[Vwdiesel] Propane system

[Lee Hillsgrove]

>  With cold weather really on it's way, has anybody done any freezer
>tests on biodiesel additives to prevent gelling?  We had snow all
>around the upper edges of the valley this morning.



  I have done freezer tests and have come to the conclusion that B100 (100%
BD) is a 3-season prospect for my neck of the woods. You can safely run B20
down to about -20 from what I have heard, but I think I'd validate that
myself with some more testing before filling the tank in January.
Conventional diesel antigel additives aren't supposed to work on BD since
it's not a petroleum product to begin with, but anecdotal evidence seems to
suggest that may not be completely true.
 My B100 froze into a solid block, much like a candle, in the freezer. When
I took it out, it softened up then began to liquefy around the edges first,
leaving a gelatinous ball in the center. When it finally got back to room
temperature, it was just like it was when I started. I haven't done any
tests with a blend or additives, mostly because the closest source of B100
is about a 3 hours' drive from me and so I don't use it too often. There is
also a B20 pump about the same distance in a different direction, but I
haven't made it there to fill up yet. Homebrew is a definite possibility,
but I haven't had enough spare time to persue it yet.
 Some people do a type of "cold filtering" whereby they cool the BD until it
just begins to gel, then pour off the liquid portion for use in cold weather
and save back the gelled stuff for use in warmer weather. Apparently there
is no harm in doing this, it's just that some portions of the BD have a
lower gel point than others.

 Here's a couple of direct links to current discussion on the matter on
different boards. There is a fair amount of sniping to wade through on the
TDI club, but if you're interested in the subject there is some good
information to be had hidden in the noise.
 Be sure to cut and paste the entire link, sometimes the last part of it
doesn't make it into the hyperlink.

 http://forums.tdiclub.com/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=005522

http://forums.biodieselnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=297

 Shameless plug: join the biodieselnow site if you're interested in the
availability of a retail BD pump in your area! It's free.

  Lee
  Oo-v-oO
  PP-ASEL
  KB1GNI