Mercedes Mullins
Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, showcased his engine at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, where it ran on peanut oil. Since then, people have been using vegetable oil as an alternative fuel source for diesel engines. Vegetable oil can be used as fuel in its straight form (SVO) or as biodiesel (SVO that has been modified). However, there are some drawbacks to using vegetable oil as fuel, such as the need to heat the oil and the potential for it to gum up the engine if not properly filtered. Nevertheless, with rising fuel costs, some people are revisiting the idea of using vegetable oil as a fuel source.
Using Vegetable Oil as Diesel Fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Diesel engines can run on straight vegetable oil or biodiesel. |
| Engine Design | Diesel engines have a simple design that allows for virtually anything oil-based to be used as fuel. |
| Fuel Sources | Vegetable oil, animal fats (chicken, tallow, lard), omega-3 fatty acid byproducts, algae, virgin feedstock (crops), waste vegetable oil (WVO), biodiesel. |
| Fuel Preparation | The viscosity of vegetable oil must be similar to diesel fuel. Heating mechanisms or processing methods can be used to achieve this. |
| Maintenance | Vegetable oil can gum up the engine and clog injectors, requiring regular cleaning and maintenance. |
| Fuel Efficiency | Using non-waste vegetable oil is energy-negative, requiring more diesel fuel to produce it. |
| Emissions | Biodiesel and SVO have cleaner emissions and are theoretically carbon-neutral. |
| Exhaust Odor | Vegetable oil can cause a strong, unpleasant odor in the vehicle's exhaust. |
| Switching Fuels | Engines can alternate between diesel and vegetable oil, but diesel is needed to backwash and clean veg-oil lines. |
| Storage | Vegetable oil has a longer storage life than diesel fuel and can be used for cooking if it goes rancid. |
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What You'll Learn
The history of using vegetable oil as diesel fuel
In the 1970s, the first commercial enterprise offering consumers the option to run straight vegetable oil (SVO) in their automobiles, Elsbett of West Germany, was formed. This decade also saw renewed interest in vegetable oil as a diesel substitute due to periodic petroleum shortages. Research during this period focused on reducing the viscosity of vegetable oil, with South African researchers reporting the use of methyl esters of sunflower oil at technical conferences in 1980.
In the 1990s, the Bougainville conflict led to islanders using coconut oil to fuel their vehicles when cut off from oil supplies due to a blockade. Around the same time, legislative changes in the United States, such as the Clean Air Act Amendments and the Energy Policy Act, encouraged the use of alternative or "clean" fuels, contributing to a significant increase in biodiesel usage. Biodiesel, derived from various sources, including vegetable oils, gained traction due to environmental and economic concerns.
Today, biodiesel is produced through transesterification reactions, converting vegetable oil into fatty acids methyl esters. While most diesel car engines can utilize SVO or pure plant oil (PPO) with certain modifications, the viscosity and surface tension of the oil must be reduced by preheating. This is typically achieved using waste heat from the engine or electricity. Single-tank conversions, commonly used in Europe, enable reliable operation with rapeseed oil that meets the German rapeseed oil fuel standard.
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The process of converting a diesel engine
Firstly, it is crucial to understand the properties of vegetable oil and how it differs from diesel fuel. Vegetable oil has a higher viscosity (thickness) than diesel, which means it needs to be heated to reduce its viscosity and allow it to flow freely through the engine. This can be achieved by adding a heating mechanism to the fuel line or tank.
The next step is to install switching hardware for the fuel lines. This enables the engine to alternate between diesel and vegetable oil. It is important to switch back to diesel before reaching your destination to clean out the injectors as vegetable oil can clog them.
Additionally, an aftermarket pump may be required to move the vegetable oil from its tank. Some vehicles may be able to use the stock fuel pump for both fuels, but it is worth noting that the factory units may not last long when pumping vegetable oil.
It is also important to ensure that the vegetable oil is clean and warm. This may require the installation of extra heat exchangers or filters. The entire process can be challenging, especially in cramped engine spaces, and may require specialised tools such as ratcheting wrenches.
Finally, it is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of using vegetable oil as fuel. While it can be theoretically carbon-neutral and produce cleaner emissions, the effort required to clean the oil, keep it warm, and prevent it from clogging the system can be problematic. Additionally, the availability of waste vegetable oil may not be sufficient to run a large number of vehicles, and using non-waste vegetable oil can be energy-negative.
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The advantages of using vegetable oil over diesel
Using vegetable oil as fuel for diesel engines has been a topic of interest for many years, with Rudolph Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, first attempting to design an engine that ran on coal dust before turning his attention to vegetable oil. While it may not be a silver bullet, using vegetable oil as fuel does have several advantages.
Firstly, vegetable oil is a readily available resource that can be obtained from restaurants as waste cooking oil, or produced on a larger scale from plants. This reduces reliance on imported fuels and can help stabilize the vegetable oil market. In the case of waste vegetable oil, it is also a form of recycling, which can reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.
Secondly, vegetable oil can be used as an alternative fuel in diesel engines with relatively simple modifications. Most diesel car engines can be modified to use straight vegetable oil (SVO) or pure plant oil (PPO) by preheating the oil to reduce its viscosity and surface tension. This can be achieved by using waste heat from the engine or electricity, and adding a heat exchanger and an additional fuel tank for the petrodiesel or biodiesel blend.
Thirdly, vegetable oil can be blended with conventional diesel or processed into biodiesel, HVO, or bioliquids, allowing it to be used under a wider range of conditions. This versatility means that vegetable oil can be adapted to suit the specific requirements of different engines and climates.
Lastly, using vegetable oil as fuel can reduce the cost of gasoline by preserving the supply of petroleum. In theory, the production of vegetable oil for fuel is only limited by the agricultural capacity of a given economy, providing a potential long-term alternative to petroleum-derived fuels.
While there are advantages to using vegetable oil as fuel, it is important to note that there are also challenges and limitations to its use, including legal restrictions in some jurisdictions and the potential for higher maintenance costs.
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The types of vegetable oil that can be used
The viscosity of vegetable oils varies, and some are thicker than diesel fuel. This can cause issues with fuel injectors as they are designed to atomize diesel fuel for optimal burning. Thicker oils such as vegetable oils will result in a less fine spray, leading to lower mileage and higher emissions.
To address this issue, vegetable oils can be heated to reduce their viscosity and improve atomization. This is a common approach in colder climates, where vegetable oil can even solidify. Engine modifications, such as installing additional fuel tanks and heat exchangers, are often necessary to facilitate the use of vegetable oil as diesel fuel.
It is important to note that the use of vegetable oil as fuel may be illegal in some states or countries due to environmental regulations and fuel tax considerations. While vegetable oil can be used as diesel fuel, it may not provide significant cost savings or fuel efficiency compared to conventional diesel fuel.
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How to prevent vegetable oil from clogging injectors
Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, designed it to run on peanut oil. Diesel engines can run on straight vegetable oil or filtered waste vegetable oil. However, vegetable oil can clog injectors. To prevent this, you should switch back to diesel fuel before reaching your destination to clean out your injectors.
Clogged fuel injectors can be caused by hydrocarbons, sediment, and other elements in the fuel. Most fuels contain ethanol, which is hygroscopic and draws moisture from the air into the fuel. This water causes internal components to rust, and the residue from this rust can clog injectors. Smaller and older service stations may have debris and sediment in their storage tanks, which can also clog injectors.
To prevent vegetable oil from clogging injectors, it is important to keep the oil warm and prevent it from gumming up the system. It is also important to ensure that the vegetable oil is filtered before use. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning of the injectors can help prevent clogging.
There are a few ways to clean clogged fuel injectors. One method is to use a fuel injection flush, which is a cost-effective way to improve fuel injector performance. For more severe cases of clogging, an ultrasonic cleaning may be required. It is also recommended to remove the filter basket and clean any sediment and dirt built up between the pintle shaft and injector body. New filter baskets can then be installed.
Overall, while it is possible to use vegetable oil as diesel fuel, it is important to take steps to prevent clogging of the injectors through regular maintenance and cleaning.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, diesel engines can run on straight vegetable oil (SVO) or biodiesel. Biodiesel is SVO that has been modified.
You will need to install switching hardware for the fuel lines to alternate between diesel and vegetable oil. You will also need to install an aftermarket pump to move the vegetable oil from its tank and run vegetable oil fuel lines from the tank to the switching hardware, including a water-separating fuel filter with a heat exchanger.
SVO and biodiesel are theoretically carbon-neutral and have cleaner emissions than diesel. Vegetable oil is also edible and can be used for fuel if it goes rancid.
Vegetable oil can gum up the engine and requires extra maintenance to keep it warm and prevent it from clogging the injectors. It also has a distinctive and strong smell.
