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1.31.2011

Biodiesel

I have talked about the steps to self sustainability when it comes to cars in prior posts. I was focused on EV's. As I'm sure you are aware of, they are popping up everywhere. These are surely a viable option in a self sustaining lifestyle, but there is the looming question/ concern of range and initial cost. I'm not sure why this slipped my mind before but I should have went into some detail about the use of biodiesel. I didn't/ don't know too much about how or what biodiesel really is, so like any good person who is looking to become self sustainable I went to learn about it.

What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. -(source; http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/biodiesel_basics/)

That description is the best and most appealing I have come across to date. I benefit of biodiesel for being self sustainable is that it can be produced by you on your property. There are countless websites that explain how to build your own processor, purchasing a kit, or purchasing a fully built and ready to use processor. Just google biodiesel and there you go.

I have personally become more interested in biodiesel for a number of reasons.
  • It is a simple conversion to use from a typical diesel powered vehicle.
  • farm equipment and lawn tractors typically run on diesel.
  • it is far less expensive than EV's -(2011 VW golf, loaded, for less than $30k)
  • biodiesel can greatly speed up the self sustainability process.
  • Biodiesel is far less complicated than using solar/ wind to charge an electric vehicle.
  • domestic! domestic! domestic! in terms of the fuel source.
  • you can recycle waste oil from local restaurants.
  • it is also possible to power your home with biodiesel.

I will more than likely post more about this at a later date as I learn more about it. I will also be doing some research on the processor's themselves and where to get the oil to use. Stay tuned!!

ps - this LINK has good information about biodiesel.

2 comments:

dontfencemein1979 said...

Saw an article on Drudge this morning that I posted on my blog. Since it relates to fuels in general I thought you might be interested. Right up our alley. http://www.omaha.com/article/20110210/NEWS01/702109884/0#get-ready-for-higher-food-prices

1_4_Freedom said...

@dontfencemein1979 It only justifies the ideas that we are trying to get across. I also heard a news report (my memory fails me in where or what source) but it bascially predicted fuel prices to follow the trend they did a couple years ago when they crested $4.00/gal for the 87 octane. I will be testing this homemade biodiesel very soon.

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