Soy Bean oil fuel....

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Greg Sampson

Is anyone using this instead of diesel? I read something somewhere about a marina that only uses this and that it burns clean and instead of fuel odor it smells like popcorn when the engine is running. Seems like an environmentally friendly solution, but does anyone know the pros/cons or mixture?
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Not many negatives.

Greg: There are not many negatives about the product except for the cost. Normally you mix this stuff at about a 70/30 mixture. The Bio Diesel is about $5/gal. If you are paying $2/gal for diesel, then you are going to be averaging about $3/gal. Considering how much fuel most of us use each season it is not bad. If you want to check out the attributes and tests you can go to www.cytoculture.com , Randall has some facts and results of tests that have been done. They are using it in fleet buses and other types of environments too. No note, If you run a higher concentration (can be run 100% soy) you may find leaks in your older hoses on you vessel. If you use a blend below 50% or so, this is ususally not a problem.
 
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Greg Sampson

I actually just found the article...

it is in the new Soundings (july), the stuff they talk about is called B-20 and is 80% diesel and 20% soy, and is only 8 cents more per gallon. There is a guy that uses 100% soy and it does say that the pure soy can soften hoses and seals like you said. The b-20 seems like the way to go though, it emits 38% less NO2, 74% CO, and 100% less smoke, as well as acting like a solvent to clear up carbon build-up. It also has a higher ingnition temp so it is more efficient. BTW, I don't work for the maker of B-20, But I do work for an environmental engineering firm and wish that my local marina would carry the stuff, nothing worse than smelling diesel fuel! Popcorn anyone?
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
What are they charging.....

Greg: What are they charging for the B-20? We were paying $5/gal for Bio-diesel alone. In a 20% mixture this would be a premium of $.60 per gal. This is a fairly light mixture but good none the less. If you just get a 5 or 6 can of bio, you can add it to your tank. If you read the article, you will see that there is some hose that eliminates the problem with the hoses. You may already have them on your vessel too. The fellow that wrote the article (Randall) runs his Mercedes (240 or 300D) on 100% Bio.
 
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Greg

Steve, I edited my last post to include that...

the marina said 8 cents more than diesel, and they are eating the extra cost until people feel comfortable with it. where can I get the cans of the stuff and could you explain what a 5 or 6 can is? Thanks
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Here is the web site.

Greg: The 5 or 6 can was suppose to read 5-6 Gal. can. My question was, What are you paying for Diesel or Bio-diesel? We are paying around $2/gal for diesel at this time. Last year it was up around $2.80 for regular diesel (nothing added, except for the price). Here is the site for you to find the product in your area. Looks like they actually have a station in Bean town now. http://biodiesel.org/default2.htm
 
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Greg

Thanks for the link....

We are paying $1.89 at the docks for diesel, no bio in "america's hometown" (ha ha) yet, the article just piqued my interest and the bio seems beneficial in so many areas, plus, I despise the smell of diesel!
 
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Greg

I will pick up a few gallons tomorrow....

going on an evening cruise with the wife, and will let you know anything of interest on thurs. Thanks again, Greg
 
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georgelakesiii

Tastes like chicken

Actually in the Ventura marina the state uses it and it smells like french fries. Cleaner burning so it isn't bad when cold first start. I'm told that it doesn't like to be left setting along time as it will be more suseptable to organisms growing in your tank. Works better for boats with a high utilization rate.
 
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