to get rid of it. Water and acid will need to be removed from the used oils. A washing of the fuel will also need to be done to remove excess methanol, soaps and other contaminants.

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alternative to gas

Category: Hybrid Auto —

An alternative to gasoline as fuel is needed badly. Many technologies exist, but most development has begun so recently, that much more time and money is needed to replace gas. In prior gas shortages people have used one technology not often talked about, called woodgas. Woodgas is a gas that is made by heating wood until it chemically changes into a clean burnable gas and a solid coal. Vehicles can be run off of woodgas as well as very clean burning heaters with no smoke. One downfall with the setup is the need for a “furnace” to “cook” the vapor out of the wood. Placement of the wood inside the furnace is very critical as is the way the air enters and exits the device. The airflow is usually throttled to control the rate of conversion into the gas. Many people used trucks or small trailers for the room to process the wood. Due to the efficient gas, a piece of wood can last for quite awhile longer than a burning piece of wood.

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