Rajan Wilcox
Black diesel is a substitute fuel for diesel engines that can be made by de-acidifying selected used engine or transmission oils and blending with kerosene to adjust the viscosity. The process is not complicated and usually does not require changes to the stock engine and fuel system configuration. However, it is important to note that black diesel is not suitable for all vehicles, particularly newer models with high-pressure fuel injection systems. The use of black diesel has been associated with increased smoke and reduced engine performance in some cases. To make black diesel, waste engine oil is mixed with lighter oil, gasoline, or diesel fuel and filtered to remove impurities. The ratio of waste oil to lighter oil can vary depending on the type of engine and climate, with older engines and hotter climates allowing for a thicker mixture. Overall, while making black diesel can be a viable option for some, it requires careful processing and consideration of potential risks to engine components.
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Filtering oil
Preparing the Oil for Filtration
Before beginning the filtration process, it is important to prepare the oil properly. Firstly, waste engine oil should be mixed and thinned down to ensure it can run through your fuel system. The ratio of thickness will depend on the type of engine you are using. As a general rule, older engines and hotter climates allow for thicker oil, while newer engines may require thinner oil.
It is also beneficial to store the oil in large containers with drains at the bottom for several weeks or even months. This allows the oil to settle and separate into layers. The bottom layer will be dirt, followed by water, then a layer of mayonnaise, and finally, the good oil at the top. Drain off the contaminants until you reach the good black oil before proceeding to the filtration process.
Choosing the Right Filters
The choice of filters is critical to ensure effective oil filtration. Engine oil filters are typically around 20 microns, so using a finer filter will help improve the quality of your oil. It is recommended to use a multi-stage filtration process with filters of varying micron sizes. For example, you can use a pillowcase as a 75-micron bag, followed by a 5-micron bag, and finally a 1-micron bag. This prevents the finer filters from clogging up quickly.
Setting Up the Filtration System
For the filtration setup, you can use a large oil drum by cutting off the top for easy access. Drill holes in the top and bottom parts of the drum so that it can be tied together with wire or string. Cut a 6" round hole in the top of the drum, and place your filter bags inside, ensuring that the lip of the bag sits on top of the drum. The filters should be nested inside each other to allow for a single-pass filtration process.
Filtering the Oil
Once your filtration system is set up, you can begin pouring your mixed fuel or settled oil through the filter bags. Ensure that the micron size of your final filter matches or is finer than the fuel filter in your vehicle. For example, if your fuel filter is 2 microns, using a 1-micron bag for your final filtration step will help ensure a cleaner fuel.
Additional Considerations
It is important to note that the type of engine and vehicle can impact the blend of oil and diesel. Mechanical injection engines typically work well with waste oil fuel, while gravity feed fuel systems may require adding a fuel pump. Additionally, seasonal temperatures can affect the thickness of the oil, with cooler temperatures requiring more thinning.
Always exercise caution when working with fuels and oils, and ensure you have the proper knowledge and equipment for the filtration process.
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Blending oil
When blending oil to make black diesel, it is important to start with clean oil. The oil should be filtered to remove any sludge, metal particles, and abrasive particles that could damage injection equipment. This can be achieved through a process of centrifugal filtering, where the oil is heated and pumped through a filter, or by using a gravity filter with tight paper towel rolls as the filtering element.
The ratio of oil to the blending substance is important and can vary depending on the specific blend and the vehicle's requirements. Some common ratios mentioned include 50/50, 60/40, and 70/30 blends of oil to diesel or gasoline. It is important to experiment and find the right ratio that works for your specific engine, as too high of a percentage of oil can cause power loss and smoke. Additionally, seasonal temperatures can affect the blend, with more thinning required in cooler temperatures.
When blending oil, it is crucial to avoid certain substances that can be harmful to the fuel system. For example, blending black diesel with vegetable oil or biodiesel can contaminate the entire fuel system. Solvents like acetone and toluene should also be avoided, as they can be hard on rubber parts in the fuel system. Instead, diesel, gasoline, kerosene, or jet fuel can be used as common solvents to thin the oil and create the desired blend.
Overall, blending oil to make black diesel fuel requires careful experimentation and an understanding of your specific engine's requirements. It is important to follow safety precautions and guidelines when working with these substances and to ensure that the oil is properly filtered and blended to avoid any damage to your vehicle's fuel system.
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Deacidifying oil
Deacidification is a crucial process in the crude oil refining industry, as it helps eliminate free fatty acids (FFA) that can cause an irritating odour and accelerate the hydrolysis rancidity rate of neutral oil. Here is a detailed guide on deacidifying oil, a critical step in making black diesel fuel:
Alkali Refining (Chemical Deacidification)
One of the most widely used deacidification methods is alkali refining, also known as chemical deacidification. This process involves mixing oil with a sodium hydroxide solution at temperatures between 70°C and 80°C for 1 to 15 minutes. The concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution depends on the level of FFA in the crude oil. The mixture forms a slurry, which is then centrifuged to separate the soapstock from the oil. The oil is then washed with water to remove any remaining soapstock. For continuous processes, a series of centrifuges are used to separate neutral oil from soapstock, and the refined oil is passed through a vacuum dryer to eliminate residual moisture.
Steam Distillation (Physical Deacidification)
Steam distillation is another common deacidification method, which involves using steam to physically remove FFA from the oil. This method is often used in conjunction with alkali refining to ensure effective FFA removal.
Solvent Extraction (Mixed Deacidification)
Solvent extraction is a mixed deacidification method that utilizes a solvent, typically hexane, to treat the crude oil. The crude oil is dissolved in the solvent and then mixed with an alkaline solution. The mixture is then centrifuged to separate the soapstock and refined miscella, with the oil still dissolved in the solvent.
Activated Alumina Process
This deacidification process is specifically designed for vegetable oils. It involves passing vegetable oil solutions in rubbing alcohol (2-propanol) through a column of activated alumina (aluminum oxide). The activated alumina absorbs FFA, and the resulting slurry is centrifuged to remove soapstock. The oil is then washed with water to ensure no soapstock remains. The refined oil is passed through a vacuum dryer to eliminate residual moisture.
Bleaching
Bleaching is a subsequent process to deacidification that can enhance the effectiveness of FFA removal. By adjusting the oil-to-alumina ratio, the amount of acid in the oil can be further reduced. This process is particularly effective for vegetable oils like sunflower oil and crude vernonia oil.
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Thinning oil
The first step in thinning oil is to determine the appropriate viscosity for your engine. This can vary depending on the type of engine, the climate, and the driving conditions. For example, older engines and hotter climates may require a thinner fuel, while direct injection engines may have specific viscosity requirements.
The next step is to choose a thinning agent. This can be another type of oil, such as lighter hydraulic oil, diesel, petrol, kerosene, or even regular gasoline. It's important to note that not all solvents are suitable for thinning oil; some, like acetone and toluene, can be harmful to certain rubber parts in the fuel system. Additionally, the choice of thinning agent can impact the burn rate of the fuel. For example, gasoline increases the burn rate, making it a popular choice for thinning oil.
The ratio of thinning agent to oil will depend on the desired viscosity and the specific thinning agent used. A general starting point is a 50/50 mix of waste engine oil and lighter oil, but this can be adjusted based on the engine's performance and the climate. For example, in colder temperatures, more thinning agent may be required to prevent the fuel from thickening. It's important to experiment with different ratios and monitor the engine's performance to find the optimal blend.
Finally, it's crucial to thoroughly mix the thinning agent and oil. Blending should be done vigorously and in stages, with each addition of thinning agent reducing the viscosity of the mixture. A good temperature for blending is around 100°F, as this helps to ensure a consistent blend.
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Using a centrifuge
Centrifuges are a highly effective method of purifying black diesel fuel. Black diesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines made from used motor oil, transmission fluid, or any mineral oil with a calorific value. It is often contaminated with sludge and water, which must be removed before use.
A black diesel centrifuge is a centrifugal device that uses centrifugal force (G-force) to separate liquids and solids into different phases. The G-force exerted by the centrifuge can separate particles down to the 0.5-micron level, which is a significant advantage over conventional filters. This process purifies the black diesel by removing water, impurities, and contaminants.
There are several types of centrifuges available, including disc stack centrifuges, which can process a high volume of black diesel, and the smaller, more compact centrifuges, which can process around 5 GPM of black diesel. The IOW Group is a leading manufacturer of oil centrifuges, which are known for their innovative designs and high-quality products. Their centrifuges use bowl discs to increase separation efficiency and dramatically reduce the time that contaminants can remain in the oil.
When using a centrifuge to purify black diesel, it is important to consider the allowable budget, the required flow rate of black diesel to be processed, and the separation duty requirements. Additionally, the oil should be blended in stages as it comes into the storage tank from the centrifuge, with blending occurring at each 20 to 25% level. The temperature of the oil is also a key factor, as cold oil is difficult to blend. A temperature of around 100°F is recommended, and blending must be done vigorously.
Overall, using a centrifuge to purify black diesel fuel offers several advantages, including increased purification efficiency, the ability to process large volumes of fuel, and the removal of impurities that would otherwise damage engines.
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Frequently asked questions
Black diesel is a substitute fuel for diesel engines. It is made by deacidifying selected used engine/trans oils and blending with a proportion of kerosene to adjust the viscosity.
You will need a centrifuge to remove the sludge and metal particles, a drum or barrel, and filter bags.
First, heat and centrifuge the oil to remove sludge and metal particles. Then, mix the waste oil with kerosene and pump it through a filter. Finally, blend the mixture with diesel.
The blend ratio depends on the type of engine, the climate, and the vehicle. A common blend is 50/50 waste engine oil and lighter oil, but this may need to be adjusted depending on the engine and climate. For example, older engines and hotter climates can use a thicker blend.
