Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - Gas car off of vegetable oil, can it be done?

Volt-Schwibe · 12-10-2005, 06:40 PM

the thing about SVO (straight vegetable oil) is that it doesn't have the required octane.

there is a gigantic difference between the way a diesel engine, and a gas engine run.

for instance, a gasoline engine, mixes the fuel with the right amount of air, compresses it to around 10:1 (less on many cars) and then touches it off with a spark.

a diesel, mixes it with the right amount of air, and then compresses it literally to the point where it self combusts in the heat that is provided. (around 25:1)

unfortunately, the nature of oil is more like diesel, where, even at 10:1 compression, and given an actual spark, it still won't burn.

alcohol is more like gas, and will burn in a gas engine, as will butane, propane, methane, and many other "light bodied" fuels.

"heavy bodied" fuels like diesel, and straight vegetable oil, require the intense heat and compression that a diesel engine is built to provide.

now, since gasoline and diesel both come from the same distilling process, from the same raw oil, it tells me that in fact, there has to be some light bodied fuel inside SVO, but, it may take a long time, and alot of researchers to get it out. until then, the veggie oil is more or less useful only as SVO and biodiesel for diesel engines only.

12-10-2005, 06:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	the thing about SVO (straight vegetable oil) is that it doesn't have the required octane. there is a gigantic difference between the way a diesel engine, and a gas engine run. for instance, a gasoline engine, mixes the fuel with the right amount of air, compresses it to around 10:1 (less on many cars) and then touches it off with a spark. a diesel, mixes it with the right amount of air, and then compresses it literally to the point where it self combusts in the heat that is provided. (around 25:1) unfortunately, the nature of oil is more like diesel, where, even at 10:1 compression, and given an actual spark, it still won't burn. alcohol is more like gas, and will burn in a gas engine, as will butane, propane, methane, and many other "light bodied" fuels. "heavy bodied" fuels like diesel, and straight vegetable oil, require the intense heat and compression that a diesel engine is built to provide. now, since gasoline and diesel both come from the same distilling process, from the same raw oil, it tells me that in fact, there has to be some light bodied fuel inside SVO, but, it may take a long time, and alot of researchers to get it out. until then, the veggie oil is more or less useful only as SVO and biodiesel for diesel engines only. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature> Last edited by Volt-Schwibe; 12-10-2005 at 06:44 PM.