Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

I have long felt that the one problem for diesel is the residuel smell of the kero based fuel. I know that the true diesel lovers say that's the best part and that's fine for them but to get others interested in diesel we need to address this. I know there have been several posts on this board about using Biodiesel in place of Kero and it does seem to work. Since biodiesel is mostly vegetable oils it should be low in residual aroma (similar to castor from glow fuel). If this is so then even if we need to use a little more either to get it kicked off it might eleminate the diesel smell that glow guys object to. To test this I'd like to know what % either those who have tried this have used to get good starting and smooth running. Also how much "booster" was added? Last what are some sources of B100 biodiesel?

Best, Dennis

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

Do a search online for B100 stations. There is a place not to far from here that sells B100 and I've been meaning to get some for quite a while.

http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingBioDi...lfuelingsites/
http://www.nearbio.com/

The biggest problem with B100 is that it's viscous and has an extremely low vapor pressure. If you can't get droplets small enough it probably won't burn. I haven't tried it yet so I don't have much to say.

I posted this a while ago.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7861020/tm.htm

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

We have addressed the odor problem for those that regard it a problem many years ago by putting it in our price list which is now on our website. Go to the nearest craft store and proceed to the candle section there you will find little bottles of aroma's like vanilla, cherry roses etc. Add some of this liquid to the fuel and your problems are solved.

Bob Davis
Davis Diesel

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

I thought/assumed that it was the ether that smelled bad not the kerosene which is basically a lamp oil without any cent?
The ready mixed fuel that I can find locally has a sort of regular automotive diesel instead of kerosene and the smell is certainly not pleasant...

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

Maybe just use low odor kerosene? Here, it is colourless, instead of being dyed green/blue like regular kerosene.

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

Many of us have not seen this as a real issue, as long as you do not spill it. In the air you will never notice, Go to a field where they are flying model turbine jets and a lot more noticable martin

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

The smell of the raw fuel can be altered. The smell of burnt fuel is the same whether lamp oil or odorless kerosene.

The stink doesn't really bother me either, but my wife has different opinion.

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

Greg thats why I mentioned the jets they burn a lot more and odor hangs in the air martin

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

But jet fuel has a reasonable smell. There have been comments from the British modelers that our fuel stinks because we use different ignition improvers.

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

GREG I do not buy that one ( the Brits) amyl nitrate or octyl nitrate (amsoil cetane booster) should not make any difference
a little of the subject but the new # 2 diesel low sulfur has almost no odor which I use in my dodge PU cummins diesel even charcoal lighter
stinks till it burns off. It is the exhaust that people notice on our diesels. I have never had a comment on my diesels at the field on odor
in the air not a trace on the ground a 100 ft away and more the only way to tell is the sound\\
Davis has a fw engines out to Universities for biodiesel projects

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

That's odd. Every time I bring my diesels to the field, I get comments about the smell. Even with my spark ignition OS or Enya when I use castor in the fuel I get comments about the castor smell.

It's not the raw fuel that gets the complaint. It's the burnt fuel in the residual oil that stinks. I've run many different fuels and nothing eliminates it. I'm reasonably sure that our diesels run rich and there are unburned and partially burned hydrocarbons that cause the smell in the exhaust.

AndyW did some work with biodiesel. I don't think he's been at it recently.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgxIywcu7UQ

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
 

Guys,

I agree that the complaints have been the residual exhaust that gets on the plane, your hands and clothes. DDD suggested the candle scent, I have tried that but it seems the scent oils burn off and the kero residual still has a smell. I have also tried adding cologne to the clean up fluid, this helped with the airplane but doesn't help with the exhaust smell that got on clothes of the helper or yours. I understand that biodiesel doesn't have the petrolum aromatic aroma and smells closer to castor oil. If we could keep the torque advantages of diesel with out the petrolum aroma it might spark some additional interest.

Best, Dennis