How to Make Biodiesel

Many people dream of fuel independence and set out to make their own fuel. Biodiesel is the choice for those who want to avoid commercial pumps, save some money and spare the environment of toxic greenhouse gases. But how to make biodiesel? According to the Biodiesel Workshop University of Chicago, biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterfication whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. This process results in two types of product: methyl esters and glycerine, a by-product that can be used to produce soap. Any scale is possible with this kind of process, which makes it suitable for small-scale, home production.

During transesterfication the vegetable oil or animal fat reacts with alcohol, like methanol, and a catalyst, like lye (which helps the reaction take place). These components are about 75% vegetable oil or animal oil, 22% alcohol and lye. These components are mixed together carefully and left to settle. Glycerin, which is heavy, settles to the bottom while biofuel stays on top. It is common to water wash the biodiesel to ensure that it's clean.

One great web destination to learn how to make biodiesel is kitchen-biodiesel.com. It includes a step-by-step guide with lots of illustrations. It gives a recipe on how to use new oil as raw material, which is very easy to follow and requires simple materials.

It is important to highlight that even when making biodiesel at home with simple, everyday materials, it is important to pay attention to safety. Chemical proof gloves, eye protection, apron and dust mask are some of the equipments required. It’s a good idea to carry out the work near running water so that any splashes can be washed off quickly. Finally, vehicle performance is not affected by the use of biodiesel and some drivers who swear by it go as far as to say that performance is actually enhanced. If you would like to try out a little bit of chemistry at home and make a small contribution to achieving independence from foreign oil, then making biodiesel may be the ticket for you.