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Our System:

HISTORY AND INNOVATIONS

Fossil Free Fuel started in 2004 as a sole proprietorship in Buffalo New York. Fossil Free Fuel also had an install service in Allentown, PA. In 2005 Fossil Free Fuel moved to Allentown and opened an 1800 square ft. facility and became a LLC partnership.

The first generation kits were made up of mostly pre-made diesel application parts with the exception of in-tank heat exchangers that were coiled aluminum welded to a mounting plate. The original kit consisted of a Pollack six port valve, a co-axle heat exchanger, a fuel level gauge, a temperature gauge, a toggle switch, a vormax or davco fuel filter, fuel and coolant hose and fittings, a plastic or aluminum tank, and an in-tank heat exchanger.

Over the years the kits were upgraded part by part. After many failures, the Pollack valves were upgraded to 3 port valves designed for high temperatures and pressure. Bulky co-axle heat exchangers were replaced with stainless steel efficient flat plate heat exchangers. Hose on hose line was replaced with aircraft aluminum hose in hose line with external termination ends. In tank heat exchange aluminum coils were first replaced with baffled fuel pickups with fluted aluminum heat exchange tubing and then upgraded again to a jacketed, baffled heat exchange fuel pickup and return with special heat exchange jacket tubing. The vormax and davco fuel filters were replaced by custom fuel filters designed from scratch made especially for vegetable oil use with a full coolant jacket around the filter element as well as the standard heat through the head of the filter. The toggle switches and gauges were replaced with the VO control unit that monitors and controls all necessary parameters of the VO system. Thus what Fossil Free Fuel offers today are kits specific to the vehicle with components that function well and are aesthetically pleasing.


FAQ:

 


Question:



Answer:


Can I just fill vegetable oil into my diesel's tank and what about one tank systems?

You can, but your vehicle will sustain long-term engine damage even if you live in a warm climate.  Even with a one tank system you are still injecting cold oil into a cold engine upon startup.  The piston rings are not sealed at this point and the mixing of oil with crankcase oil can be detrimental to the health of any engine.

How far will a tank take me?

MPG depends upon the vehicle.  On vegetable oil a vehicle should achieve a very similar MPG to operation on regular diesel fuel.  MPG in diesels also vary with winter additives.

Does the vehicle have the same power?

Vegetable oil has a naturally higher cetane level (the delay ignition time of a fuel, the higher the cetane value the shorter the delay) then petroleum diesel but is thicker and therefore contains a lower energy content.  This balances out with vegetable oil having a 2% loss in power.  This should be unnoticeable to the driver and if your car can pass the 100 mark on the odometer on diesel then it will on vegetable oil as well.

What additional maintenance is there with a two tank system?

The system is essentially doubling the components of fuel system.  This includes the changeable fuel filter element on the fuel filter housing.  Just like you would change a diesel fuel filter every few thousand miles, you will need to change the vegetable oil fuel filter as well.

Where do I find oil?

Most of our customers have agreements with local restaurants to pick up their used oil.  There are also bulk oil suppliers for those who wish to purchase new oil.  Warehouse supply stores often stock five gallon containers of new oil at competitive pricing to diesel.

What happens if I can't find vegetable oil?

At anytime while driving you can switch to using petroleum diesel/biodiesel (depending what you have in your other tank). 

Will any diesel vehicle work?

In theory, yes.  We have converted many makes and models from various years.  There are some that we recommend more then others and some that we are more challenging.  Please contact us for more specifics.

Will a new-car warranty be voided?

It depends on the dealership.  We've worked with dealerships who have sponsored us and whose techs work on veggie vehicles and we've had some who make frivolous claims that vegetable oil was clogging the air intake with sulfur deposits.  Talk to your dealer before assuming the warranty will be honored.

What is the difference between biodiesel and straight vegetable oil?

We provide kits to allow diesel vehicles to run on straight vegetable oil commonly referred to as SVO and in Europe as PPO (pure plant oil).  Used vegetable oil from restaurants is referred to as WVO (waste vegetable oil).  Biodiesel is a diesel fuel chemically derived from vegetable oil.  Often biodiesel will have a number following it.  This number indicates the percentage of biodiesel to diesel in a tank or pumping station.  For example, B20 is a 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel blend.  The use of biodiesel does not require a two tank system, though depending on the situation there may be additional modifications needed to the vehicle's fuel system.

Can I stockpile oil for years to come?

Vegetable oil is an organic compound.  Though the edibility of oil does not have an effect on usability, the oxidation and breakdown of the oil is a concern.  Oil should not be kept past a couple months.  If it stored it should be in sealed containers, not in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.

Is your kit difficult to install?

Depending on the vehicle and customization of the kit it can vary from novice to expert.  Having general mechanical skills is definitely a plus.  Our kit comes with detailed instructions.

I live in a cold climate; will your system still operate?

If your engine heats up then our system heats up.  The system harnesses the engine's waste heat to heat the oil.  If the engine is hot so is the oil.

How does your system differ from other systems?

We use only TIG welded aluminum tanks, heaters, filters, and valves because vegetable oil reacts with steel, copper, and rubber.  We have fully automated systems with auto switch over, auto purge, and pressure and temperature sensors to ensure proper system use.  We design our own custom fuel filters and in tank heaters from scratch engineered to have the most efficient heat transfer capabilities.

How well do I have to filter my used oil?

We suggest you filter to 2-5 absolute micron rating.  We also recommend that you dewater your oil before using it in your vehicle.

 



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Fossil Free Fuel, 223 Braddock Ave, Braddock, Pa 15104
412 . 894 . 8184

Website: (c) 2007, Fossil Free Fuel Inc. Cloud Car illustration: (c) 2007, Amos Levy. Site design by: Asa Watten