7/25/2019 How to Make Bio Diesel: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

How to Make Bio Diesel

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Updated: March 29, 2019

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines made from vegetable oil and/or
Explore this Article
animal fat. Since it is derived from renewable organic materials and has been shown to
reduce certain harmful emissions when burned compared to conventional diesel, Preparations
Procedure
biodiesel has received wide attention as a "green" source of energy. Here are steps to
Article Summary
synthesize this renewable fuel yourself.
Related Articles
References

Method
Preparations
1

1 Work in a safe place. This can mean in a clinical laboratory setting. You can find suitable laboratories at
most colleges and research institutions. Working at home is also possible but requires caution -
manufacturing your own biodiesel may be illegal and can put your house at risk of a fire, smoke or carbon
monoxide.
A good work place will be well-ventilated and have clear access to running water, eye-wash stations, fire
extinguishers, spill containment supplies, a fire alarm and a telephone to use in case of emergencies.[1]

2 Observe laboratory dress codes. Most laboratories will have posted dress instructions you should follow.
You should always wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and shoes in any laboratory setting.
When making biodiesel, you should also wear a heavy-duty apron, chemical-resistant gloves (butyl
rubber is best when handling methanol and lye) and protective goggles or eyewear.[2] The gloves should
come up to your elbows or have cuffs you can pull over your long-sleeve shirt.

3 Obtain good-quality oil. The easiest oils to use for biodiesel are neutral vegetable oils like canola, corn,
and sunflower oil - these oils are readily available at grocery stores and have a low melting point, which
means they won't solidify if they get too cold.
Avoid using peanut oil, coconut oil, palm oil, tallow, and lard. These sources of oil solidify at relatively
high temperatures. Biodiesel usually has a lower melting point than the oil it's made from[3], but these
oils can still be difficult for beginners.
Also avoid olive oil. It, peanut oil, palm oil, tallow, and lard all contain more acids than in the
recommended neutral oils. These extra acids can interfere with the reactions that take place to create
the biodiesel.
It's also possible to use waste vegetable oil which has been used for cooking. However, waste oil should
be filtered to remove particulates, then allowed to settle for 24 hours to separate the oil from any water
or other impurities. Pure oil will be clear and bright, with no sediment.[4]

4 Ensure all containers are well-labeled. Only use containers for making biodiesel - don't use them for
storing food afterwards, even if you wash them well.

Method
Procedure
2

1 Add 200 ml methanol to glass blender or mixer. Take care not to splash or spill. Set the blender or
mixer to "low."

2 Add 3.5 grams (0.02 oz) of lye. Try to weigh the lye quickly, as it absorbs moisture from the air. For this
reason, be sure tightly seal the container you got the lye from.

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The ensuing reaction between the methanol and lye produces sodium methoxide. Sodium methoxide
cannot be allowed to sit for long, as it degrades in the presence of moisture.

3 Allow the lye to completely dissolve in the methanol. The process should take about two minutes.
Proceed when mixture is clear, with no undissolved particles.
Again, be attentive - the sodium methoxide will degrade rapidly, so proceed to the next step as soon as
the lye is completely dissolved.

4 Heat 1 liter (0.3 US gal) of vegetable oil to 130° F (55° C) Add the hot oil to the mixture. Allow the new
mixture to blend for about 20-30 minutes.
As the reaction proceeds, two products are formed - biodiesel and glycerin.

5 Pour the mixture into a wide-mouthed glass container or pitcher. Allow the mixture to sit.

The mixture should separate into two layers - biodiesel and glycerin. Because biodiesel is less dense
than glycerin, it should float, forming the top layer.

6 Allow the mixture to sit for several hours. When it has separated completely, carefully keep the top
layer to use as your biodiesel fuel.
Separate the top layer from the bottom by pouring it off very carefully or using a baster or pump.

7 Dispose of the glycerin properly. Check with local waste disposal authorities to see whether glycerin can
be thrown out with your normal garbage - it usually can.
If you don't want to waste your glycerin, consider pouring it on a compost heap to increase the rate of
decomposition or using it to make soap. Consult our wikiHow on Making Glycerin Soap for more
information.

Community Q&A

Question

Can soybean oil be used for making diesel?

Community Answer

Yes, soybean oil is used to make commercial biodiesel and can be used at home for the same purpose.

Question

What trees make good bio diesel?

Community Answer

A tree named Jatropha, which bears fruits, and the seeds of the fruits are used for making bio diesel.

Question

Can I use groundnut oil to make bio diesel?

Community Answer

All naturals oils, fats, greases from vegetable/animal/algae can be used, they just need to be purified, filtered, then
dehydrated in order to be use in bio diesel production. The quantity of lye will be estimated with an acid titration test.

Question

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Can methanol be replaced by any other alcohol like ethanol or propanol?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use any alkyl alcohol. However, the larger the alcohol, the lower the yield in the trans-esterfication
reaction.

Question

Should I distill the glycerin to make it more pure for the juice, or is it okay as-is?

Community Answer

You should not use the glycerin as-is because it will contain a significant amount of methanol, and that is poisonous.
Also, there will be impurities like lye (poisonous in high concentrations) and free fatty acids, which take more effort to
remove than just the distillation. Only distill glycerin with specialized equipment, because the released methanol
vapors are both harmful to breathe and explosive if they reach a source of ignition.

Question

Is it recommended to use palm oil and if so, how can I neutralize the palm oil if I use it?

Community Answer

Unless you made the oil yourself from a local palm tree, don't use palm oil. It comes from rainforests and we don't
want the rainforests to be chopped down.

Question

Is the vegetable glycerin used in e-cigarette vaping made as a byproduct of soap or biodiesel or are they all the
same?

Community Answer

The production of glycerine can be done with a variety of different feedstocks and minor variations in the process,
but the end result, glycerine is chemically identical. Up until the advent of biodiesel, it would either have been
purposely made or the by-product or co-product of some other production. With biodiesel, the volume of glycerine
has increased dramatically.

Question

Where can I find lye to make bio diesel?

Community Answer

Depending where you are coming from, you can find Lye in in a grocery store, a drug store, or the internet.

Question

Does the methanol have to be 100%?

Community Answer

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If it's close, it should be fine. If it has significant amounts of water, it will likely appear as a third layer when the
biodiesel/glycerine separate, which will just make things a bit trickier and more annoying.

Question

Can I use denatured alcohol or methylated spirit if I don't have methanol?

Community Answer

Denatured alcohol is fine, the impurities are relatively small. The cost may be higher. Methylated spirits probably
won't work. Methanol is relatively easy to get. It is also known as "wood alcohol" or "methyl alcohol." Paint stores
and general automotive supply stores should have it.

Tips

Use glass (not plastic) containers. Methanol can react with plastics, altering the course of the reaction.
If a deposit forms at the bottom of your bio diesel, make sure you avoid getting it in your fuel tank. Filter the
biodiesel until the deposit is removed.
Work in a well-ventilated area. Most college and research laboratories should have work areas with vacuum hoods
designed to minimize the risks posed by harmful fumes.
Work near a sink with running water.
Increasing the temperature of the mixture will cause the reaction to proceed more quickly. However, temperatures
that are too high will yield less overall biodiesel.
Wear safety glasses!!

Warnings

Handle methanol with extreme care. Methanol is the most dangerous chemical used to produce biodiesel. It is
extremely flammable and can be caused to burn or explode with a single spark. It is also poisonous and can cause
blindness if inhaled or ingested.
Lye is corrosive to skin. Keep a bottle of vinegar on hand - in the event you splash any lye on your skin, rinse the
area immediately with vinegar to neutralize the chemical, then rinse with water.
Keep the work area clear of distractions. Do not attempt to synthesize biodiesel around children or animals.
Do not bring any food or drink into the work area.
Consult your owner's manual or vehicle manufacturer before using biodiesel in a vehicle. Biodiesel can harm
vehicles that are not built to run on it.

Things You'll Need

Long pants

Long-sleeve shirt

Shoes

Heavy duty apron

Chemical-resistant gloves

Protective goggles or eyewear

1 liter (0.3 US gal) vegetable oil

3.5 grams sodium hydroxide (lye)

200 ml methanol

Glass blender w/low speed option or other glass mixing apparatus

Digital scale (for measuring 3.5 grams)

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Graduated cylinder or measuring cup (for measuring 200 ml)

Glass container marked for measuring 1 liter (0.3 US gal)

Glass container that will hold at least 1.5 liters (0.4 US gal)(2-quart glass pitchers work well)[5]

References

1. http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/agrs103.pdf
2. http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/agrs103.pdf
3. http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html#start
4. http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html#start
5. http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/a/makebiodiesel.htm
6. - Detailed, easy-to understand procedures for synthesizing biodiesel.

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