Simple Steps of Biodiesel Production
Homemade biodiesel is an inexpensive alternative to diesel fuel. Using biodiesel creates fewer carbon emissions than gasoline, improves gas mileage compared to regular diesel and gas and reduces dependency on fossil fuels. Biodiesel is also biodegradable and non-toxic, and can be produced in a few, simple steps.
- Find a source for acquiring used vegetable oil. Local restaurants are the best and cheapest sources of used vegetable oil. Getting your used oil from restaurants that change their fryer oil more frequently will make your biodiesel a better quality. Avoid using oil that has any fat from animals, as it will make an inferior biodiesel product.
- Transfer your oil from the restaurant to your home or wherever you produce biodiesel. Large barrels are a good way to transport the vegetable oil.
- Filter the food residue from the vegetable oil using a 400-micron filter. Use a pump to pump it from the barrel, through the filter and into a clean barrel.
- Put on safety gear including thick rubber gloves and goggles. An apron or old clothing would also be appropriate attire while producing biodiesel.
- Mix a catalyst, such as lye, with methanol, by pouring the powder lye into a jar with the methanol in it. Stir until the lye is completely dissolved. This mixture, called methoxide, will be mixed with the filtered vegetable oil.
- Pour the filtered vegetable oil into a hot water heater that has been modified by removing the top heating element. Use a pump to move the oil through the water heater continuously, heating it to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine the methoxide with the heated vegetable oil. Circulate this mixture through the water heater for about three hours using the pump.
- Pump the mixture into a coned tank with a drain valve at the bottom. Allow the mixture to set for at least 24 hours, the biodiesel will rise to the top and there will be a glycerin layer at the bottom of the cone.
- Drain the glycerin out carefully, then use water to wash the biodiesel. Put the water in the tank through the top and release it through the drain valve. Repeat this washing process several times.
- Filter the biodiesel into a holding tank. It is now ready to be used in your vehicle.