Any ideas on the best value for a home biodiesel system. I am a pipefitter/plumber by trade and have access to most any pumps,holding tanks,pipe/tube,and fittings. Am I better off buying a system that is built or making one myself ? A buddy just coverted his Ford to run on veggie oil but I want the versatility of refined bio to run in my generater boat truck and tractor.Any advice appreciated. Phil

 

Do a Google search for appleseed processor.

Most Biodiesel forums recommed that system as best bang for the buck.

 

Appleseed's OK but you can do better. There's a listing on both CL and ebay for 35-gal stainless tanks with heaters already built in, with cone bottoms and multiple fittings already plumbed. It'd make a great reactor vessel.
Also on ebay is a guy selling a cone to fit on the bottom of a 55-gal drum. That'll be my next processor- all metal.
I've been using the same Harbor Freight "blue" clearwater pump as the processor pump for almost 6 years with no problems. Head on over to the infopop forum on biodiesel and search "GL method". It's been a Godsend.
PM me if you want to talk about it. 9,000+ gallons over the last 6 years.

 

I am getting ready to build my own set up with a partner. I will update you guys with our progress. He is an engineer and want to make it completely automated. We shall see.

 

I have been using the appleseed processor for three years. It works fine. You also need seatling and dewatering set up as well as washing and drying. I use 55 gal drums with bottom cut out and stand pipe drains for this. I filter with 100 mesh nylon bags. After the final dry time I use vacumn pump and pull thru a 10 micron water filter, back to the processor to be pumped out to storage. With transfer pumps, storage tanks, and titrating kit you have lots of stuff to purchase. With methanol at $306 a drum and potassium hydrauxide at $.75 a pound it costs me $1.15 per gal for BD. Then you will need heaters for winter processing and for the truck. So will have some cost for power as well.
Your time is worth something also. I am retired and do not have a diesel retailer within 30 miles. So for me it is worth the trouble.
Good luck

 

Making biodiesel had got to be one of the coolest things I've done. However, that being said, it is a huge time commitment and a lot of work.

I was in your position at first and didn't know if I should buy an already made up system or build my own. I finally took the advise of most and built my own appleseed processor. One of the biggest advantages is you will learn all about it in the process and understand how to fix or upgrade things along the way or in the future.

The appleseed produces some awesome biodiesel but I'm sure in time you will refine your process and/or processor as you gain more experience and see what works for you and what doesn't.

As mentioned before, the processor is only the beginning. You need a dewatering tank, a wash tank, and drying tank.

I'm not trying to discourage you in any way, I think you should do it, but it is a lot of work especially if you are collecting your own WVO.

The infopop website is like a bible to me and has lots of good information.

Good luck.