Bio-diesel

my local Morrisons sells B30 BIODIESEL but the price is exactly the same as regular diesel. i was under the impression that bio was cheaper to buy than diesel so what is there to gain by using bio to regular apart from the need to change your fuel filters more regularly thus costing more in the long run!

We got a local garage that sells bio but it is 12p a litre more than regular diesel and they want people to buy it cos it is better for the enviroment :hippie: , do they think we are all stoopid or something ??? :your_wrong:

people reckon they can make bio for around 15p per litre! how can the filling stations justify this sort of mark up?

"Biodiesel" bought from forecourts and filling stations is known as 5%. That is, it is 95% DERV and 5% "biodiesel" THAT, is why it's so expensive. The government does not currently condone the sale of 100% biodiesel, nor do most manufacturers allow you to use it without voiding your warranty!

bio diesel from morrisons is advertised as B30 which means it is a 30% mix also some other companies such as BIOFLO are advertising 100% biodiesel and that is still the same price as regular diesel! the 5% that you are on about is a minimum mix to meet the standards of EN590 which they are trying to change to at least B20

ok neck wound in.

but "people reckon they can make bio for around 15p per litre! how can the filling stations justify this sort of mark up?"

it's a bit obvious why it's more expensive no?

sorry not being funny just thought that bio was supposed to be a cheap alternative to diesel but obviously not!

Mine costs about 20 pence a litre to make, and my TD5 Disco loves it.

Runs far smoother on Bio, right up to 100%, but I usually run a 50-50 mix.

CharlesY

is Bio really better for the enviroment when thousands of acres of rain forrest land in Indonesia and other third world/poorer countries are being deforrested in favor of Bio producing crops and the money it generates..?

the green brigade tend to forget all about that just before they go off on their Urang-utan rehabilitation missions

battenberg said:

is Bio really better for the enviroment when thousands of acres of rain forrest land in Indonesia and other third world/poorer countries are being deforrested in favor of Bio producing crops and the money it generates..?

the green brigade tend to forget all about that just before they go off on their Urang-utan rehabilitation missions

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OK that is mostly a valid point for Commercial Production as they buy fresh unused veg oil (known as SVO), however most of the 'Green Brigade' make theirs from Waste oil (which usually goes down the drain or to land fill) and only gives back the carbon that the plant (soya, rapeseed etc) took in during it's life... therefore carbon neutral.

The reason commercial plants charge so much is the cost of Waste Collection permits and your friendly Tax Man!

A home brewer does not pay tax on the bio fuel under 2500 litres per year. however if he sells 1 litre, he needs permits and to pay fuel duty on all fuel produced!

So why doesn't everyone use it?... simple, not enough WVO to go around, which would then mean converting food crop and forrest to veg oil production... and we all starve. :blabla:

There's not enough WVO to go around, but there is loads of the stuff- and it should all be recylced most of it isn't so that's a starting point. The bio diesel place in Sheffield (which under cuts DERV prices) collect from Chippies and Indian Restaurants, if every drop from fast food places went into cars that would be a significant reduction in landfill and carbon and get people of our cases as drivers of 'gas guzzlers'.

"Ordinary" diesel will have up to 10% bio in it anyway - EU regs. The Morrisons has more, and as bio generally has a higher cetane number it should perform better - cleaner burn, more mpg. The B figure gives the percentage bio, so B30 has 30%. Although you can make it cheaply yourself from used chip oil, you still have to buy/make the kit and put in chemicals and, if you're a commercial outfit, pay tax, so the price advantage can be quite small. "New" bio probably doesn't have a price advantage. The demand, especially from Germany, is very high and has pushed the price up.
I find up to 50% bio gives me better performance in the TD5, comparable to BP Ultimate. If you have a new motor using bio will void the warranty, except for some Mercs and VWs.

does it matter what sort of cooking oil is used because if cooking oil is collected from chippies and resteraunts how do you know whether the oil is suitable or crap? is bio easy to make as i have seen a demo on youtube and it looks quite technical and time consuming. i used brand new rapeseed oil straight out of the drum and into my tank from local cash and carry until the price shot up to £17 for 20ltr so now its not worth it.

colinl said:

does it matter what sort of cooking oil is used because if cooking oil is collected from chippies and resteraunts how do you know whether the oil is suitable or crap? is bio easy to make as i have seen a demo on youtube and it looks quite technical and time consuming. i used brand new rapeseed oil straight out of the drum and into my tank from local cash and carry until the price shot up to £17 for 20ltr so now its not worth it.

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I've been told that used Chinese restaurant oil is no good. May be true. Who knows. Do a quick google and you'll find plenty of companies who sell the kit and the knowhow to make bio-diesel. Used to be MANY threads on here as well. Don't be tempted just to strain it through a pair of tights.
Also depends on your engine. COOKING OIL IS NOT THE SAME AS BIO-DIESEL. TD5 does NOT like cooking oil but runs well on 50% bio. Older engins fine on neat veg oil.