How to Make Diesel Fuel From Vegetable Oil
Adding methanol (paint thinner) and lye (drain cleaner) to vegetable oil will produce diesel fuel--called biodiesel--but of exceedingly poor quality. Producing something you would want to put in an engine requires high-quality ingredients and precise measuring. Several communities exist online (see References and Resources below) to guide beginner diesel fuel brewers.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 liter canola oil
- 200 ml methanol (sold as solvent by paint companies)
- At least 6 grams lye (KOH) (from soapmakers' or chemical supply)
- Blender
- Scale accurate to 0.1 grams
- 2 measuring beakers
- 1/2-liter No. 2 plastic translucent container with screw top
- 2-liter soda bottles
- Funnels
- Candy thermometer
Instructions
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1
Pour the methanol into the 1/2-liter container using a funnel. The lye can be potassium (KOH) or sodium (NaOH) hydroxide. This recipe uses KOH. Measure it according to its purity: 5.8 grams for 85 percent pure, 5.5 grams for 90 percent, 5.3 grams for 92 percent. Pour the lye into the container using a clean funnel. Swirl the container until the mixture is clear. The result is methoxide.
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2
Heat the oil in a pan until the thermometer shows 130 F. Pour it into the blender. Carefully add the methoxide and mix on low speed for 30 minutes. Pour it into one of the soda bottles and let settle for 12 to 24 hours.
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3
Glycerine, a 20 percent byproduct, will separate and fall to the bottom. Decant the top 80 percent into a clean soda bottle. Don't allow any glycerine in.
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4
Test the quality of the fuel. Pour 1/2 liter of water into it. Shake vigorously. Let it settle. If the fuel completely separates from the water within 30 minutes, it's good. Decant the fuel from the water into a clean soda bottle. But if it continues to look like mayonnaise, start over with more-precise measurements.
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5
Wash any remaining impurities from the biodiesel. Washing is done by forcing air bubbles through the fuel or, easier for home brewers, mixing it with water. Pour 1/2 liter of water into the fuel. Roll the bottle on a flat surface until the two liquids become homogeneous. Let it settle for at least three hours. Separate the fuel and water either by decanting from the top or draining the water from the bottom via a hole. Repeat the washing.
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6
Let the fuel settle. When it turns completely translucent, it's ready to use.
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Tips & Warnings
Ensure cleanliness of all equipment.
This recipe uses pure plant oil (PPO). It will work with waste vegetable oil (WVO), but with the added steps of filtering non-oil materials and titration to adjust the amount of lye.
This process uses two chemicals that can cause harm to people. Do not inhale methanol fumes and do not allow methanol or lye on your skin.
Although biodiesel is in wide use, the Environmental Protection Agency deems it illegal.
No governmental body in the United States taxes biodiesel.
