Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines made from vegetable oil and/or animal fats. Because it is derived from renewable organic materials and has been shown to reduce certain harmful emissions when burned compared to conventional diesel, biodiesel has received widespread attention as a "green" energy source. This is a step towards synthesizing this renewable fuel itself.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Preparation
Step 1. Work in a safe place
This can be meaningful in a clinical laboratory environment. You can find suitable laboratories on most campuses and research institutes. Working from home is also possible but caution is required - producing your own biodiesel can be illegal and can put you at risk of fire.
A good workplace is well ventilated and has access to running water, eye wash, fire extinguisher, spill containment supplies, and telephones
Step 2. Adhere to the laboratory dress code
Most laboratories have clothing instructions that you should follow. You should always wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and shoes in any laboratory setting.
When making biodiesel, you should also wear an apron for heavy work, chemical-resistant handkerchiefs (butyl rubber is best when dealing with methanol and caustic soda) and protective goggles. The handkerchief should either reach your elbow or have a retractable cuff over your long-sleeved shirt
Step 3. Get good quality oil
The easiest oils to use for biodiesel are neutral vegetable oils like canola, corn, and sunflower oils – these are readily available in supermarkets and have a low melting point, which means they won't solidify when they get too cold.
- Avoid using peanut, coconut, palm, beef and lard oils. These oil sources solidify at relatively high temperatures. Biodiesel usually has a lower melting point than the fuel oil, but these oils can still be difficult for beginners.
- Also avoid olive oil. Those oils, along with peanut, palm, beef tallow and lard all contain more acid than those in the recommended neutral oils. This additional acid can interfere with the reaction that takes place to produce biodiesel.
- Can also use vegetable oil used for cooking. However, used cooking oil should be filtered first to remove particulates, then set aside for 24 hours to separate the oil from water or other impurities. Pure oil will be clear and bright, without sediment.
Step 4. Ensure all containers are clearly labeled
Use the container only for making biodiesel - don't use it for storing food after this, even if you wash it well.
Method 2 of 2: Procedure
Step 1. Add 200 ml of methanol to a glass stirrer
Take care not to splatter or spill. Set the blender to "low."
Step 2. Add 3.5 grams of caustic soda
Try weighing the caustic soda quickly, as it absorbs moisture from the air. Therefore, make sure you tightly seal the container where the caustic soda came from.
The reaction that followed was between the methanol and the caustic soda to produce sodium methoxide. Sodium methoxide cannot be left for long, as it degrades in the presence of air and moisture
Step 3. Allow the caustic soda to completely dissolve in the methanol
This process should take about two minutes. Continue to the next step once the mixture is clear, with no undissolved particles.
Again, note - sodium methoxide degrades quickly, so move on to the next step as soon as possible once the caustic soda is completely dissolved
Step 4. Heat 1 liter of vegetable oil to 130° F (55° C) Add the hot oil to the mixture
Let the new mixture sit for about 20-30 minutes.
As the reaction proceeds, two products are formed - biodiesel and glycerin
Step 5. Pour the mixture into a wide-mouthed glass container or jug
Let the mixture sit still.
The mixture should separate into two layers The mixture should separate into two layers - biodiesel and glycerin. Since the density of biodiesel is less than that of glycerin, it should float, forming a top layer
Step 6. Let the mixture sit for a few hours
When it has separated completely, carefully store the topcoat for use as your biodiesel fuel.
Separate the top layer from the bottom layer very carefully using a dropper or pump
Step 7. Dispose of the glycerin properly
Consult a waste disposal authority to find out if glycerin can be disposed of with your regular trash – usually it can.
If you don't want to waste your glycerin, consider pouring it into a compost pile to increase the rate of decomposition or using it to make soap. See our wikiHow Making Glycerin Soap for more information
Tips
- Raising the temperature of your mixture further will cause the reaction to take place more quickly. However, too high a temperature will result in less biodiesel in total.
- Use glass (not plastic) containers. Methanol can react with plastic, thus changing the direction of the reaction.
- Work in a well-ventilated area. Most campus laboratories and research laboratories should have workplaces equipped with vacuum hoods to minimize the risk of hazardous fumes.
- If a precipitate forms under your biodiesel, make sure you avoid it getting into your fuel tank. Filter the biodiesel until the sediment is removed.
- Work near a sink with running water.
Warning
- Handle methanol very, very carefully. Methanol is the most dangerous chemical to produce biodiesel. This substance is highly flammable and can cause burns or explode with a single spark. This substance is also toxic and can cause blindness if inhaled or swallowed.
- Do not bring food or drink to work.
- Caustic soda is corrosive to the skin. Keep a bottle of vinegar close at hand – if caustic soda splashes on your skin, immediately rinse the affected area with vinegar to neutralize the chemical, then rinse with water.
- Keep the workplace away from distractions. Do not attempt to synthesize biodiesel around children or animals.
- Consult your manual or automaker before using biodiesel in your vehicle. Biodiesel can be harmful to vehicles that are not designed to work with it.
