Health & Safety

If you have never made your own fuel before, getting started can be daunting. But when you choose a Green Fuels product, you can be sure of a rigorously tested processor that exceeds health and safety legislation standards. We design-in practical features which enable our customers to safely enjoy the experience of making their own fuel whilst saving themselves money.

In addition, we offer thorough bespoke customer training at our head office and provide a detailed manual that explains each of the chemicals used in the fuel production process. Each processor is delivered with gloves and goggles and to maintain safe control of the chemicals used, they can only be ordered by Green Fuels customers using the secure section of our website. 

How safe is biodiesel to handle?

Biodiesel is non-toxic, fully biodegradable and is safer to store than fossil diesel. It has a flash point more than twice that of fossil diesel (125°C as compared to 50°C or 300°F as compared to 125°F).  

Do I need a Waste Carriers Licence to collect vegetable oil?

Our advice from the Environment Agency is this: "If you're producing the biodiesel by the transesterification process for your own personal use, we do not regulate this as it is not considered to be commercial production.  This also applies to collective small-scale production by a group of individuals if it's just for their own personal use".  You do not require a licence if you are:

• collecting it for re-processing and use in your own private vehicle.
• not profiting from the activity.
• not collecting it or using it as part of a commercial enterprise.

Further advice is available from the Environment Agency direct on 08708 506 506 or via their website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Green Fuels processors are designed and tested with great attention to safety aspects, here are some key features and considerations:

External tank heating

All of our processors use thermostatically controlled external band heaters which preheat the input oil prior to reaction and not when you are adding the flammable chemicals. The heaters can be fitted either to a separate drum of oil, or on the sump of FuelPod2.  Some less safe products on the market use immersion heaters within plastic tanks which are inherently dangerous.

Safe chemical reaction

Green Fuels’ processors are fully sealed and use a venturi arrangement (fluid pressure drawn across a pipe restriction which creates suction) to add precise volumes of methanol and methylate solutions from separate vessels. This avoids neat chemicals being present in the tank without oil to react with and, as the reaction is quite quick when the mixture is added, the risk of having a flammable mixture in the reaction tank is minimised .  In this way

Pre-mixed chemicals

We recommend the use of liquid methylates rather than dry caustic soda so there is no exothermic reaction (i.e. one that releases heat). The liquid also avoids any undissolved powder getting into the finished fuel, so the quality levels are higher.

Safe storage quantities

As a guide, we recommend only storing 40 litres of methanol at your home. This is sufficient to produce 200 litres of fuel which can last as long as 3-4 weeks. Larger quantities can be stored but we would recommend contacting your fire officer to ensure that it is stored safely.

Liquid containment

Our FuelPod2 products incorporate a sump in which the oil is pre-heated. The sump also acts as a bund, or vessel to contain fluids in the unlikely event of any escaping during reaction.

Controls

The combination of air controls with dry stop connectors eliminate any chance of sparks being produced to maximise safety. An ATEX approved air pump also operates the system.  Within the FuelPod we use a pump that incorporates a temperature and pressure cut-off to prevent adding overheated oil and to prevent pressurising the system.

Would it be cheaper for me to make my own processor?

Remember that making biodiesel is not a simple matter of mixing up some liquids, but a precise chemical process that must be carried out meticulously at proper ratios, temperatures and circulations in order to produce high quality fuel.

There are also safety and design aspects of our biodiesel systems that have been modified and perfected over time following extensive development, trials, and advice from government departments. You are buying an efficient, safe, and proven system that delivers consistently high quality fuel for your vehicle and home.

Q&A's

Is it easy to make your own biodiesel?

Making biodiesel with the FuelPod is no more difficult than making home-brew wine, or beer. We provide full operating instructions, comprehensive training, and a Technical Support telephone helpline for those making their first batches of fuel. We also emphasise care in the oil testing and every step of the production process to ensure that the fuel you make is of a consistently high quality.

What do I need to make biodiesel?

You’ll need an efficient processor, titration testing kit and methanol in addition to sodium methylate, or caustic soda.  We can also supply storage tanks, containers, delivery pumps and any other items you might need.

How much will it cost?

A litre of biodiesel for your car, or central heating can cost as little as 15 pence per litre if you are getting your vegetable (input) oil for free. That includes the costs of chemicals (methanol, sodium methylate) and electricity for domestic-scale production. Such low costs can allow you to recover the cost of your FuelPod unit very quickly.

Can I use biodiesel in my car / van / lorry and will it affect its performance?

Green Fuels customers can use biodiesel at blends of up to 100% in any diesel vehicle and its performance will not be affected as long as you have followed the correct procedures. The quality of the biodiesel you make is only as high as the care taken in the process. Unlike those using other systems, our customers become well aware of the importance of the correct and safe testing of oils, chemicals, and fuel.

Problems can occur if the testing of oil is either carried out incorrectly (or worse, not done at all), when residue glycerol and methanol can block injectors and filters, damage pump parts and cause ‘gumming’. Adherence to correct procedures will ensure that this doesn’t arise.

Biodiesel works well in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the fuel system. In fact, using biodiesel can prolong your engine’s life by as much as 50% over traditional fossil fuel because it leaves virtually no carbon deposits, therefore reducing friction and abrasion.

As biodiesel has a solvent effect, it cleans the engine internally and releases deposits that have accumulated in fuel tanks and pipes from previous diesel storage. These deposits may clog your filters when you initially switch to biodiesel, so we recommend they be changed after a week of initial use.

Will biodiesel make my car smell like a chip shop?

No, correctly made biodiesel has no smell when used. This misconception has arisen because some people have been pouring unused vegetable oil straight into their vehicle’s fuel tank, equipped with a pre-heater. As well as the smell, this causes gumming and engine blockage. It is also not cost-effective as a pre-heater conversion only enables that single vehicle to run on vegetable oil, whereas biodiesel can save you money in any diesel vehicle, with no need for engine modification.

Can methanol damage pipes and pumps?

As biodiesel has a slightly higher solvent action than diesel from a garage, it can cause damage to the rubber fuel lines and pump sealing components that were used in vehicles manufactured before 1995 and use with vehicles of that age is therefore not recommended. There is no such problem in any vehicle made since 1995 – which use synthetic compounds.

What is the current position regarding taxation of biofuel in the UK?

If you produce less than 2500 litres per annum for personal use you will not need to register with HMRC and will not be liable to pay duty. (As a guide, 2,500 litres is enough to run two average family cars for a year.)

If you produce above that limit, you have to register with Customs and Excise and pay 32.35 pence to them for each litre of fuel you produce. (This is a 20 pence derogation from the fossil diesel duty). Guidance on eligibility and conditions can be found within HMRC Notice 179E - latest revision March 2008).  We strongly recommend that you keep appropriate records and do not attempt to bypass this regulation in any way. Further details and specific advice regarding your situation can be found on the HMRC website here or via their helpline - 0845 010 9000.

Where can I get oil to convert to fuel?

In most cases a local restaurant, chip shop, or works canteen will be happy to give you their waste vegetable oil to make biodiesel, since they would otherwise have to pay to dispose of it.

If you are going to be recycling waste oil from a restaurant or wherever, then you must obtain a Waste Disposal Licence from the Environment Agency at a cost of £140 for three years. The sign up procedure can be found here, with guidance notes here.

Alternatively, the price of mineral fuel has made it attractive to use new vegetable oil which can be purchased from most supermarkets or from a cash and carry.  Either way you will be saving a lot of money!

Oil and Chemicals

If you are a registered Green Fuels customer, you can buy your oil and chemicals to produce biodiesel from us - via our online shop or direct on 01453 828 003.

Purification
The FuelPod2 uses ion exchange resin to purify the fuel. This self-contained system uses very small quantities of consumables making it safe and cost effective. FuelPod1 uses water and air bubbling to ‘wash’ the fuel.

How do I dispose of the glycerine produced as a by-product from the process?

Glycerine is produced as a by-product at a (near constant) rate of up to 20% per volume of feedstock oil. It is usually composted, but can also be stored and taken away by companies who deliver it for re-processing at facilities in the pharmaceutical industry. These facilities process the material at very high temperatures to produce industrial grade glycerine. Under no circumstances should it be burned, as it gives off toxic gases - including Acrolein .

I want to set up in business supplying biodiesel locally. What is involved?

Depending on a number of factors concerning chemical volumes, related business operations, etc. you may need a PPC (Pollution Prevention and Control) permit, issued by the Environment Agency. HMRC Weights and Measures accreditation is also required if you are going to dispense fuel to the public. Green Fuels provide consultancy services regarding all of these issues (as well as detailing and customising the production process itself) at a cost of £500 per day.