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Modified Waste Vegetable Fat   MWVF

The type of fuel we make is called 'Modified Waste Vegetable Fat'.  The actual product is sold as 'bio-power'.  The description (eg V100) tells us about the precise formula used.  V100 is a budget bio-fuel designed for general use in most compression ignition engines.  We can modify the fat in various ways to make a 'greener' form of fuel that may be a little more difficult in starting, or a high performance fuel, that may be less 'green'.

Modification involves simple non reactive processes, like sieving, filtration, separation, disolving, and mixing a careful selection of organically derived materials.  None of our processes require a licence, or registration from the Environment Agency.  The production of MWVF can be achieved in a continuous flow process.  Unlike the  subtractive method for making Bio-diesel, MWVF is made by an additive process, so we create a larger volume of fuel than the original fat stock.

MWVF has many environmental advantages that are the same as for Bio-diesel, and also some that are better than for bio-diesel.

The following benefits are the same as with bio-diesel...

• Organic fuels are renewable. Unlike fuels derived from finite fossil reserves, vegetable and animal fats can be re-created quickly and indefinitely. The energy they contain was collected from the sun as the plants grew and the animals stored fat.
  
• Organic fuels do not have to be imported. We have the potential to grow our own fuel materials from oil producing plants, algae, and other specialist plants, some of which will even grow on the roofs of buildings or in brackish water
  
• Organic fuels are at least carbon neutral. Burning fuels derived from recently growing materials does not release into the atmosphere carbon that has otherwise been locked below the earth's surface for millions of years. The results of Carbon Cycle audits carried out by the French suggest that the use of renewable organic fuels can in fact reverse the effect of Global Warming.
  
• Organic fuels are cleaner burning. They do not cause toxic exhaust emissions of heavy metals, and other noxious chemicals.
  
• Organic fuels are bio-degradable. The carboxylic link which is a characteristic of organically derived chemicals means that enzymes quickly break down any spilt fuel molecules.
  
• Organic fuels are safe and stable. They do not present a risk of explosion or fire when stored in normal steel tanks, do not or emit toxic fumes and cannot be ignited by a naked flame. Organic fuels do not need to be stored under pressure or underground.
  
• Engines running on organic fuels are quieter. They do not have a hard clicking noise, but more of a grunt.
  
• Engines running on organic fuel last longer. Organic fuels provide much better upper cylinder lubrication, and run more smoothly and quietly.
  
• Exhaust odour is more pleasant. The exhaust smell from burning organic fuel is not acrid, but sweet and generally much more appetizing.

Additional benefits when using MWVF as a fuel source over bio-diesel....

• Pure vegetable fat is completely non toxic, after all we actually eat the stuff
  
• There is no need for toxic or dangerous chemicals. The manufacture of fuels in the form of modified vegetable fat does not involve any toxic chemicals or dangerous processes.
  
• There is no major by-product. The blending of fats and spirits does not create any by-product like glycerol that needs to be disposed of.
  
• All the hydrocarbon fuel source is consumed. There is no waste when WVO is burned as Modified Waste Vegetable Fat to provide power. All the potential energy of the source fat stock can be used as a fuel.
  
• Simple treatment and processing does not require much heat or power. It is simply a matter of cleaning, filtering and blending then settlement and racking of and if necessary washing.  Many Bio-power plants run unattended under gravity.
  
• No need for the use of chemicals derived from fossil reserves.  The manufacture of MWVF does not require or involve the use of any materials derived from fossil sources like methanol.
  
• No risk from solvency.  Normal Bio-diesel is a powerful solvent that can disolve parts within an engine and the fuel supply.  We have heard of a situation where Bio-diesel displved a rear type to the extent that it formed a huge bulge in the side of the tyre.  MWVF does not have such an aggressive solvency.
  
• Improved engine performance.  Vehicles running on Modified Waste Vegetable Fat seem to out perform derv in terms of acceleration at lower speeds and also in terms of miles per gallon (kilometer per  litre)
  

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I hope you found  the information on this site useful.
Do not hesitate to contact us on 01286 830312 if you have any further questions,
or e-mail me at info@bio-power.co.uk

John Nicholson

August 2001, January 2002, October 2002, April 2004