How to Make Biodiesel for Heating a Home Furnance
Many homeowners are interested in ways to use alternative fuels to heat their homes. Biodiesel, made entirely from organic products, is a great choice. It can be used in any diesel furnace and can even be produced at home. To get started, it is best to experiment with small test batches. This process will detail how to make a large batch of heating-quality biodiesel using a reactor.
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Things You'll Need
- Biodiesel reactor
- 100 gallons rapeseed oil
- 25 1/2 gallons of water
- HDPE No. 2 plastic container with lid
- 27.4 gallons of ethanol (preferably 200 proof)
- 10.83 lbs. of potassium hydroxide
Instructions
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Add the water into the appropriate compartment of the reactor. Place the rapeseed oil into the main chamber.
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2
Pour the ethanol into the plastic container.
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3
Add the potassium hydroxide quickly to prevent it from reacting with the air. Immediately place the cap onto the container and screw it into place.
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4
Shake the container until the solid potassium hydroxide is completely dissolved. There should be no solid material in the solution.
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5
Add the solution to the rapeseed oil in the reactor. Turn the reactor on. The reactor will then process the solution into biodiesel by removing the glycerin and washing the solution.
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6
If the biodiesel fuel is a translucent brown color with no sediment, the fuel is ready for the heater
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Tips & Warnings
The success of the reaction is dependent upon careful measurement of the ingredients. Rapeseed is a bright yellow flowering plant that is a member of the cabbage and mustard family. Rapeseed oil is available in bulk online from biodiesel supply and cooking stores. Potassium hydroxide or KOH is available from chemical supply stores. Biodiesel reactors can be bought online as well for $5,000-$30,000.
Always wear eye protection and gloves when making biodiesel. Work in a well-ventilated area and be sure to follow all safety warnings for the reactor. Only use biodiesel in diesel-powered heaters.
