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Biodiesel Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by frayz, Apr 22, 2011.

  1. frayz

    frayz Junior Member

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    Was riding behind one of these french fry machines last night. just wondering if anyones tried to convert a prius to biodiesel either with engine mods or a complete engine swap..
     
    #1 frayz, Apr 22, 2011
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    No sane person would try: the Atkinson cycle gas engine fundamentally isn't suited to Diesel, no existing Diesel engine would fit mechanically, and Diesel doesn't fit the run-stop philosophy of the Prius design. Much better to put a Diesel into a pure series hybrid where it could run continuously.
     
    #2 richard schumacher, Apr 22, 2011
  3. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    What does that have to do with PriusChat? [​IMG]
     
    #3 Corwyn, Apr 22, 2011
    4 people like this.
  4. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi All,

    I am thinking a Bio-Gasoline Prius would be easier - BioButanol. Wondering if somebody could make a garage Butanol reactor, that took in SVO and put out Butanol?
     
    #4 donee, Apr 22, 2011
  5. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    As pointed out previously, you can't (easily) convert a spark ignition engine to run diesel or bio-diesel.

    More compatible fuels are LPG, CNG, ethanol. More exotic fuels include wood gas.
     
    #5 sipnfuel, Apr 22, 2011
  6. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

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    I see three logistical problems, assuming you're talking about using ABE:

    The ABE process is anaerobic
    You need to separate the ABE at the end (you could leave the ethanol, I guess)
    I'm not sure you can get from SVO to butanol using ABE as you need starch
     
    #6 Politburo, Apr 22, 2011
  7. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi Politburo,

    Thanks for that. One only need to remove the A from the ABE. Might as well leave the Ethanol in there. I think I am remembering they have processes to keep the E under 10 % of the BE produced in the ABE. Although, those might be licensed microbes for that.
     
    #7 donee, Apr 22, 2011
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