Biofuel distilled from plastics

[forager]

Hopefully This link can be pasted into browser window. Just thought this might be of interest after reading Jontte's post.about fresh water from salt water. Here's 1 more use for distillation. I've been researching this subject for the last 2 yrs. in between my other projects (when I can find the time) .



http://www.energeticforum.com/renew...n-plastic-waste-into-diesel-fuel-cheaply.html

 

[mitch321]

Hopefully This link can be pasted into browser window. Just thought this might be of interest after reading Jontte's post.about fresh water from salt water. Here's 1 more use for distillation. I've been researching this subject for the last 2 yrs. in between my other projects (when I can find the time) .



http://www.energeticforum.com/renew...n-plastic-waste-into-diesel-fuel-cheaply.html

Interesting - I am wondering how much the cost is in heating the plastic less how much fuel is recovered equals nett or deficit total benefit??

 

[forager]

Interesting - I am wondering how much the cost is in heating the plastic less how much fuel is recovered equals nett or deficit total benefit??

I don't remember the exact figure, it's been a Year or so since last reading it but if You follow his links I think it is detailed in his notes. I think it gives an electrical measurement of watts consumed over time.

 

[forager]

Interesting - I am wondering how much the cost is in heating the plastic less how much fuel is recovered equals nett or deficit total benefit??

I need to read it again to be sure, however the Pumelite in the firebrick used insulates the apparatus /contents so well he has to adjust the heat. In my experiments, a 110v element is used. I still need to acquire the material for the heat chamber but my solar panels are capable of powering a 110v heating element through the inverter, bringing the cost to minimal.

 

[mitch321]

I don't remember the exact figure, it's been a Year or so since last reading it but if You follow his links I think it is detailed in his notes. I think it gives an electrical measurement of watts consumed over time.

Thanks forager - I'll scope out his notes...

 

[forager]

Thanks forager - I'll scope out his notes...

Here is some data from my research. In order to reach the 300 degrees using 110v, I use a toaster- element. This is made of fine stainless steel wire which is very flexible so it ca be formed to the inside contours. although I haven't yet built the chamber. I found that up to 10 grams of hdpe plastic reaches melting point in less than 5 minutes. In the chamber, it must remain at that temp for at least 3 hrs. My solar panels were powering it at 300 watts so 3 hrs consumes 900 w. less than 1 kilowatt (1000 watts) or 0.3 kilowatt-hrs per batch and compute Your cost by the cost of KW H on Your bill. His is about twice the capacity, so double my figures to 0.6 KW H. per batch. You may also want to add about 10% for extra resistance that may occur from the decreased element size. Also, The size of the chamber probably needs to be smaller, to accommodate the decreased total BTU emitted at 300 degrees.. I'll update info as it becomes revel-ant in my research.

 

[forager]

Here is some data from my research. In order to reach the 300 degrees using 110v, I use a toaster- element. This is made of fine stainless steel wire which is very flexible so it ca be formed to the inside contours. although I haven't yet built the chamber. I found that up to 10 grams of hdpe plastic reaches melting point in less than 5 minutes. In the chamber, it must remain at that temp for at least 3 hrs. My solar panels were powering it at 300 watts so 3 hrs consumes 900 w. less than 1 kilowatt (1000 watts) or 0.3 kilowatt-hrs per batch and compute Your cost by the cost of KW H on Your bill. His is about twice the capacity, so double my figures to 0.6 KW H. per batch. You may also want to add about 10% for extra resistance that may occur from the decreased element size. Also, The size of the chamber probably needs to be smaller, to accommodate the decreased total BTU emitted at 300 degrees.. I'll update info as it becomes revel-ant in my research.

Correction: Mine consumes 0.9 KW H .per batch x2 not 0.3 , making his twice the cost @ 1.8 KW H per batch (but also twice the batch size).

 

[Maverick]

it would take 8 pounds of plastic to produce 1gal of fuel, it's already being done by cynar out of the UK I believe, lets put it in perspective, the world makes 500 billion pounds of plastic every year that would make twelve million five hundred thousand gallons of fuel (a year) now, in the US alone we use 368 millions gal a day that's 134 billion gallons a year.

So if the US alone took the worlds plastic for fuel, lets round up the numbers;

13 million gal made from plastic
134 billion gal is used
leaving a deficit of: one hundred thirty three billion nine hundred eighty seven million gallons of fuel

Is it worth it? everything leaves a by-product so, do we start another problem from the by-products? given the low production of fuel.

 

[forager]

it would take 8 pounds of plastic to produce 1gal of fuel, it's already being done by cynar out of the UK I believe, lets put it in perspective, the world makes 500 billion pounds of plastic every year that would make twelve million five hundred thousand gallons of fuel (a year) now, in the US alone we use 368 millions gal a day that's 134 billion gallons a year.

So if the US alone took the worlds plastic for fuel, lets round up the numbers;

13 million gal made from plastic
134 billion gal is used
leaving a deficit of: one hundred thirty three billion nine hundred eighty seven million gallons of fuel

Is it worth it? everything leaves a by-product so, do we start another problem from the by-products? given the low production of fuel.

There are still many questions about this that need researching. You can do a Google-search on bio fuel from recycled plastics and come up with enough data from researchers to keep You busy for half a day. A nation's fuel needs do not reflect the consumer's needs, so I have chosen to focus on personal use. Also, If done on a commercial level, there are cost of compliance with safety codes, insurance, security, and management to name a few. I have chosen to study it's applications for individual use and for back- up source in emergencies. Here, most studies proven by research have shown repeatedly how the standard citizen can produce at costs ranging from .20 to .80 cents/ gal. If buying from a power company. If producing from You own power, the cost is diminished to fractions amounting to chump-change as opposed to $4.00/gal. The main focus in this field of study has been on self- produced fuel and You,ll find data from working prototypes reflects these findings. The by- product is biodegradable and has no toxins left in it. The fuel burns clean- little or no emissions.

 

[mitch321]

it would take 8 pounds of plastic to produce 1gal of fuel, it's already being done by cynar out of the UK I believe, lets put it in perspective, the world makes 500 billion pounds of plastic every year that would make twelve million five hundred thousand gallons of fuel (a year) now, in the US alone we use 368 millions gal a day that's 134 billion gallons a year.

So if the US alone took the worlds plastic for fuel, lets round up the numbers;

13 million gal made from plastic
134 billion gal is used
leaving a deficit of: one hundred thirty three billion nine hundred eighty seven million gallons of fuel

Is it worth it? everything leaves a by-product so, do we start another problem from the by-products? given the low production of fuel.

This might be a case of just because it is possible to do doesn't me it warrants doing...?? There are far simpler methods of securing/producing fuels for vehicles as well as engine modifications and alternate transportation methods. Knowledge is fundamental and vital to survival in my humble opinion so it is still worth knowing how to do it.

 

[Maverick]

There are still many questions about this that need researching. You can do a Google-search on bio fuel from recycled plastics and come up with enough data from researchers to keep You busy for half a day. A nation's fuel needs do not reflect the consumer's needs, so I have chosen to focus on personal use. Also, If done on a commercial level, there are cost of compliance with safety codes, insurance, security, and management to name a few. I have chosen to study it's applications for individual use and for back- up source in emergencies. Here, most studies proven by research have shown repeatedly how the standard citizen can produce at costs ranging from .20 to .80 cents/ gal. If buying from a power company. If producing from You own power, the cost is diminished to fractions amounting to chump-change as opposed to $4.00/gal. The main focus in this field of study has been on self- produced fuel and You,ll find data from working prototypes reflects these findings. The by- product is biodegradable and has no toxins left in it. The fuel burns clean- little or no emissions.

would it not be easier to build a Wood gasifier? I am working on one for my generator. In a post SHTF energy wouldn't be as easy to come by for processing plastic into fuel

 

[forager]

would it not be easier to build a Wood gasifier? I am working on one for my generator. In a post SHTF energy wouldn't be as easy to come by for processing plastic into fuel

 

[Maverick]

did you mean to leave a statement? all I see is a quote of my post

 

[forager]

did you mean to leave a statement? all I see is a quote of my post

I'm trying to. The darn thing just erased all I wrote. I,ll try again later.

 

[forager]

would it not be easierier to build a Wood gasifier? I am working on one for my generator. In a post SHTF energy wouldn't be as easy to come by for processing plastic into fuel

Please excuse the previous glitch.
Of course, I'd use the wood, too if You have an abundance of it around You. There are a lot of information sites I saw with layouts for wood gasifiers making a methanol based fuel, Methyl alcohol, and others. One of the advantages I liked about plastic other than being free is the shredded stuff can store easily in a compact form and great Quantities can be stored in a small space. I built a shredder using 42 saw blades on a shaft. It worked well a couple of runs then the shaft bent. Rather than repair and modify the shaft' I bought a wood chipper. Others have told me they work great for plastic too, so we'll see if it's true. A lot of people would be near the suburbs at SHTF . Masses of the stuff are always available near cities. As for power, I have no shortage of ways to make electricity considering all the solar cells I have at my disposal. I'll try to download a pic of one of my solar arrays. This one has space for 12 panels at 30 watts ea. 3 are mounted here which supply 4 rooms currently.
There is a capacitor bank of 12 caps with a backup of 5 deep cell 12 v batteries.

I hope this pic takes copies. Anyway, The caps are capable of starting a 100-amp load if neccessary at 120v and my 1000 watt inverter delivers it very nicely.