Centrifuge to remove HMPE's

[1958steveflying]

Tried adding up to 15% petrol into the melted mix and the solids that re-formed on cooling were the same in quantity as a control sample without petrol.

Do did the petrol dissolve the HMPE's? 

LOL... speed reading again Nathan....

[nigelb]

Maybe that crap you're fuging out Nathan is what makes bio burn so well in the engine. If it's only visable when fuged and not when it's been filtered to 1 micron, then maybe it has some sort of detrimental effect on the cetane value of the fuel.

In other words...you could be be making fuel of a lower calorific value by producing in the way you do.

Nige

[Tony]

Longer chain hydrocarbons have more energy, I'm sure I read somewhere that palm oil gives more energy as a fuel.

[K.H]

Longer chain hydrocarbons have more energy, I'm sure I read somewhere that palm oil gives more energy as a fuel.

There is a lot about it on the JTF site

[nathanrobo]

Maybe that crap you're fuging out Nathan is what makes bio burn so well in the engine. If it's only visable when fuged on not when it's been filtered to 1 micron maybe it has some sort of detrimental effct on the cetane value of the fuel.

In other words...you could be be making fuel of a lower calorific value by producing in the way you do.

Nige

That's an interesting possibility!  I do boost my cetane rating so maybe I'm masking a lower cetane value??

In other cars that I've run, Citroen, Peugeot, Alfa there's not been a significant difference between boosted and unboosted fuel.  But the Landcruiser - big beasty that it is runs much better with the additive (I've never tried the mini Dooper on fuel that isn't boosted). If fuel has additive to make it comparable to Derv does it matter how it's achieved?  Before I got my dispensing kit finished, with my plant gone, I used Derv in both cars and couldn't tell a difference compared with Bio.

There are quite a lot of brewers using centrifuges to finish their final fuel now and I'm in touch with a fair few.  None of these has suggested that they have seen a decrease in performance since centrifuging.


When I get my plant back or build a new one, I'd like to catch up - Acetone as a co-solvent etc. Then get my fuel fully tested.  In the meantime is there a diy method for testing cetane ratio. 

It would be interesting to hear from others who have began fuging more recently than I have.  Has anyone noticed a lower pedal response since centrifuging?

[nigelb]

I think HCII once posted about calculating cetane values. Could be wrong though.

Nige

[nathanrobo]

I think HCII once posted about calculating cetane values. Could be wrong though.

Nige

I'll send him a note! 

SMS'd a couple of other fugers and they report no difference in performance!  Not definitive, not sure that it matters with additives. 

Still, if we're going to get to the bottom of the differences, process to process, those of us who post on the differences should think about giving samples for lab testing and split the cost between us.  As I've mentioned before, it's worth a few hundred quid of my money!

[julianf]

Longer chain hydrocarbons have more energy, I'm sure I read somewhere that palm oil gives more energy as a fuel.

Is it that theyre longer?  I dont know where, but i recall reading somwhere that the melting point was due to the structure of the chain (i dont recall mention of length)

As i recall, the gist was that straighter molecules could lie flatter against each other (tessilate better) and became more dense / solid at higher temperatures.


Molecules that were more 'wiggely' wouldnt sit flat, so stayed more fluid?

Again, i cant recall where i read this, so it may not be accurate!

[thewormman]

Nathan

Have you tried fuging some pump diesel to see what comes out?

I think that would be rather interesting...

[nigelb]

Still, if we're going to get to the bottom of the differences, process to process, those of us who post on the differences should think about giving samples for lab testing and split the cost between us.  As I've mentioned before, it's worth a few hundred quid of my money!

That's the most ridiculous statement I've read in quite some time. Let me get this straight...you want me to spend my money, testing my fuel, so I can tell you it's of better quality than yours??

I'm glad you've got the money to spare Nathan in these austire times. Have you not noticed how careful home brewers are with their money

Why don't you celebrate the differences, comment on other peoples processes and discuss. This is, after all, a discussion forum.

[Jamesrl]

I have four test beds for my diesel, three HDI's and me boat to date NON have suffered a fuel related problem, not even blocked filters.

I have NO reason to for paying loads a muny to find out what I already know, namely, My Bio's OK.

[nathanrobo]

In fairness though James, as you know from your contact with countless newbies, very few will begin with your kit and experience (based on 60 years of making bio)

These are often the guys who are reading up on the forums. 

Producing this stuff is interesting and it's always interesting to get a independent accurate view of what we are turning out.  In the scheme of things my point was that for those who like to play / experiment, understand etc. it's not all about saving a measly few quid!  A few hundred quid is equivalent to a few tanks of fuel at the pump. 

[Jamesrl]

Oooooo! a bit of Dave jar voo there Nathan.

[nathanrobo]

I know :-)

[K.H]

Oooooo! a bit of Dave jar voo there Nathan.

Sorted, i take it your using your phone again Nathan