How to make Biodiesel ?

Biodiesel is considered one of the best alternative fuels specifically designed to extend the usefulness of petroleum with the longevity as or cleanliness of diesel engines. Biodiesel cannot replace the role played by petroleum & diesel but it helps a lot to create a balanced energy policy and the most to benefit is the United States.

Biodiesel is usually produced from vegetable oils, used cooking oils, and animal fats. This fuel is made by the process known as transesterification. Transesterification is responsible for converting the fats and oils into biodiesel and glycerin.

It is essential to keep in mind; 100 pounds of oil or fat to react with 10 pounds of short-chain alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. Moreover, glycerin acts as a co-product and use in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. 

It’s surprising to know that more than 80 percent of Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil. Some of the popular vegetable oils are soybean and canola oil. It is the same as the cooking oil you purchase for your home.

How to make Biodiesel

Methanol is used as an essential element to make Biodiesel in the process of transesterification. In this process, methanol converts the triglycerides into usable biodiesel fuel. There is an excellent need to concern that the transesterification process directly reacts methanol with the triglyceride oils. The triglycerides are present vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled greases. 

However, the production of biodiesel fuel continues to grow around the globe. This process is used at both small and large-scale commercial operations. 

Make your Biodiesel fuel

You can also make your biodiesel fuel by filtering your waste vegetable oil in a plastic bucket. Firstly, there is a need to remove all the food leftovers from the fryer with a paint filter. The filtrate can mix with the occasional chunks. You have to mix all your oil from the various sources because there is a need for a uniform sample. 

The next step involves titration to check the acidity of vegetable oil. In this process, phenolphthalein as an indicator dye is used. A mixture makes the pigment of methanol and sodium hydroxide. Add an acidic waste oil to the mix with the help of a calibrated pipette.

You have to trickle a necessary reagent in this step until the mixture stays purple for 10 seconds. As we know that there are different types of biofuels , the quantity of biodiesel reagent determines the amount of methoxide to add to the oil. It completes the transesterification process. 

How to make Biodiesel?

Heat the oil at 120 Fahrenheit. After that, add the calculated amount of methanol/hydroxide mixture and agitate for an hour. It is the stage where oil is converted into Biodiesel. Just wait and allow all the heavier glycerin to settle out for a few hours.

After a few hours, drain the glycerin from the bottom. You will get you to get Biodiesel pouring from the valve with a fragile consistency. Moreover, water is used to wash the extra methanol and other residues. You can also drain the water when it settles entirely in the bottom after a few hours. Water in the vessel will be resolved in a few hours, where you can drain it out.

Essential Consideration in making Biodiesel 

There is a use of little bit chemistry in the transformation process of vegetable oil into biodiesel transesterification. We all know that vegetable oil is made up of chains of fatty acids. These chains are bonded together with the help of glycerin molecules.

Methanol is used to break this bond of fatty acids. You can also use potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide instead of methanol. However, methanol usage takes the glycerol place by leaving shorter, lighter, and more explosive molecules. In this way, you get the oil that burns with the direct replacement for petroleum-based diesel fuel.

However, you can also make diesel fuel for reducing pollution. Getting the right supplier of vegetable oil when fuel prices are low ensures an adequate supply when the demand rises. Keep in consideration that biodiesel stores very well in a cool and dry place. If you are making a lot of the stuff, this method is one of the best ways to show your little investment in home-brew biodiesel futures as diesel prices climb.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post from Richard of StudyBiofuels. Prakati.in has only published the article. Article is only for general information and readers are requested to act only on professional advice.