How to Make Units of Biodiesel
Biodiesel may very well become the fuel of the future. It can be created from one of the world's biggest waste products--used cooking oil. It can also be made from just about any other oil, including used motor oil. Used in a car that has been converted to run on biodiesel, it can provide a cheap and easy source of power. The process of making biodiesel is fairly simple, and it can be made in large batches for easy distribution by unit.
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Things You'll Need
- Granulated lye
- Methanol
- Filtered, warmed vegetable oil
- A well ventilated area
- Goggles
- Thick gloves
- Eyedroppers
- Pyrex containers (for mixing )
- Large non-corrosive container (for storing)
- Isopropyl alcohol
- pH litmus paper or meter
Instructions
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Do a test batch to figure out how much lye to use. Mix 200 milliliters of methanol and 4.5 grams of lye until the lye dissolves. Mix this with 1 liter of vegetable oil for one hour. After mixing, let it sit for an hour or two. You'll have two distinct layers of biodiesel and glycerin at the end of the second hour. If the mix doesn't separate, try again with 5.5 grams of lye.
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Another option is to perform a titration. Combine 1 gram of lye with 1 liter of distilled water. In another container, combine 1 milliliter of vegetable oil, and 10 milliliters of isopropyl alcohol. Use an eyedropper to drip the lye mixture into the vegetable oil mixture, one milliliter at a time. After each drop, check the pH of the vegetable oil mix with the paper or meter. The pH should be between 8 and 9; look for a very dark blue color if you are using the paper. Count the number of milliliters of lye used. That will tell you how many extra grams to use per liter.
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Calculate the amount of lye, methanol and vegetable oil needed for the amount of biodiesel you want to make, based on whichever method you chose. Combine the grams of lye with the liters of methanol, pour into the liters of vegetable oil, and stir for an hour. Then, let it sit for another 8 hours. Siphon off the biodiesel, or drain the glycerin from the bottom, depending on your setup. For the best results, try to get a mixing container with a valve at the bottom. You'll need to wash your biodiesel to make sure all the glycerin is gone. To do this. simply add an equal amount of water and let it settle for 12 hours. The water will help the glycerin to settle at the bottom of the container. Drain the water and do it again at least twice more, or until the water is clear. Heat the biodiesel to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to get rid of any leftover water, and it is ready to use. Store in a large, non corrosive container. As for the glycerin, it can be converted into a handy soap. After separating it from the biodiesel, let it sit in the sun for a week or boil it to get rid of the methanol.
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Tips & Warnings
Glycerin can also be composted or used as a "glue" to make fire-starter logs. See the Resource section below for links.
Lye and methanol can be extremely toxic, and so can the byproducts they create. Use protective gear at all times and always have proper ventilation to avoid injury or death.
