by siftnz

Question by HERPES: If you use algae bio fuel for a car or truck…? If you use algae bio fuel for a car or truck, do you need to do something to the engine to make it work or can you just put this fuel in and start your car.
If you do need to do something what is it
What are the effects on the engine? Does it fuck it all up?
Best answer:

Answer by f100_supersabre
The only “algae” bio-fuels at this time are very limited and experimental.

HOWEVER, regular bio-fuel is available for jet engines, which burn kerosene, (high grade); and diesel fuel.
They do NOT yet have a bio-fuel to replace gasoline in standard engines.

Answer by Breath on the Wind
Here is a list of 15 algae bio fuel start ups and some discussion of the method that they are exploring to coax fuel from algae: http://earth2tech.com/2008/03/27/15-algae-startups-bringing-pond-scum-to-fuel-tanks/

Some distinction has to be made between the two different internal combustion engines:

A “gasoline engine” as originally produced by Ford was intended to be run on ethanol that would be produced on farms. It was later adapted to run the petroleum product, gasoline. At the time more than 70% of the US population lived outside of cities. Just about the reverse is now true. Ethanol tends to absorb water. The 10% ethanol that is currently in our fuels will make the fuel go bad in about 3 months unless a stabilizer is added. Ethanol also tends to eat up certain rubber gaskets. Most cars are currently built without this being an issue. http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_problems_damage.html

A diesel engine was originally created by Rudolf Diesel to run peanut oil. It was later adapted to run the petroleum product, “diesel.” (Very convenient that the fuel has the same name as the engine so you don’t forget what to put in it.) A diesel engine will run almost any bio fuel without modification however bio fuel will tend to lubricate the diesel engine better than the petroleum fuel. Bio fuel also tends to be more viscus at lower temperatures some vehicles will therefore start with the petroleum based fuel and then switch to bio diesel or simply preheat the fuel at start up. Bio diesel can also go bad if it sits for too long: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5098606_pros-cons-biodiesel-fuel.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art and http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/the-pros-and-cons-of-biodiesel-732890.html

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