HOW TO MAKE HOMEBREWED BIODIESEL EASILY

This is the easiest most fool proof method for making your first homebrewed few mini-batches of biodiesel. As an added bonus, the only "specialized" equipment required is a thermometer, accurate scales to measure out NaOH (in a pinch a metric teaspoon measure will work), and something to measure out 250 ml of methanol and 1 litre of vegetable oil.

Table of contents
1 CAUTION
2 Equipment
3 Ingredients
4 The technique
5 Making the methoxide
6 Mixing
7 External link

CAUTION

If you are new to Biodiesel making, a few words of caution are in order:

THESE ARE DANGEROUS/POISONOUS CHEMICALS. Common sense must be used. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF AND EVERYONE/EVERYTHING AROUND YOU. WASH OFF ANY METHANOL OR NaOH THAT GETS ON YOU IMMEDIATLY!!

METHANOL IS AS FLAMMABLE AS GASOLINE.

METHANOL BOILS AT 65 ºC. DO NOT MIX UNTIL THE OIL IS BELOW 60 ºC!!

DON'T mix the methanol and NaOH (lye) in a plastic bottle as NaOH attacks some types of plastic. Do not store methoxide in a plastic bottle, as after an hour or so it may start leaking. Use in any case GLASS bottle.

DO NOT allow any WATER into any steps of this procedure.

Before you make your first batch of Biodiesel you must read Mike Pelly's excellent article (see external links at the bottom of the page). In particular, you should follow ALL of his safety recommendations. bE AWARE THAT CARTRIDGE RESPERATORS DO NOT FILTER OUT METHANOL!!!

Equipment

  • 1-2 litre (1.9 in USA) dry Dr Pepper bottles, with top, both in sound, airtight condition.
  • 1-thermometer good to 120 ºC, often candy thermometers are work.
  • 1-Scales to measure out NaOH, or in a pinch use a metric teaspoon measure.
  • 1-Litre volume measure, and something to measure out 250ml of methanol.
  • 1-Bowl/container to mix the methanol and NaOH in.
  • 1-Funnel

Ingredients

  • 1 litre oil, new or used (New will be more reliable).
  • 250 ml methanol. Used in some gas line anti-freeze and as the fuel in some racing cars and model aeroplanes.
  • Container of NaOH, also called Lye and caustic soda. Typically used to clean out sinks and drains.

The technique

Take one litre of oil and if it is used oil heat to 120ºC to remove all water. If water is present the oil will spit and pop and carry on. If there is a lot of water this could get very violent, so be careful.

Once the water is gone (Oil becomes calm and there is no more spitting and popping) let the oil cool.

If you are using new oil from the bottle, just heat to around 55 ºC after you make your methoxide as there should be no water.

Making the methoxide

While the oil is cooling, mix your methanol and NaOH(lye) to form the methoxide.

Use 250ml of methanol. This is more methanol than most people normally use, but will help to insure success.

If you are using new oil this will require about 4g NaOH (about ½ slightly rounded metric teaspoon).

If you are using Used Oil, you should do a titration to determine the correct amount of NaOH, OR just try using 6grams NaOH (about 1 level metric teaspoon) and hope for the best. I have made hundreds of mini-batches of biodiesel from various types of oil using 6g NaOH and have NEVER had a failed batch. It is very probable that it will work for you too, however I do know of one person who had oil that was so used that it did not work.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MIX THE METHANOL AND NaOH IN A PLASTIC BOTTLE. NaOH ATTACKS SOME TYPES OF PLASTIC!!

NaOH and Methanol do not readily mix, so if you are doing it by hand, a bit of time and patience is required.

Don't sniff the fumes, mixing outside is recommended.

For quickest mixing, start with the methanol at JUST body temperature (not warm). As you mix, the temperature will increase substantially. This is normal. Make sure ALL the NaOH (lye) is dissolved. Hand mixing can be accomplished using a spoon to stir/crush the NaOH granules; OR placing methanol/NaOH in a glass bottle with a tight top and shaking/ swirling until ALL NaOH is dissolved. This may take 10 minutes or more.

After ALL the NaOH has dissolved, top up to 250ml with fresh methanol, as there may be some evaporation during mixing.

Mixing

When the Oil's temp has dropped to below 60 ºC, use a funnel and pour the litre of oil into the DRY 2 litre Dr Pepper bottle (in a pinch any other brand of bottle will do).

Take the mixture of methanol/NaOH (commonly called methoxide) and pour on top of the oil using the same funnel.

Remove funnel.

Screw the top down TIGHT onto the bottle.

Shake vigorously for ten seconds/ 40 good shakes. NO significant pressure is generated during shaking.

Now place the bottle on a table and observe the oil change colour from a "Light Chocolate milk to a rich, darker brown." Then, as if by magic, within 10 minutes the by-product (commonly referred to as glycerin) starts to settle out and form an increasing layer on the bottom of the bottle. Be sure to notice that you can see a very definite, slowly sinking line towards the top of the Biodiesel as the glycerol slowly settles.

Within an hour, most of the glycerol will be settled out. This is referred to as separation.

You now have a bottle containing lighter coloured biodiesel on top of a layer of darker glycerol.

External link