How To Make Biodiesel Instructions

How to make biodiesel?

In this making biodiesel tutorial we will show you how to make biodiesel for the first time. To be able to create your own biodiesel fuel you will require the following things listed below.

Making biodiesel list:

• At minimum of one litre of vegetable oil (corn, canola or soybean oil will be fine).
• A blender that has multi speeds and includes the choice of a slow speed and also has a glass tumbler (also make sure that this will not be for food or drink usage afterwards).
• Weighing scales which you can weigh 3.5 grams (12 ounces) accurately. Good quality digital scales would be the best choice.
• 1 bottle of sodium hydroxide (can be purchased from any good hardware store). It is also important that you follow all safety instructions when using this product as it is poisonous.
• A minimum of 200 mils (6.8 fl oz) of methanol. This can be easily purchased in 12 oz quantities and is usually known as gas tank antifreeze in your local auto part and hardware stores. However be careful not to choose one that contains isopropyl alcohol as this will not work. It is also very important to follow the safety instructions when using methanol because it is both poisonous and flammable.
• A measuring glass that is marked for 200 mls (6.8 fl oz).
• A plastic or glass container that is able to hold 1 litre.
• A plastic or glass container that will hold at least 1.5 litres and has a wide mouth.
• A spoon (wooden).
• Safety goggles, and rubber gloves. Don't Forget!! methanol and sodium hydroxide are poisonous. Also work near a sink, hose or have a bucket of water close by in case you need to wash off any chemicals that come into contact with your body.

Ok, now let's go through the process of how to make biodiesel. Before you commencing making your own biodiesel it is important that you do the process in a well lit and ventilated place (it is best if you can carry out the work at or above room temperature). Also put on your safety goggles and gloves before you begin to work with the chemicals.

Start by measure out the 200 mls of methanol and pour into the blender, next weigh out 3.5 grams of sodium hydroxide. Start the blender and switch to a slow speed and add the sodium hydroxide to the methanol. When the sodium hydroxide has dissolved into the methanol (it takes approximately 2 minutes) add a litre of veggy oil to the blender, then once again blend at a low speed for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

when the blending has been completed, pour this mixture into a wide mouthed jar and leave to stand for around 30 minutes to 1 hour (it would also be a good idea to label this up as poison , also making sure that it is well away from where children can get hold of it). At this stage you will notice a darker colored liquid (glycerine) has started to settle at the bottom, with a lighter colored layer at the top (this lighter layer is biodiesel). Now, all you have to do is wait a few hours to let the mixture settle completely.

At this point you will be able to carefully pour off the biodiesel fuel or it would be better to use a pump (if you have one) to separate the biodiesel from the glycerine. That's it, you now know how to make biodiesel, this concludes the making biodiesel tutorial.

Readers have left 5 comments.

No.1 Untitled

I read your page and I have read other co. pages on biodiesel. The question is the other co. pages say to use 99% pure isopropanol and so donot use. The other co. say to use phenolphthalein indicator and you don't say eather way can you bring me up to speed please
thank you
John

\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' title='Click to send email'>Submitted by John Chapman,  • 2008-02-01 15:49:37

No.2 Untitled

thanks so much for the info i need for my paper im wrighting

Submitted by Guest User,  • 2008-04-03 05:51:41

No.3 Untitled

Amateur website....no polishingor water extraction after its made....engines running on this crap would only last a few thousand miles...
To test you need to fill a container with half fuel and half wate and shake for a minute. Then let it settle...the water at the bottom should be crystal clear with no cloudiness what so ever. If there is...chuck it..

Submitted by Guest User,  • 2008-06-09 10:27:34

No.4 Untitled

With reference to no3 comment, washing is very easy, drop a standard aquarium filterstone into the biodiesel, then add half as much water. turn on the airstone and wait (approx 12hrs is good)- allow to settle for 1/2 hour and drain off water from bottom of tank now add same amount of water again and continue as before, wash 3 times and the water in the bottom of the tank should be almost pure. voila- biodiesel washed..

\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' title='Click to send email'>Submitted by Geldrith,  • 2008-07-13 09:52:26

No.5 Untitled

how can we use used cooking oil in making biodiesel?

\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' title='Click to send email'>Submitted by rachel,  • 2008-08-14 02:50:09

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