By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net
Can used oil be recycled as fuel for vehicles?
“Yes,” according to Teodorico Badua, the inventor of a so-called “fuel energy saving device.”
This device, he says, transforms used oil and other combustible liquid waste into flammable gas that can be added to the engine fuel, which can translate to fuel savings of up to 30 percent.
This La Union-based inventor says the device harnesses the energy from used oil by heating the combustible liquid waste into a gas generator. This process then generates fuel vapor that can be used for gasoline-based engines.
The device has been tested to work with used cooking oil, engine oil and washing fuel, the Filipino inventor says.
“The device promotes safe disposal of combustible liquid waste into the combustion chamber of the engine, which burns it as fuel,” says Badua.
The device is vying for the Tuklas (Most Outstanding Invention) category along with other novel inventions. It will be on display at the National Inventors’ Week exhibit at the Philippine Trade and Training Center until November 21.
Badua has been working with vehicle engines since 1962.
Seeing the load of used oil disposed as waste and hearing stories about waste disposal problems and the irreversible environmental impact of used oil, Badua says he started exploring how waste products, especially used oil, can be disposed in an eco-friendly manner and if possible, harness it further as fuel.
The idea for the invention came while he was working in a power plant years ago.
A co-worker added gasoline into the engine but some of the oil was converted into vapor because of an engine malfunction they discovered later. Despite this malfunction, he notices that the machine run faster.
“I was inspired to develop a machine that can do this for used engine oil,” says Badua.
It took Badua two years to develop the device. It became a project he did after work or during weekends. He already has invested about P100,000 for the development of the device.
He tested his invention on a 1994 vehicle and was able to see increased engine power, torque and speed, which allows for longer mileage in every liter of fuel consumed.
The lubricity of the gas oil reduces friction and heat between pistons and cylinders that also pronged engine life, he adds.
Benefits for the environment include reduction of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide exhaust emission in the atmosphere, as well as promotion of oil recycling to protect water resources from contamination, he says.
“From processing a liter of used oil, you get several grams of sediments, which is a big help in reducing unnecessary disposal of waste oil,” he adds.
With his invention, Badua says Filipinos should also learn how to extract from their experiences valuable lessons that can be developed into solutions to problems.
For Badua who finished a vocational course in diesel mechanics, inventing the fuel energy saving device shows that every Filipino can be an inventor.
8 Feedbacks on "Filipino inventor turns used oil to fuel"
Ipat Luna
For stories like these, it is essential to include contact information in case readers want to purchase. This will be a good feedback mechanism for PDI also. It doesn’t help much if we don’t know what to do next, if it is commercially available already, how much and where.
Fatherlyours
Filipinos are really great in creating or inventing things but our government lacks the support. Government people are only good at enriching themselves. Kanya-kanyang kurakot
Elements
I just hope that this man’s (inventor) effort of inventing that device will not be in vain. I hope that the government will supply him necessary funds or any help to commercialize his invention.
anna valmero
To I. Luna: Mr Teodorico Badua has no website yet. Meanwhile, he can be reached at (072) 720 0512.
bonifacio sakal
I agree with fatherlyours! investing in politics rather than invention gains more for oneself not for the masses. KUKURAKUTIN PARA MABILIS ANG ROI MALAKI PA ANG INTEREST MORE THAN PENTAFOLD PLUS BENEFITS ALL CAME FROM THE MASSES! @$$%^%&$@
G. Morales
I happened to be in the Trade Show during the Inventor’s Week and was one of the many people who got interested and swarmed to Mr. Badua’s booth. With all his demonstration and explanation how his invention works, I can say, our country and the people have one great talent and economic help from his device. Heard it wil be marketed in Metro Manila for P8000.
bobo
Lub oil is petroleum based substance derive from same source of gasoline and diesel and of course will burn when vaporized and mix with oxygen in air. In case Mr. Padua does not know yet., it is better to inject/mix steam with it. It is called cracking, its been use by many refineries for centuries to refine longer chain hydrocarbons. In firefighting firemen are thought not to pour water in a burning oil because it will create a bigger flame.
Here is an experiment anyone can conduct. Put half bottle of cooking oil in a frying fan heat it until you see it evaporating. Be ready with with a cup of water, now lit a piece of paper and hold it over the boiling oil, it will not burn, Dip your fingers on a cup of water and sprinkle it over the boiling oil. Remember to hold your head far from it you might loose your eyebrow and some hair. If you want to see more put the water in an empty alcohol plastic bottle, flame will continue as long as you continue sprinkling water and there is boiling oil in the frying fan. I discovered this new year eve 2002 while frying hot dogs. I knew for a fact that exploding five stars and super lolo’s is a reaction when the oil creates a pooping, I realized that it is a reaction and prompted me to conduct the experiment. This is the kind of knowledge that is hidden from us and not thought in school. By whom? by multinationals who control the system of education and everything in the world. I read somewhere that in the early nineteenth century tractors in the US was run by a mixture of kerosene and water. They first started it on gasoline and after heating the reactor they change it over to water-kerosene.
I remembered my 3 year old son commented upon seeing my experiment. “Nagluto si papa nin kalayo”. Watch for my cook stove that uses a combination of oil and water.
Rolly
Please watch “Flash of Genious.” The objective of inventing is to upgrade, make better, and elevate the living conditions of people. I hope each invention of the Filipino will be for that.
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