Energy Alternatives

Homemade Biodiesel – How to Prepare Them

The great thing about homemade biodiesel is that it is actually very easy to prepare. In fact, all you would really need are a few supplies that you can easily find in your local hardware store.

The following are the supplies that you need to buy from your hardware store: scales, some funnels and plastic containers, empty water bottles, and duct tape. If you do not have a blender at home, then you can get one from your hardware store as well. Aside from these supplies, you should also prepare about a liter of vegetable oil, some antifreeze, and lye, and you are just about ready to start making your own biodiesel.

The first thing to do is ensure all equipment is clean and dry. This is needed to handle the ingredients properly. Now, you are ready to measure 200 ml of antifreeze and place it in a plastic container. Use a funnel for to transfer your antifreeze to your plastic container. Quickly mix lye into the plastic container as well. Remember that lye can absorb water quite rapidly so make sure to work very fast when mixing lye with antifreeze. Working slowly would allow your lye to absorb water from the atmosphere, and this can disrupt the whole process. Cover the container and then shake the ingredients very rapidly. Keep doing this until the container becomes warm to the touch. Lye dissolves right into the antifreeze and then becomes sodium methoxide. When you see no more particles floating around, then your sodium methoxide is ready.

Prepare your blender and mix your vegetable oil with your sodium methoxide. Prior to blending these together, your vegetable oil should be heated to approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit. While blending, make sure your cover is shut tight. Just maintain a low blending speed for approximately 20 minutes.

Using a funnel, transfer your blended contents into an empty water bottle and close the cap tightly. Let the contents settle on their own for roughly 8 hours. After which, you will find a dark layer has formed at the bottom of your bottle, and your pale liquid remains at the top portion. The dark layer is actually your glycerin and the pale one is your biodiesel. You should then remove your biodiesel from the bottle into another jar or bottle. Make sure the new one is very clean and dry.

Have two wash bottles ready to process the biodiesel. Find a corner in two water bottles and pierce a hole in each of these. Use duct tape to cover the holes after. Transfer your biodiesel into one of the bottles then add half a liter of fresh water. Screwing the cap tightly, mix the oil and water very well. Remove your duct tape to reveal the hole and then start draining water from the biodiesel. Once your biodiesel is clear, you can then use it to power your engines. And these are the steps towards homemade biodiesel!

Yes, it is that easy! It does not really take the biodiesel expert to come up with your own homemade biodiesel

For more tips on making your own biodiesel, CLICK HERE