Scale Diesel
Making Bio Diesel
Bio diesel is not a new concept it has been around for quite some time, it is largely the idea of using oils such as vegetable oil and canola to power a diesel vehicle. This is not really a strange concept since the first diesel engine was not made to run on our modern day fossil fuels, but instead was run on peanut oil.
Diesel motors do not require the same refined process that is used with modern cars, this in mind diesel engines are not designed for smooth high powered running either, they are more like the draft horse of engines, and will generally last a lot longer than a normal car motor.
Many people who make bio diesel themselves use either used cooking oils or grow crops of canola, and crush it to get oil. Ideally if you have the acreage to grow a crop of canola this is the best method as you are getting clean oil to begin making bio diesel so no time will be wanted in the process of cleaning it. Although used oil from fish and chip shops is just as effective provided that you clean and drain it properly the end result is just as good.
There are many different methods available for making Bio Diesel, A simple one that I have found uses the following ingredients: used cooking oil, Methanol, Sodium Hydroxide. Please note that this procedure is risky and I do not recommend making biodiesel without further research of the process, these are just general guidelines of the making process, if you wish to actually make your own bio diesel please consult expert companies or professionals.
Note that the oil must be heated and drained twice to ensure that you have got all of the muck out of it, if you don't take the time to do this you will block up your fuel filters. It is advisable to begin with a test batch of bio diesel, this is easily done by using kitchen scales and a blender, with a ratio of 6 grams of sodium Methoxide to 1 liter of cooking oil. This measurement is only a guide that is why you do a test batch, to find out the exact calculation that will be required to make a larger batch.
Heat the oil, add the Methoxide solution and mix this in the blender, and let the mixture stand to settle. If the test batch is successful you will see that the glycerin has sunk to the bottom of the mix once settled, Glycerine looks black, and sinks to the bottom of the blender, but the bio diesel will be an amberish color and will float to the top. This means you have separated the mixture and changed the molecular structure of the oil, it can never revert back to its original status again.
Once you have your calculations correct you can start mixing bigger batches, You will then need to make up a plant for handling larger amounts of oil. There are blue prints of designs all over the internet, they vary in design, just as much as the recipe for bio diesel does! Find one that you feel is easy to make and understand.
On a final note, be sure that you always test the oil first as once you have began the process you cant change your formula. So take care to make sure that all of your calculations are correct before trying to make larger batches. When working with Methanol and Sodium Hydroxide be very careful to take safety precautions to protect yourself from burns, or injury.
About the Author
Daniel Roshard is an interior designer and environmental activist, studying the integration of traditional house appliances to gardens and outdoors. Daniel writes
Biodiesel
articles for ZupaTips.com
Scale Diesel
 |
 BRAWA 41310 Diesel Locomotive V320 001 DB Scale H0  US $899.00
|
 OMI HO SCALE BRASS CSX EMD SD80MAC ROAD DIESEL F P YN3 801W LIGHTS 1 of 53 NIB US $850.00
|
 33 TRAINS DIESEL ENGINES LOCOMOTIVE SET LOT BACHMANN RIVAROSSI TYCO HO SCALE US $699.95
|
 KEY IMPORTS HO SCALE BRASS ALCO FA 1 FB 1 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE SET GN VERSION F P US $479.99
|
 UNION PACIFIC RR SD70M HO SCALE BRASS DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE OVERLAND MODELS INC US $475.00
|
 HO Scale MILW19 B 19 A Diesel EMD E7A A Phase I w Sound DCC By Proto 2000 US $514.49
|
 CNW CHICAGO NORTH WESTERN SD70Ace DIESEL HERITAGE LOCO DCC SOUND MTH HO Scale US $399.95
|
 KCS KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN SD70Ace DIESEL HERITAGE LOCO DCC SOUND MTH HO Scale US $399.95
|
 WP WESTERN PACIFIC SD70Ace DIESEL HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE DCC SOUND MTH HO Scale US $399.95
|
 MP MISSOURI PACIFIC SD70Ace DIESEL HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE DCC SOUND MTH HO Scale US $399.95
|
 MARKLIN HO SCALE 33621 EMD F7 AMTRAK AA DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE SET US $349.99
|
 HO SCALE UNION PACIFIC DIESEL DIGITAL COMMANDER ELECTRIC TRAIN SET US $329.99
|
 MTH HO Scale Union Pacific SD70ACe Diesel Locomotive NEW DCC SND 8453 US $329.95
|
 Roco HO scale Diesel locomotive class 754 Digital with Sound US $329.95
|
 Jouef HJ2045 Diesel railcar series X 73500 HO scale Ships FREE US $299.99
|
 BRAWA 41028 Diesel Locomotive BR V100 007 DB Scale H0 US $299.00
|
 HO Scale Union Pacific 9807 Dash 9 44CW Diesel Locomotive By Athearn US $281.45
|
 JR Diesel Locomotive Type DF50 Brown Tomix HO 201 HO scale US $278.00
|
 Marklin HO Scale DIGITAL 34203 Class V140 Diesel LIMITED EDITION MINT BOXED US $275.03
|
 Roco 43840 HO scale German DB Museums Edition V 160 003 Diesel Locomotive US $272.00
|
 HO Scale U50 UP UNION PACIFIC 51 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE 5000hp RTR DCC READY US $269.95
|
 HO Scale Milwaukee 16 EMD E7A Diesel Locomotive By Broadway Limited US $267.49
|
 NEW KIBRI HO Scale Model 16090 Diesel Locomotive PLASSER THEURER RARE US $259.99
|
 HO Scale Missouri Pacific 8007 Alco PA Diesel Locomotive SET By Proto 2000 US $258.49
|
 Fleischmann 4431 HO scale German DB 2 car Class 614 Diesel Autorail Railcar set US $250.00
|
 VINTAGE PIKO HO SCALE RAIL DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE 6001 MINT US $250.00
|
impressions on a new mitsubishi lancer?
Hi y'all I just part by the car dealer this morning to get the estimate on a new car. I have been looking into the new Mistubishi lancer diesel. I'm looking on some advice from seasoned Mitsubishi drivers, and if possible garage mechanics or staff on the pro's and con's of Mitsubishi as a brand, and more specific on the new lancer model. What are it's strengths, weaknesses and on a scale from one to ten how reliable would you estimate the brand, maybe a few pointers to get me some extra "free" goodies in the package. (I'd love to get a rear spoiler but it makes the car just over budget)
Most helpful advice get's 10 points
oh BTW I'm from Belgium. And the diesel engine in this car is supplied by Volkswagen so no troubles there.
What country? I am not familiar with the Lancer Diesel, but in the US they did just redesign the Lancer and only offer a gas engine.
The new one's are much nicer than the older ones, but they still are not rated as high as other cars in its class (Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Scion tC, Mazda 3).
We had a Mitsubishi Galant, which is a little bigger, from 2001-2006, and while it was very reliable and never had a mechanical issue, it had really 'ho-hum' performance and was not exciting to drive.
Overall, the Lancer is solid, but not up to par with its competition. Reliability is good. Resale value is bad. You probably will like the car, but won't love it.
Good luck.