In the past Fuel was derived from natural sources, when possible. Oil During that time was known to come from plants, Animals, and from natural pools. Prior to the 1800s, the majority of lighting oil in the world was hemp seed oil. During the 1800s whale oil became as popular as hemp oil, but during that century, whales became less abundant, and producers looked for new ways to obtain petroleum which in the past was collected through methods such as by skimming it off the tops of ponds, or in places where it was naturally seeping from the ground. In 1859 new technology created the world’s first oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania, at 21 meters below ground it produced 3,000 liters per day. With so much oil being pumped, with virtually no effort, production wells sprouted up all over the world, vegetable based oils were essential forgotten. Though some individuals recognized that the burning of petroleum was not a good solution, as petroleum is a non-renewable resource, and would eventually run out. These individuals would often point to alcohol or hemp as the solution.
"The fuel of the future is going to come from fruit like that sumac out by the road, or from apples, weeds, sawdust -- almost anything...There is fuel in every bit of vegetable matter that can be fermented. There's enough alcohol in one year's yield of an acre of potatoes to drive the machinery necessary to cultivate the fields for a hundred years."
Henry Ford (1925: New York Times: Ethyl alcohol -the fuel of the future)
Petroleum Production is every increasing, but it is expected that by either 2026-2047, the earth will run out of fossil-based fuels. Until that time the price will ever increase, until countries and people are no longer willing to pay the price for the fuel. Once people give up the fossil fuels, vegetable based fuels will become once again be a popular solution, and the deadly emissions which have consumed the earth over the century and a half due to heavy fossil fuel will cease, and over time the earth’s environment shall recover.
Benefits of Hemp BioDiesel
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine. It can be stored anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored.
Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt, and has a high flashpoint of about 300 F compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of 125 F.
Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as hemp.
Biodiesel is a proven fuel with over 30 million successful US road miles, and over 20 years of use in Europe.
When burned in a diesel engine, biodiesel replaces the exhaust odor of petroleum diesel with the pleasant smell of hemp, popcorn or French fries.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel in the US to complete EPA Tier I Health Effects Testing under section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act, which provide the most thorough inventory of environmental and human health effects attributes that current technology will allow.
Biodiesel is 11% oxygen by weight and contains no sulfur. The use of biodiesel can extend the life of diesel engines because it is more lubricating than petroleum diesel fuel, while fuel consumption, auto ignition, power output, and engine torque are relatively unaffected by biodiesel.
Farming 6% of the continental U.S. acreage with biomass crops would provide all of America's energy needs.
Hemp is Earth's number-one biomass resource; it is capable of producing 10 tons per acre in four months.
Biomass can be converted to methane, methanol, or gasoline at a cost comparable to petroleum, and hemp is much better for the environment. Pyrolysis (charcoalizing), or biochemical composting are two methods of turning hemp into fuel.
Hemp can produce 10 times more methanol than corn.
Hemp fuel burns clean. Petroleum causes acid rain due to sulfur pollution.
The use of hemp fuel does not contribute to global warming.
Hemp Car
The Hemp Car (http://www.hempcar.org/) was powered by Hemp fuel. The car toured America, with stops in Canada, frequenting alternative-energy, environmental, and hemp-legalization events. The car departed from Washington D.C. on July 4, 2001 and returned home on October 2, 2001. On 600 Gallons of hemp fuel, it was able to make a 13,000 mile journey across 50 cities spanning 92 days of travel. The car generated publicity, emphasizing the utility of industrial hemp to modern society.
How to Make Hemp Fuel
The unfortunate problem with making hemp fuel is the obtaining of hemp seed. Due to the legal issues in some nations with the growing of hemp, it may not be possible to make hemp fuel at low cost. If you take into account the cost of having a foreign farm grow the hemp, and than transport it to you, the costs may exceed 100 dollars per gallon. Though, if you grow your own hemp, you can happily make your own hempseed oil fuel for less than a dollar per gallon.
How to Make Bio Diesel Titration of Free Fatty Acids
1. Measure Free Fatty Acid content of your oil: Mix 1 ml oil with 10 ml Isopropyl alcohol = 2 drops phenolthalian solution (available in from a chemistry supplier).
2. Drop-wise add 0.1% lye solution (1 gm lye in one liter water) until the solution stays pink for 10 seconds. (20 drops = 1 ml) Record the milliliters of 0.1% lye solution used.
3. You will need 200 ml of methanol per liter of Hemp Seed oil.
4. Sodium Methoxide For each liter of hemp seed oil you need one gram of granular solid lye for each ml of 0.1% lye solution used in titration of free fatty acids plus 3.5 grams. Completely dissolve the proper amount of Lye in the methanol. This combined mixture makes sodium methoxide.
5.Transesterfication Once the lye catalyst is dissolved completely so that there is no sediment, then the oil may be added to the methanol lye mixture while mixing continuously(a blender can be used for this, depending on size of batch)
-At first the mixture becomes thicker, then thinner as the reaction proceeds. 6. Collect samples every 5 minutes with an eye dropper into a test tube or clear container.
-The Mixture will separate into a light top layer of bio diesel and a darker bottom layer of glycerin, soap and catalyst. 7. Continued mixing 30 - 60 minutes until the yield remains constant.
8. Wait 30-60 Minutes, while the mixture settles into two distinct layers.
9. Wait at least 8 hours, than pour off and store the top layer (aka, the biofuel) in another container.
Special Notes:
A. Some catalysts, such as alcohol, and glycerin may remain in the biofuel mix, which could cause engine problems, so for long term engine reliability this raw fuel should be rinsed with water. Gently at first then more vigorously, until the rinse water is clear and the pH of the rinse water is the same pH as the supply water.
B.Drying Water in the bio Diesel, can cause it to become cloudy, so it must be carefully heated. At 100 C most of the water coalesces and falls to the bottom. This water must be completely removed from the bottom of the container before heating to higher temperature.
CAUTION! Wear protective clothing and eyewear.
FAILURE TO REMOVE THIS WATER BEFORE FURTHER HEATING CAN CAUSE VIOLENT ERUPTION OF HOT LIQUID!
Once all water has been removed then heat the bio diesel to 300 f (150 c) to complete dryness. Cool, filter, and store bio diesel in a well marked dry closed container.
C.This fuel may be mixed in any ratio with petroleum diesel. Dynamometer tests indicate full power output with up to 75% reduction in soot and particles. No engine modification is needed to burn bio diesel fuel.
Hemp is an ideal solution for our present day fuel needs, clean, and easy to make. No longer do you need to rely on foreign nation’s natural resources, for you can grow and make your own fuel at home. Another fantastic benefit of Hemp.
arooka
0 Comments