I’ve been buying B100 BioDiesel from a fellow who delivers the stuff to my driveway. First batch of 67 gallons seemed to work just fine. Truck exhaust smelled fine, and after one replacement fuel filter I thought I was set.
Then I got a second batch of B100 from the same fellow, a lovely 110 gallons in two 55 gallon drums. Price went up by .50cents a gallon, and the quality went down quite a bit.
I ran about 10 gallons in the truck and immediately I noticed that the B100 seemed a bit thick. So I pulled off a sample, and continued to fill the truck up to the halfway mark. I had a funny feeling, that said to not go any further than this. Took the sample and put back under the boat canopy where I forgot about it until the next day. Next day I find this!
Holy crap! &*&^%@#!
Gathered myself up and headed over to the BioDiesel Forums where kind folks helped diagnose the problem.
Number one diagnosis: Soap in the fuel due to incomplete reaction in the conversion from WVO to BioDiesel.
Number two diagnosis: Soap in the fuel due to incomplete reaction in the conversion from WVO to BioDiesel, and inadequate washing and drying.
Number three diagnosis: Just plain poor conversion.
Suggestion: Take a liter or so of the Bad B100 and try to wash it with an equal amount of water. This is what I got:
The top layer is BioDiesel, the center layer is Soap, and the bottom layer is water. There should be two layers, BioDiesel and clear water. The Mayonnaise looking layer is bad and will gum up the fuel tank the fuel filter, and perhaps the injection pump and injectors. Not a good situation.
Letting it rest overnight I get this:
It’s separated out better, but that center layer, at the most should only be a very thin, thin line if there at all.
I am bummed.
Up next, I will siphon off the BioDiesel at the top of the jar, and try to re-wash and see if any more soap is generated.
Will also test the BioDiesel using the “27/3” method, and will try to reprocess an unwashed batch of the Bad BioDiesel and see if that corrects things.
I’m still bummed. And though the Producer of the Bad BioDiesel has said he’ll take care of it and make things right, I have my doubts.