Biodiesel

Requirements: -

• Vegetable Oil
• Antifreeze (Methanol)
• Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
• Blender
• Scales
• Plastic Containers
• Thermometer
• Duct Tape
• Funnels
• Plastic Bottle with lid

Steps Involved : -

·         Step 1: -

Measure out 200mL of antifreeze and put it in a plastic container.

·         Step 2: -

Add in Lye so that antifreeze is absorbed.

·         Step 3: -

Cover container and mix well by shaking it. It is mixed when it starts to feel warm and is foamy. The mixture now has become Sodium methoxide. 

·         Step 4: -

Blend one litre of vegetable oil with the sodium methoxide in a blender for 20 minutes

·         Step 5: -

Pour the mixture into a bottle and wait 8 hours until the byproduct, glycerin, separates from the biodiesel. The glycerin will be the solid on the bottom.

·         Step 6: -

Separate out the biodiesel by pouring into a glass bottle.

·         Step 7: -

Prepare a wash bottle by poking a small hole in the corner of the bottle and covering it with duct tape.

·         Step 8: -

Wash the biodiesel by pouring it into the wash bottle and adding in a half litre of water. Roll the bottle around to mix it and then remove the duct tape and drain the water.

·         Step 9: -

Repeat the washing process until the biodiesel is clear. This may need to be done numerous times over the course of a week to complete the process. Store the Biodiesel in a glass container until ready to use.

For more information use these links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transesterification