Bio Diesel Production

The phrase “biodiesel production” can sound a bit intimidating, but it’s nothing to worry about. You can easily make this new alternative source of fuel in the comfort of your own home. These fuels are great because not only are you making them yourself, cutting down on your consumption, you’re also using a renewable source of energy. In order to make this fuel, you use simple vegetable oil as the base and a few chemicals and you’re on your way to greater energy independence.

Used vegetable oils are often what are recycled for biodiesel production. This is great idea, but for the novice, requires a bit more work and goes beyond the basic process. So start with clean unused oils if you’re going to try this at home.

Essentially, biodiesel production begins when an amount of a lye catalyst (usually potassium hydroxide) is added to vegetable oil. Just like any recipe, how much depends on the size of the batch. Regardless of size, next an alcohol (most likely methanol) is added. These solutions are dissolved in the oil through agitation (spinning or shaking for smaller batches).

The mixture is then put into a processor, a type of centrifuge, which also heats the mixture. This process causes the chemicals to work on the vegetable oil, turning it into biofuel. After this process, the solution is rested until a glycerine by-product separates. Once this resting is complete, the by-product is removed and then the full is ready to use after it is “washed,” meaning the excess methanol is removed.

Related Information

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Biodiesel Fuel
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