Utilizing both WVO/SVO
Biodiesel (waste / straight
vegetable oil) and Solar power, it is our hope that the bus
will be a model of environmentally friendly travel and living.
Environmental Education and exploration will be an intrigal part of our program.
Vegetable Oil as a Fuel
Vegetable oil as a fuel source may sound like a crazy idea, but the very first
diesel engine was actually built to run on peanut oil, way back in 1900. In recent
years, there has been a move in two directions for the use of vegetable oil fuel
in diesel engines: Biodiesel and recycled vegetable oil. Biodiesel is the name
designated for a chemically altered vegetable oil that can run in existing, non-converted
diesel engines. Used vegetable oil, usually acquired from restaurants needing
to dispose of their used oil, can be filtered and poured directly into a converted
diesel engine.
When used in place of petroleum diesel, Biodiesel
and recycled vegetable oil offer a wide range of environmental,
health, economic and fuel security benefits. Vegetable oil
burned as fuel does not emit sulfur dioxide (SO2), a main compound
in diesel responsible for acid rain. In addition to this 100%
reduction in SO2, recycled vegetable oil fuel produces 78%
less carbon dioxide (CO2), the dominant greenhouse gas responsible
for global warming, 48% less carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas,
48% less asthma-causing particulate matter, and 80% less cancer-causing
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) than petroleum
diesel.
Besides the substantial reductions in polluting emissions, vegetable oil fuel
can also give the U.S. greater fuel security, curbing our reliance on imported
oil. Currently the U.S. imports about 60% of our fuel needs from other countries,
leaving us susceptible to dramatic price shocks and high defense costs to secure
the imported oil.
Vegetable oil is produced domestically in the U.S., grown by American farmers.
A 2001 U.S. Department of Agriculture study found that if Americans increased
their demand for vegetable oil by 200 million gallons, the average net farm income
would increase by $300 million per year.
The United States consumes enough fuel to cover a
regulation-size football field to the depth of about 40 miles
each year. By consuming approximately 20 million barrels of
oil a day, we are the number one consumer of non-renewable
fossil fuels in the world.
OUR SYSTEM - Q & A
How does it work?
We are using a two tank fuel system. The bus' existing diesel tank and filter
will supply diesel fuel to the engine at start up and shut down. After start
up radiator fluid will transfer heat from the engine to the heat exchangers within
the vegetable oil system. These heat exchangers will heat the vegetable oil in
the fuel filter, lines and fuel tank. The heat will reduce the viscosity of vegetable
oil so that it is similar to diesel and can be injected into the engine properly.
When the vehicle is being shut down the vegetable oil must be purged from the
fuel system and replaced with diesel for the next start up.
Is there a loss in power on vegetable oil?
If anything we have noticed an increase in power and smoothness when we are running
on vegetable oil.
Is there added engine wear using
this type of vegetable fuel systyem?
No. Studies show that vegetable oil has superior lubrication and detergent values
over conventional diesel fuel. Examination of engines running with this type
of conversion have shown dramatic reductions of carbon deposits over petro diesel
in the engines studied.
What about fuel economy (miles per gallon) on vegetable
oil?
There should be no difference in fuel economy between diesel and vegetable oil.
You will receive the high efficiency of a diesel engine on either fuel. (diesel
engines are generally 40% more efficient than their gasoline counter parts)
What about emissions?
There is no sulfur content in vegetable oil which eliminates the first major
carcinogen associated with diesel fuel. Vegetable oil plants absorb more carbon
dioxide from the air during their growing cycle than is released when the oil
is burned, this means that vegetable oil does not produce excess carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere (this is referred to as carbon neutral). Due to a slightly
cooler burn some studies have shown NOX reductions when burning vegetable oil.
More studies are underway and results will vary depending on engine and tuning.
As a sulfur free, bio-mass fuel vegetable oil emissions are less harmful to the
environment and less toxic to people and animals.
Where do we get our vegetable oil?
Generally we filter frying oil from restaurants. Most restaurants are happy to
give their oil away as the generally have to pay disposal fees.
What if you we run out of vegetable oil on the road?
Will the bus still run?
The bus is a dual-fuel vehicle; The existing diesel circuit is left in place.
The engine is started and shut down with diesel fuel and can operate using the
diesel tank at any time.
Will oil go bad?
Vegetable oil is a compostable material and will go rancid if exposed to the
elements or subject to bacterial contamination. Filtering and storing your oil
in a sealed container in a cool place will extend its life. There are addatives
called biocides that can be mixed with the oil to prevent bacteria from growing.
What is the difference between Biodiesel & WVO/SVO?
Biodiesel is created with a chemical reaction that
uses 80% vegetable oil and 20% methanol. The product can
be blended with diesel and poured directly into the tank
of any diesel vehicle. Biodiesel will gel at higher temperatures
than petroleum diesel and can cause damage when used in high
concentrations to fuel systems that use natural rubber, rather
than synthetic rubbers. Blended biodiesel will be denoted
by it's percentage of biodiesel in the blend. B20 is a blend
of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. 100% biodiesel
usually costs much
more than petroleum diesel.
WVO (Waste Vegetable Oil) and SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil - usually virgin oil)
vehicle conversions allow diesel vehicles to run on vegetable oil that has not
been chemically altered like biodiesel. The oil is thinned by heating it. The
vehicle must be started and shut down on petroleum diesel or biodiesel. Once
it reaches operating temperature it can be switched to run on the WVO or SVO.
Suppliers of "earth friendly" conversion:
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