Things You'll Need:
- Biodiesel processor
- Waste vegetable oil
- Lye
- Methanol
- Pipes
- Tanks
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Step 1
Find a source of used fryer oil. Most restaurants will gladly let you take waste oil from the containers behind the building, as they usually must pay to have it removed. Offering a few dollars for a few dozen gallons would still be cost-effective.
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Step 2
Decide on a system and type of biodiesel to make. Several types of additives and petroleum diesel mixtures can be used, with one or two fuel tanks. The most cost-effective way to make biodiesel is from straight vegetable oil, or "SVO," using it without treatment. It is possible to use by simply filtering the oil. Proper biodiesel conversion involves raising the viscosity and octane level with additives, then "brewing" the oil.
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Step 3
Build a biodiesel processor. Mount a large, primary tank to a solid foundation. Mount a smaller "mix" tank to the side of the large one, with a valved connection from the bottom of the small tank to the top of the large tank. There should be a valve on the bottom of the large tank to drain fluids, and a pump will be required for transferring the liquid to storage. Fill the large tank to 75% capacity with filtered waste oil. Fill the smaller tank to 50% capacity with methanol.
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Step 4
Mix and brew biodiesel. Add 7 grams of lye for every gallon of methanol stored in the small tank. Mix thoroughly, then open the valve and dump it into the large tank. Mix the lye/methanol into the oil, or install an internal mixing pump. Allow this tank to sit for 24 hours, giving the chemicals time to process. The byproduct of glycerin will deposit itself to the bottom of the tank, and it can be removed and disposed of with the bottom valve. The next layer is biodiesel, and it can be pumped and filtered into storage. The final layer is particle waste, and can be disposed of.
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Step 5
Clean the tank and repeat the process, if necessary.
