Houseboating Adventures - Issue 18 - (Page 12)

HBA: How complicated is it to convert to bio-diesel? SH: The real beauty of bio-diesel is that it can be used in conventional diesel machinery without any conversion being required. Bio-diesel will act as a solvent in an older diesel tank, so with older boats, it will clean out the fuel system. A boater would have to be ready with extra fuel filters and after a while older machinery will run better on bio-diesel. I ran my new engines and generator on biodiesel from the beginning so I never had any conversion issues. All I had were warranty issues. The manufacturers don't have any history with bio-diesel and apparently have never done any testing. But still Yanmar makes a point in their warranty handbook that a B5 bio-diesel blend is acceptable. To me, B5 is not bio-diesel; it's still petroleum. In my boat I burn B100. HBA: What are the specific properties that make this a green fuel? SH: First and foremost is the fact that this fuel is made from plants. Bio-diesel is biodegradable. It is non-toxic and does not pollute our atmosphere in any significant amount compared to petroleum fuels. I run my generator and mains with a fuel made from plants: soybeans, corn, sunflowers and now, green algae. Green algae makes the most pure bio-diesel. It is also the best because it will not compete with or affect the cost of our food. In fact, bio)6B@" A05("%C&5AB9&@ diesel refineries are now being set up to use the carbon dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants to fuel the growth of green algae for bio-diesel production. Is that green or what! Recycling at it's very best! HBA: What about carbon monoxide emissions? Are they the same as regular diesel? SH: The carbon monoxide content in bio-diesel emissions are nearly 50% less than the carbon monoxide content of petroleum diesel. But that is just one indicator of how much cleaner bio-diesel is. The hydrocarbon emission is 80% less. The nitrate emission is 90% less. The sulfate emission is 100% less, zero. The exhaust does not smell like french fries or taco chips, but it doesn't smell like an old truck stop either. HBA: How available is the fuel? SH: Well here's a problem. I keep my boat in Page, Arizona at Unlimited Houseboat Services during the winter and at Antelope Point Marina during the summer when it's launched. There is no bio-diesel in Page. No doubt because there is no demand for it except by me. I pick my bio-diesel up in Las Vegas on my way to Page. It's really not so bad. I have to go through Vegas anyway, so we pick up 2 or 3 55 gallon barrels every time we go through and store them at Unlimited Houseboats. We return the

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Houseboating Adventures - Issue 18

Houseboating Adventures - Issue 18 Editor's Desk Desert Ritual River Dream Boatel 2007 Top Houseboating Accessories 2007 Impact Design of the Year 2007 Comeback Company of the Year Florida A-Z The Perfect Florida Houseboat Under Thirty Feet? Adventure Guide

Houseboating Adventures - Issue 18

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