How to Make Biodiesel
Make your own biodiesel
Biodiesel
Converting vegetable oil to biodiesel is probably the best all-round solution (or we think so anyway).
Where do I start?
Start with the process, NOT with the processor. The processor comes later.
Start with fresh unused oil, NOT with waste vegetable oil (WVO), that also comes later.
Start by making a small, 1-litre test batch of biodiesel using fresh new oil. You can use a spare blender, or, better, make a simple Test-batch mini-processor.
Keep going, step by step. Study everything on this page and the next page and at the links in the text. There are checks and tests along the way so you won't go wrong.
Once you've mastered small test batches with new oil that pass the quality control checks provided, you'll learn how to make test batches with used oil (WVO) that also pass the quality checks.
Then you'll be ready to move up to production of full-sized batches of top-quality fuel.
Get some methanol, some lye and some new oil at the supermarket and go ahead -- it's a real thrill!
The process
Biodiesel is made from vegetable and animal fats and oils, or triglycerides. Chemically, triglycerides consist of three long-chain fatty acid molecules joined by a glycerine molecule. The biodiesel process uses a catalyst (lye) to break off the glycerine molecule and combine each of the three fatty-acid chains with a molecule of methanol, creating mono-alkyl esters, or Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) -- biodiesel. The glycerine sinks to the bottom and is removed.
The process is called transesterification. See How the process works
Chemicals needed
Some basic information on the chemicals you'll be using. The quantities required and full instructions for use follow.
For beginners starting out with small, 1-litre test batches it's best to buy top-quality chemicals from a chemicals supplies company.
The unit costs might seem quite high, but since you'll only be needing small amounts at first it's worth the
Biodiesel
Converting vegetable oil to biodiesel is probably the best all-round solution (or we think so anyway).
Where do I start?
Start with the process, NOT with the processor. The processor comes later.
Start with fresh unused oil, NOT with waste vegetable oil (WVO), that also comes later.
Start by making a small, 1-litre test batch of biodiesel using fresh new oil. You can use a spare blender, or, better, make a simple Test-batch mini-processor.
Keep going, step by step. Study everything on this page and the next page and at the links in the text. There are checks and tests along the way so you won't go wrong.
Once you've mastered small test batches with new oil that pass the quality control checks provided, you'll learn how to make test batches with used oil (WVO) that also pass the quality checks.
Then you'll be ready to move up to production of full-sized batches of top-quality fuel.
Get some methanol, some lye and some new oil at the supermarket and go ahead -- it's a real thrill!
The process
Biodiesel is made from vegetable and animal fats and oils, or triglycerides. Chemically, triglycerides consist of three long-chain fatty acid molecules joined by a glycerine molecule. The biodiesel process uses a catalyst (lye) to break off the glycerine molecule and combine each of the three fatty-acid chains with a molecule of methanol, creating mono-alkyl esters, or Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) -- biodiesel. The glycerine sinks to the bottom and is removed.
The process is called transesterification. See How the process works
Chemicals needed
Some basic information on the chemicals you'll be using. The quantities required and full instructions for use follow.
For beginners starting out with small, 1-litre test batches it's best to buy top-quality chemicals from a chemicals supplies company.
The unit costs might seem quite high, but since you'll only be needing small amounts at first it's worth the