drier fuel, gas or diesel?

[agcon1]

looking at second-hand mobile driers, whats the ups and downs of either fuel? been offered a 18t mecmar on gas, but they will convert to diesel but it adds a fair amount to the cost, just trying to decide whether it would be money well spent or not

 

[bravheart]

gas will leave less residue in the dried grain if heading for human consumption

 

[Brisel]

Gas requires more infrastructure. Bottles aren't ideal but could be ok for a small tonnage but you need several in parallel or the rate of offtake will cause the bottles to freeze up. It doesn't harm anything but you'll be looking at blocks of ice & unfinished cylinders unless you can put them where sunlight and airflow can keep them half warm. Really you need a concrete base and a tank to supply it.

 

[David.]

You might be more future proof to stick with gas.
Mine's diesel and I am unaware of any taint problems, but rules around food never get more lax over time, do they..
If your yard is roadside or unattended, the theft of diesel from the drier tank is another consideration.

 

[Brisel]

Gas should be cheaper than diesel per kW but it depends on how well it is bought. Calor have been more expensive in the past & other suppliers won't top up their tanks. The others only have to be cheaper than Calor to compete & they are more flexible on who fills them up.

The threat of banning gas oil driers hasn't materialised so far. If it were that big an issue, you'd think that the big central stores would be on gas already. IIRC @Woldgrain Storage runs on kerosene. Perhaps the infrastructure of LPG or mains gas just isn't feasible for big driers.

 

[Adeptandy]

LPG dryer tanks are classed as industrial installation and this causes the problem of being stuck with the tank supplier, be it Calor, Flogas etc they don't fill each others tanks. In the domestic world the Government has put in place legislation so at end of contract Calor can take on a Flogas tank and vice versa, the change happens behind the scenes.
If your on ( e.g ) Calor for an industrial classed instal then if you change to Flogas its a tank lift and exchange to whoever supplies your gas on the next contract, there isn't anything in place to make them use each others tanks.

 

[Sandy]

Gas driers are more complicated ie safety valves to go wrong, we’ve been gas for 20yrs the next drier will be kerosene without a doubt

 

[quattro]

Diesel keep it serviced never had a problem with tainting grain,just one fuel to buy/order aswell

 

[Hooby Farmer]

We've used a diesel drier for 50years, bought a mobile gas drier this year. The drying cost this year is a third of what it was. Granted it is a different year than last but none the less, the drier in savings will be paid for in 2 and a bit seasons.

 

[Exfarmer]

Gas should be cheaper than diesel per kW but it depends on how well it is bought. Calor have been more expensive in the past & other suppliers won't top up their tanks. The others only have to be cheaper than Calor to compete & they are more flexible on who fills them up.

The threat of banning gas oil driers hasn't materialised so far. If it were that big an issue, you'd think that the big central stores would be on gas already. IIRC @Woldgrain Storage runs on kerosene. Perhaps the infrastructure of LPG or mains gas just isn't feasible for big driers.

Having a gas supply off the mains will very much depend on the local network. You are very lucky if a large enough supply is available close by. Otherwise the cost will be prohibitive , even quite short distances

 

[Brisel]

LPG dryer tanks are classed as industrial installation and this causes the problem of being stuck with the tank supplier, be it Calor, Flogas etc they don't fill each others tanks. In the domestic world the Government has put in place legislation so at end of contract Calor can take on a Flogas tank and vice versa, the change happens behind the scenes.
If your on ( e.g ) Calor for an industrial classed instal then if you change to Flogas its a tank lift and exchange to whoever supplies your gas on the next contract, there isn't anything in place to make them use each others tanks.

Ok. I haven't dealt with LPG for a few years. Last time we put some in for humidity control burners we went with Calor because they were best & the most professional.

 

[Lincsman]

You already have diesel, use that, no need to special order for drying, set up correctly they are clean and P/kw all fuels are similar.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

LPG dryer tanks are classed as industrial installation and this causes the problem of being stuck with the tank supplier, be it Calor, Flogas etc they don't fill each others tanks. In the domestic world the Government has put in place legislation so at end of contract Calor can take on a Flogas tank and vice versa, the change happens behind the scenes.
If your on ( e.g ) Calor for an industrial classed instal then if you change to Flogas its a tank lift and exchange to whoever supplies your gas on the next contract, there isn't anything in place to make them use each others tanks.

+ 1. Also LPG wholesale pricing is about as transparent as a muddy puddle. Cartel springs to mind.

 

[Steevo]

Had an email from Certas earlier pushing their "Therma35" product as an alternative to red diesel for heating/drying. Anybody know anything about it?

https://www.certasenergy.co.uk/products/therma35

https://www.certasenergy.co.uk/docs/default-source/agriculture/therma35-product-sheet.pdf

 

[Lincsman]

Had an email from Certas earlier pushing their "Therma35" product as an alternative to red diesel for heating/drying. Anybody know anything about it?

https://www.certasenergy.co.uk/products/therma35

https://www.certasenergy.co.uk/docs/default-source/agriculture/therma35-product-sheet.pdf

Another company had similar, it does not have duty on it so about 3p cheaper because of that, but I dont think you would put it in a common rail engine.

Here;

Industrial heating solution
Watson Fuels is proud to offer Furnaceflame™, a cost-effective alternative to gas oil for commercial heating applications such as boilers, dryers and heaters.
Blended in the UK by our colleagues at Henty Oil, Furnaceflame™ has been developed for use as a direct replacement wherever regular gas oil is being used for heating purposes.
Alternative industrial heating products can often contain components derived from waste oils. Such products not only increase the risk of plant failure due to fouling, but can also reduce the efficiency of heat transfer leading to increased fuel consumption.
Furnaceflame™ is different. Blended entirely from virgin components sourced from UK and European refiners, Furnaceflame™ can be used as a drop-in replacement for gas oil across a wide range of burner and furnace applications without any compromise in performance.
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Regular gas oil is more expensive to produce than Furnaceflame™ as it must meet exacting standards for use in off-road mobile plant. Further, gas oil is also subject to additional government levies for road fuel which do not apply to Furnaceflame™. Furnaceflame™ can therefore be offered at a lower price than regular gas oil, meaning significant cost savings for your business.
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Send an enquiry

 

[Brisel]

Had an email from Certas earlier pushing their "Therma35" product as an alternative to red diesel for heating/drying. Anybody know anything about it?

https://www.certasenergy.co.uk/products/therma35

https://www.certasenergy.co.uk/docs/default-source/agriculture/therma35-product-sheet.pdf

It's the old Class A2 or D fuel. Not for engines (unless static), only heating which includes grain drying. I didn't think it was still available.

What is Gas Oil? CPS Fuels Information Sheet

Introduction:Gas Oil is a middle distillate liquid refined from crude oil. It has many different names in the UK and a variety of uses. Gas Oil is a "dual purpose" fuel

www.cpsfuels.co.uk

 

[Farmer Fin]

It's the old Class A2 or D fuel. Not for engines (unless static), only heating which includes grain drying. I didn't think it was still available.

What is Gas Oil? CPS Fuels Information Sheet

Introduction:Gas Oil is a middle distillate liquid refined from crude oil. It has many different names in the UK and a variety of uses. Gas Oil is a "dual purpose" fuel

www.cpsfuels.co.uk

It’s not the same as class D as it’s still available as well.

 

[Brisel]

It’s not the same as class D as it’s still available as well.

It meets the standard though

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

...but I dont think you would put it in a common rail engine.

Definitely not if it’s got any after treatment bolted on. That stuff is old fashioned high-sulphur gas oil.

 

[Drillman]

We run our mobile drier on Kero as it’s usually about 10p per liter cheaper than gas oil. However if needs must gas oil can be tipped in the tank at any time without making burner adjustments.