Lead an examined life bio fuels

Turn your surf wagon into a lean, green eco machine. It’s not that hard. All you need is a diesel car and some nearby restaurants that really don’t want their oil anymore. Follow these easy steps to be an eco warrior.

This maybe stating the obvious, but don’t try to convert your petrol car to run on bio fuel! We’re assuming you have a diesel vehicle. There are options for petrol cars, but this guide is intended for diesels only.

Check the instruction manual, under fuel, and find out what your car is supposed to run on. If your car was designed to run on anything other than regular diesel (mineral diesel) it will be clearly stated in the manual. Usually bio fuel will be referred to as RME, which means Rapeseed Methyl Ester.

If the manual states that you can run on 100 per cent RME, you are in luck. If the manual states that you can only run on 5 per cent RME then you will have to skip to the end of this guide, and look at Where to Buy.

Terminology and myths

Now, this you need to know about RME. Let’s be clear, RME is biodiesel, which is banded around as a general term. But biodiesel is in fact rape oil, or similar oil, which has been grown, harvested, and then thinned to run in your vehicle.

The process involves the vegetable oil being mixed with amongst other things lye and methanol to produce biodiesel. Bear in mind both main ingredients are toxic. Lye is in fact used in drain cleaner. So once the process has taken place, you end up with biodiesel and an inert bi-product called glycerol. Most biodiesel refineries have a problem getting rid of glycerol, as it isn’t any use to anyone.

This process is called transesterification, it’s quite intensive, uses toxic chemicals and creates useless bi-products.

You also need to be aware of where the rape or source oil is coming from. One of the current arguments against biodiesel is that huge areas of ancient forest are being cleared to make way for crops to be grown. This is a particularly a problem in Asia, with palm oil plantations. Usually, there is no obvious way of finding out.

All this aside, biodiesel is an effective carbon-neutral fuel. The transesterification is simply to thin the fuel enough to meet the standards needed to pump it through your vehicles diesel injection system. Various approval ratings apply, in the UK, EN and BS labels apply.

European specification EN14214 relates to transesterified biodiesel. In the UK, it is most commonly blended at 5 per cent by volume into existing diesel to produce EN590. Motor manufacturers warrant their vehicles to run on EN590, although some manufacturers are happy at 10-30 per cent, provided it is a respected supplier (please check with the vehicle manufacturer before using).

"WVO is the oil which is drained from the fryers and cookers you find in restaurants and chips shops"

So where does that leave you, and what do you do now?

We’re not saying don’t use biodiesel, it’s a carbon neutral fuel and has got to be advantageous to the environment.

But, if your car will run on 100 per cent RME, there’s every chance it will run on something far better, and that’s Waste Vegetable Oil, or WVO as its known.

WVO is the oil which is drained from the fryers and cookers you find in restaurants and chips shops. It is the same oil which is grown to make into RME, cooking oils and other products, however this time its used to cook food. Rapeseed oil and nut oils are the main oils used to make cooking oil. Other oils tend to flavour food too much.

The oil is drained, filtered and then thinned using a different process, not transesterification. The products which are added are only a natural pine oil, and a fraction of a per cent of anti-coking agent, to keep your engine clean. A heat process separates the oil into different levels of performance, from regular diesel to a Vaseline-like grease, which can be used in wood burners and solid fuel appliances.

So you’re taking a waste product, which restaurants have to pay to get rid of (some simply tip it away down the drain, and that ends up in the rivers and oceans), and turning it into something reusable.

How does it run?

On a warm engine, better than mineral diesel. Your diesel engine concept was dreamt up by Doctor Rudolph Diesel, hence the name. His engine was designed to run on peanut oil, and was supposed to provide an alternative to petrol engines, when petrol was scarce. You’ll get increased performance because it slightly lubricates the upper part of the cylinder, and better mpg with it.

On a cold engine, it doesn’t start well. That’s why we use mineral diesel, it has a higher cetane rating, which means it will ignite better from cold. So, in the summer you’re fine, in the winter, mix it fifty/fifty with normal diesel, and it will start fine.

Anything else?

Change your fuel filter when you change fuels. This will give you fuel system a fighting chance of dealing with a slighter thicker fuel.

If you are a DIY enthusiast, then you can also try your hand at changing the fuel line to the engine. It's a bit of a hassle, but installing a thicker delivery line will ensure any clogs are avoided. You may also want to install a pump at the rear of the car, to push the WVO through the fuel line. This helps when the engine is cold to ensure the diesel pump is not being overworked.

"Your diesel engine concept was dreamt up by Doctor Rudolph Diesel... and designed to run on peanut oil"

Where to buy bio fuels and any other useful links

If you want to buy Biodiesel, try www.biodieselfillingstations.co.uk, they have a list of people who sell in your area.

Buying WVO, try Bio Power UK, they will be able to advise you on suitability, twin tank conversions and making the fuel for yourself.

A small electric pump can be housed under the car, we fitted the Facet model 40105, try Glencoe Ltd or Facet-Purolator, where they are very reasonably priced.

So it's not that difficult to find the fuel, and even convert your car to cope. And then you'll be hanging ten, safe in the knowledge it didn't cost the earth.

Clean Conditions at Freshwater

Layne Beachley announces retirement

Lewin confident at El Confital

Kelly Slater secures ninth ASP World Title in Spain

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing to offer record $815,000

Hawaiian test for British quartet