I was asked about using veggie oil in heavy haulage vehicles.
What follows is my response.
Please feel free to critique it.
I have no experience with cooking oil use in heavy haulage vehicles.
However, diesel engines will happily run on vegetable oils. The main things to consider are:
1. Common rail injection - there is little experience in using vegetable oil in CRD engines. Alexander Noac (www.greasenergy-shop.com) does conversion on CRD engines, including modification of the computer program to ensure optimal combustion of the vegetable oil fuel.
2. Direct or indirect injection - CRD engines are Direct Injection, so see above.
- Direct injection (non CRD) engines normally require to have a 2 tank system so that it can be shut down on diesel, to prevent polymerisation (gumming) of oil in the Injectors.
- Indirect Injection engines may be used with vegetable oils, see below:
3. Inline or Rotary Injection pump. If it has a Rotary injection pump it may require a 2 tank system to prevent strain on the Injection Pump when cold starting.
4. Climate:
- Tropical climates allow greater usage of vegetable oils without heating the tank, fuel line or fuel filter.
- Temperate climates may require heating of fuel filter to prevent filter blockages due to solidification of the high melting point components of the oil (animal fats, hydrogenated oils). Selection of oil sources for those who provide a low melting point oil may allow operation without heating the filter.
- Cold climates may require filter, fuel line and tank heating to allow cold weather use.
5. Oil types
- Animal fats and Hydrogenated oils. These solidify at temperatures below 30°C and may require heated fuel system, even in tropical climes.
- Liquid vegetable oils. Depending on the history of the oil, these may also contain Animal Fats or Hydrogenated oils. A test to determine the point at which these oils solidify will be useful in determining their usefulness in your climate. Less than 10% of the oil solidifying at the coldest overnight temperature would be the most I would consider using, unless blended with diesel (or petrol - at up to 10% concentration).
This is just some thoughts I have put together to help you with your choices and the fuel you wish to use.
The above is when using 100% or low diesel % blends. If used as a diesel fuel extender at lower percentages (say 10 - 50% with diesel), then you may be able to use the oil in colder climates or in different diesel engines.
What follows is my response.
Please feel free to critique it.
I have no experience with cooking oil use in heavy haulage vehicles.
However, diesel engines will happily run on vegetable oils. The main things to consider are:
1. Common rail injection - there is little experience in using vegetable oil in CRD engines. Alexander Noac (www.greasenergy-shop.com) does conversion on CRD engines, including modification of the computer program to ensure optimal combustion of the vegetable oil fuel.
2. Direct or indirect injection - CRD engines are Direct Injection, so see above.
- Direct injection (non CRD) engines normally require to have a 2 tank system so that it can be shut down on diesel, to prevent polymerisation (gumming) of oil in the Injectors.
- Indirect Injection engines may be used with vegetable oils, see below:
3. Inline or Rotary Injection pump. If it has a Rotary injection pump it may require a 2 tank system to prevent strain on the Injection Pump when cold starting.
4. Climate:
- Tropical climates allow greater usage of vegetable oils without heating the tank, fuel line or fuel filter.
- Temperate climates may require heating of fuel filter to prevent filter blockages due to solidification of the high melting point components of the oil (animal fats, hydrogenated oils). Selection of oil sources for those who provide a low melting point oil may allow operation without heating the filter.
- Cold climates may require filter, fuel line and tank heating to allow cold weather use.
5. Oil types
- Animal fats and Hydrogenated oils. These solidify at temperatures below 30°C and may require heated fuel system, even in tropical climes.
- Liquid vegetable oils. Depending on the history of the oil, these may also contain Animal Fats or Hydrogenated oils. A test to determine the point at which these oils solidify will be useful in determining their usefulness in your climate. Less than 10% of the oil solidifying at the coldest overnight temperature would be the most I would consider using, unless blended with diesel (or petrol - at up to 10% concentration).
This is just some thoughts I have put together to help you with your choices and the fuel you wish to use.
The above is when using 100% or low diesel % blends. If used as a diesel fuel extender at lower percentages (say 10 - 50% with diesel), then you may be able to use the oil in colder climates or in different diesel engines.
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