It is available in the UK as 'HVO' intended as an environmentally friendly substitute for heating oil. So far though I've been unable to find a source for smaller quantities, only bulk.
From Wikipedia Comparison to biodiesel Both HVO diesel (green diesel) and biodiesel are made from the same vegetable oil feedstock. However the processing technologies and chemical makeup of the two fuels differ. The chemical reaction commonly used to produce biodiesel is known as transesterification.[2] The production of biodiesel also makes glycerol, but the production of HVO does not.
@Blackdog Would a bulk tank be an option? Is it legal to burn HVO as a roadgoing motor fuel there? @snwcmpr Been looking into it more too. Chemically and per ASTM spec, renewable diesel is diesel. Able to be used 100% as diesel. I discovered a station which sells it this weekend for almost a dollar a gallon less than normal dino diesel, and if I re-route to that station on the way home from work, it only adds two miles to my normal commute. Well worth the re-route, I think. There's a bunch of dry technical videos out there, but these really illustrated some fundamental differences to me. I've definitely noticed the dino diesel foams up and kicks the pump off sooner.
Just changed the fuel filter on my Prado after running this stuff for weeks. No issues with fuel cleanliness or filter clogging, just resetting the unknown maintenance schedule that comes with buying a used vehicle. Managed to make a mess and get diesel all over the place, and on my hands. Normally raw diesel stinks to high heaven, and getting it on my hands means my hands will stink of diesel for days and dozens of hand washings. Not so with renewable diesel. Raw fuel smells a bit like petroleum, and one hand washing and it's gone. I'm impressed. This is wonderful stuff.
I found this: https://lubiq.uk/product/hvo-100-green-diesel-for-cars/ I’m not connected in any way to this outfit. I’d be interested in trying a batch, although with my modest stove collection, it would take a while to get through it!
@Rob McCall Be careful with that stuff, it's renewable diesel, not renewable paraffin. Not ideal for your stoves and lanterns.
@Christian Let's be serious: there is no replacement for oil and it's derivatives( gasoline,kerosene,diesel,etc...) And this "bio-fuel" thing is not new! Angela Merkel tried something similar with ethanol from corn. Until someone with enough decency told her "do you want fuel in your car's gas tank or food in your belly?!" While pointing to the head.... It's a carbon based world that will not exist without carbon fuels or substances! All our food is obtained in agriculture burning diesel fuel! Replace THAT, please All our roads are built using oil/bitumen... All our jets fly burning kerosene... Heavy trucks use diesel... Mining industry the same... Big ocean ships the same mazout(or Lpg) Who are we lying?! Only "bio-thing" is a few chickens in our big yard,left to find food by themselves! Or wood from forest cut and split by hand( no 2 stroke chainsaw and synthetic oil for you)
Sorry, only just seen this- yes it's legal to use as a road fuel as well as for heating in the UK, but there's no real infrastructure supplying it yet- just a few fuel suppliers offering it in bulk (500 litres minimum). As I don't have a diesel car it's a bit too much to purchase to see which stoves it works in....
If it doesn't make sense it doesn't make sense. Maybe one of your friends or neighbors uses it and you could buy a couple liters, although it doesn't sound like you're using enough fuel for there to be much difference, either economically or environmentally.
Good thinking, I'll see if I can track down a small amount. The HVO here is suitable for central heating boilers after a 'small alteration', whatever that means. The burners are atomising rather than vapourising though, so it's likely too heavy for classic brass paraffin stoves. Bet it would work a treat in a Number 12 though!
"Small alteration" to boiler burners may be a slightly larger nozzle. HVO is slightly lower btu/gal than ordinary diesel, to maintain the same boiler BTU rating more fuel would be needed. If the boiler running a longer duty cycle is acceptable, I'd guess no modification would be needed at all.
