Running Biodiesel in a Multi Fuel heater ?

[97CV]

Can I run Biodiesel in my Multi Fuel Heater ?

I recently bought this... The 160 model.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200577765_200577765

http://www.usaprocom.com/product_category.php?choice=1&sid=38535&prod=38536

Bio burns cleaner so I'd like to investigate this further.

I live in MI so I also have to consider the gel point too. So if I can run it how much Kerosene would I have to add ?

Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.

 

[racingtadpole]

Not quite on that scale, I used to run my multifuel stove on my home made bio to heat up drums of solid fat. I had to replace the o-rings and seals with Viton ones after a few uses. Also had to adjust the jetting to get it running at its best, but that was more because of the design of the stove than anything else.

If that heater can run on diesel I would imagine you should be able to run it on bio without too many issues. If you can keep the bio from gelling you should be able to run it neat without any issues. If you need to add diesel or kero its just a case of trial and error until you find the point where you can add the least amount of kero or diesel to prevent the bio from gelling.

Hope thats of some help to you.

 

[97CV]

Ok.

So what if I start from the other direction.

Begin with 80% diesel and 20% B/D, Then work my way down in a very controlled and measured batch by batch method.


I have two concerns. How will this atomize like regular diesel in this heater and what about the ignighter and carbon build up?

 

[racingtadpole]

Bio diesel is a direct substitute for fossil fuel diesel it should atomize in the same way. I have run my diesel ute on 100% biodiesel, its not a common rail, but the fuel still has to go through injectors that spray the fuel into the engine. What Im getting at here is that the spray into the engine is the same regardless of the fuel.
Biodiesel is also a cleaner burning fuel so you shouldnt have issues with carbon build up on the igniter.
Bio made from vegetable oil has a lower energy output than diesel, bio made from animal fat has more, so depending on which one you are using, you will eaither get more or less BTU than rated out of the heater. I can tell you my ute had approx 8% (tested on a dyno) more power when run on animal fat B100, doesnt sould like a lot but it was noticable from the drivers seat. The 4.3% less on the veg oil B100 was noticable from the drivers seat also.
If you wish to start with a high ratio of Diesel to Bio, that would work too.

 

[rlitman]

The spray into the engine may work the same in a high pressure diesel nozzle, but a multi-fuel heater uses MUCH lower pressure to atomize the diesel. You will see different results with bio-diesel.
Also, bio-diesel may have a different flashpoint, and different volatility, even if the cetane rating (the best indicator of how it will run in a diesel engine) is the same. So, it will likely react differently as a heating fuel.

Listen to 97CV, and try it out in increasing concentrations.