How to Make Biodiesel Fuel

Biodiesel fuel is an alternative to the higher-priced petroleum fuel that we normally use for our vehicles. The difference is that biodiesel fuel burns cleaner and lasts longer, making it more environmentally friendly. Biodiesel fuel is made from store-bought vegetable oil, lye and methanol. It can be made at home in a safe place. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vegetable oil
• Methanol
• Lye
• Blender
• Decanter or funnel

1. Gather three to five grams of lye, 200 milliliters of methanol and one liter of new vegetable oil. The lye can be either sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, and can be found at soapmaker supplier stores. Methanol can usually be found at bulk liquid fuel distributors or at race tracks.

2. Dissolve the lye into the methanol first to create sodium methoxide. Mix the sodium methoxide with the vegetable oil in a blender for about 20 minutes. Make sure that the blender is on low speed with the lid on tightly.

3. Let the blended mixture sit at room temperature for eight hours. Then, transfer everything into a glass container. The glycerin that has formed will sink to the bottom of your container.

4. Separate the glycerin from the biodiesel. Use a decanter or a funnel to remove the glycerin into a separate jar or container, so that your biodiesel doesn't form into a gel-like consistency.

Tips & Warnings

• Biodiesel fuel must be of a thin consistency so that it runs smoothly through your engine. That is the reason why the glycerin must be removed from the biodiesel fuel. You can use the leftover glycerin to make your own soaps or just throw it away.
• Use caution when working with lye. Keep lye and the other chemicals away from children, and also away from food if you're working in your kitchen. Don't breathe in the fumes, and avoid getting it on your skin or in your eyes. Find a glass or a stainless steel container to store it in instead of aluminum or tin to prevent a chemical reaction.