This site has two major objectives. One is to raise awareness. The other primary purpose is to get more people driving on vegetable oil. So please follow the links and email me with any questions, I would be glad to hear from you.
Biodiesel and straight vegetable oil require different approaches.
- BIODIESEL: is a fuel made by the esterification of vegetable oil, which is a simple process that uses alcohol to seperate the methyl esthers from the glycerin. Biodiesel has been extensively tested and researched by the EPA and currently has approved ASTM standards which makes it an ideal alternative fuel that can be used in any UN-MODIFIED diesel engine. Plus, biodiesel is currently available on the market for not much more than petroleum diesel fuel. For more information on biodiesel see the National Biodiesel Board at www.nbb.org.
- STRAIGHT VEGETABLE OIL: As opposed to biodiesel, some modifications are required to run on straight vegetable oil. My friend Dominic and I have modified my diesel car to run on straight vegetable oil by adding an extra tank and a fuel selector valve/switch. Because most diesel engines are already suited to run on hot vegetable oil the only modification necessary is to turn the mono-fuel vehicle into a dual-fuel vehicle. The idea is to start the car with fuel from the first tank (either petroleum diesel fuel or biodiesel) and heat the second tank (filled with vegetable oil) with excess heat from the engine. When the vegetable oil in the second tank is warm enough to run through the lines and fuel injectors properly then I simply switch over and smile. I have an electric switch on my dashboard, which is connected to a fuel selector solenoid under the hood. Hence, I can switch while driving. No major changes to the car are made. The only modifications are made to the fuel delivery system. For more detailed information follow the links and/or email me.
TOP 10 REASONS to drive on vegetable oil instead of petroleum:
1. Vegetable oil is a renewable resource that can be produced domestically anywhere around the world.
2. Vegetable oil produces significantly less global warming causing greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum.
3. Vegetable oil emissions contains significantly less cancer causing particulate matter.
4. It is easily obtained for free! Just inquire at your local fast food restaurant or bar and grill.
5. It smells good.
6. No sulfur dioxides in vegetable oil emissions, thus no contribution to acid rain.
7. It is biodegradable, thus no exxon valdez disasters.
8. No nasty refineries necessary. Anyone who drives through NJ on the turnpike knows what I am talking about.
9. Your kids will love you for it, and their kids, and their kids too, also their kids and their kids, plus those kid's kids.
10. Like growing your own tomatoes, gathering your own fuel provides you with a sense of connectedness that going to a gas station will never satisfy.
A FEW QUESTIONS...
Q. Are there any odors?
A. smells like a grill, some say burgers, some say fries... but it is far from overpowering, much less than being across the street from a KFC.
Q. On a long trip, how do you refuel? I mean do you carry a vat of the stuff in your trunk?
A. Some people have mobile filtration systems so they can pull up to any restaraunt and fill up. Also, I can still drive on diesel fuel, which is available everywhere.
Q. How do you filter and store what you have gathered but have not poured into your car?
A. follow the link on the upper right side of this page to see a detailed description of my gathering and filtration method.
Q. OK I am convinced, now what do I do?
A. First, you need a suitable diesel car or truck. Then, depending upon the climate where you live you will have to do some type of conversion (see the links to conversion kits in the upper right hand corner of this page). Finally, you will have to make a relationship with a restaurant and go get your free fuel.
If you would like a private consultation on any of these steps then please contact me because I can probably help you.
Q. Have you made any other lifestyle choices that enforce your commitment to a cleaner world?
A. I am a vegetarian (ever read Diet For a Small Planet?), I attempt to consume only organically grown food, I attempt to minimize my use and disposal of synthetic chemicals for household cleaning etc...
Q. Connect, if you will, the dots between your study of philosophy and your decision to drive on grease.
A. The study of philosophy showed me the simple beauty of logical consistency. Any system must have an internal coherence or it cannot stand up to the rigors of philosophical analysis. In terms of how I choose to live my life, I felt that it was necessary to take a rational look at the everyday choices people generally tend to gloss over. In an effort to live a philosophically defensible lifestyle that is both efficient, equitable, and sustainable I had to seek alternatives to fossil fuel consumption. Needless to say, fossil fuel consumption is neither sustainable, equitable, or efficient.
