bio heater - blue peter style!

[jaky cakes]

One of the members in a different forum asked about fuel heaters.here's one I made earlier whick may be of interest.
a photo wont show the internals - but here's a quick drawing to show the genaral idea. all pipe is standard domestic copper 15mm and 22mm & all fittings are solder ring (yorkshire fittings) but you could use endex or endfeed fittings. the whole unit is about 300mm high and 100 wide, all wrapped in Wickes 22mm pipe insulation, and fitted inline before fuel filter.
by the way - the gap between the inside of the 22 and outside of the 15 (fuel passage is about 2mm - the area of which works out to be a bigger cross sectional area than the original fuel supply pipes - thus no fuel starvation, and because the gap is so small, the fuel is "spread thinner" around heating medium so heats quicker.
ALWAYS GET AN ADULT TO USE A BLOW TORCH AND SCISSORS!!!

[dave.j.robbo]

Very good!! One question. Why do you have the fuel line cross piece at the top? Is it just for strength?

[jaky cakes]

Very good!! One question. Why do you have the fuel line cross piece at the top? Is it just for strength?

yes!

probably perfectly strong without - but i'm just very fussy - I even get out of the bath for a sh#t!!

[Snoop]

yes!

probably perfectly strong without - but i'm just very fussy - I even get out of the bath for a sh#t!!

LOL

What a great bit of "here's one I made earlier" for the heater. I'm really getting tempted to switch to veggie the more I read posts like this - the one with the diagram, not the bath!

[John McC]

Hi like the idea but didn't I read on here some where that the veg oil reacts with the copper or some thing ?

[MattF]

Hi like the idea but didn't I read on here some where that the veg oil reacts with the copper or some thing ?

Unfortunately, copper would appear to have a catalytic effect
on SVO/WVO. As to whether the reaction is fast enough to affect
fuel for the short period whilst it is in the heat exchanger, hard to
say. However, the main source of info in this regard is distillery
based, which would appear to suggest that it is, as even on short
runs, catalysis of certain compounds is noted, which is why copper
tubing is still used in stills, as it removes some of the undesirable
tastes from the finished product. With regards to oil, the noted
effects are more along the lines of separation and globules forming
in the oil, which can further impact fuel filter clogging. Also,
something along the lines of an accelerated verdi gris? effect upon
the copper itself.

[jaky cakes]

Unfortunately, copper would appear to have a catalytic effect
on SVO/WVO. As to whether the reaction is fast enough to affect
fuel for the short period whilst it is in the heat exchanger, hard to
say. However, the main source of info in this regard is distillery
based, which would appear to suggest that it is, as even on short
runs, catalysis of certain compounds is noted, which is why copper
tubing is still used in stills, as it removes some of the undesirable
tastes from the finished product. .

My veg oil tastes great - although the flavour is enhanced with a shot of white spirits!!!

seriously though - I've had mine on now for 9 months or so and recently removed it to gain access for fuel filter change - as far as I could see, the inside was clear.
I suppose if one is wary of copper and oil -the whole assembly could be dipped in a suitable lacquer or varnish to coat all surfaces prior to use , or even use plastic pipe with polyplumb fittings. I think a guy on ebay was flogging something similar (in plastic pipe) for £40 not so long back.
may be worth pricing the bits.

[Gazbo]

I would rather use plastic like? But it does'nt hard to make something along those lines? I take it you just need to heat the oil if your using pure veg oil? Is the diesel mixed with oil ok to leave un-heated?

[StevenN]

sorry to but in

If you intend to make one of these you will have to purchase 2 off 22x22x15mm (the branch measurement is always last) tees 2 off 22x15x15mm tees and two 15mm + 22mm elbows.

and I know a very nice place to buy them from if you like too.

Cheers
Steve

[jaky cakes]

I would rather use plastic like? But it does'nt hard to make something along those lines? I take it you just need to heat the oil if your using pure veg oil? Is the diesel mixed with oil ok to leave un-heated?

I pour the veg and derv in the same tank and just heat the whole lot together.
If this exchanger idea seems a bit too much trouble - why not try the renault heated filter approach - cost about £10 from your local scr@p yard. this unit would then replace your existing fuel filter and heat it at the same time. The only thing you have to do is removed the inbuilt thermostat located behind the bottom brass connector ( bottom left in picture). this will allow coolant to flow through unit continuously.
here is one I made earlier....again....
bought it - stripped and cleaned it - painted it - tested it - then gave it to a friend to try - never got it back and made a new one....

[MattF]

Shouldn't that be:

Then gave it to an ex-friend to try?

[Gazbo]

So it should still be pre heated?

[MattF]

So it should still be pre heated?

Heating is always preferable. Certain ratios will allow use
unheated, but the viscosity and combustion characteristics
differ from pure diesel. However, a 20/80 mix, (SVO/diesel),
for example, should work perfectly well whether heated or
not.

[Gazbo]

reet!! so what heating tools are you guys using? I have seen some, but there must be a prefferance