Here you can learn about the process in which converts vegetable oil and other oils into biodiesel to make it easier for you when you get underway. Before you purchase your own biodiesel processing equipment you may wish to gain an understanding about how the process works.
The process that converts vegetable oil into biodiesel is called transesterification and it is surprisingly simple. To start with vegetable oil is stored in the larger of the two vessels and is heated to approximately 50° C, meanwhile in the smaller vessel sodium hydroxide is dissolved in methanol using air agitation. When sodium methoxide is created (sodium hydroxide + methanol) and when the vegetable oil is suitably heated the sodium methoxide is dropped into the vegetable oil. Roughly 45 minutes of air agitation of the new mixture causes the vegetable oil to lose its viscosity as the glycerine molecules are stripped from the oil leaving glycerine and crude-biodiesel. The glycerine is then drained off and then the crude-biodiesel is water washed. The water is heavier than the diesel therefore sinking to the bottom dragging down the impurities in the process. The water is then drained off and biodiesel is left in the tank ready to use.
Where do I get vegetable oil? It can be collected free or for a modest cost from restaurants, cafés, hospitals, chip shops, or any mass catering activity or even bought new over the counter from a supermarket.
Where do I get sodium hydroxide and methanol? They can be purchased from any chemical supplier. They are relatively inexpensive and no license is required.
How do I bubble the air? An air compressor is needed which can be bought with your order.
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