BIODIESEL

HOW TO MAKE BIODIESEL

Making a test batch from SVO (straight vegetable oil):
Materials:
- 1 liter of SVO (vegetable oil available at supermarkets)
- 200 ml of 99% methanol
- Lye (preferably Red Devil brand)
- Cupcake paper for measuring out lye
- Glass bottle larger than 1.5 liters
- Measuring beakers
- Blender - 2 liter bottle (can be soda bottle)

Procedure:
- Preheat oil to 130 deg F
- While heating, measure 220 ml of methanol and put into labeled mason jar
- Also measure out about 4 grams of lye into the same mason jar
- Cap jar and shake until lye is thoroughly dissolved
- Pour oil into blender
- Pour lye/methanol mixture into blender (do not breathe in the fumes!)
- Secure lid and blend (low power should be enough) for about 15 min.
- Pour into 2 liter bottle and let it settle for about a day

After leaving the oil to settle for about a day, you should see two layers. The bottom layer is the glycerin by-product of this process. The top level is the biodiesel. Carefully decant the biodiesel from the glycerin into a clean container. As for the glycerin, you can make it into glycerin soap. Boil off the methanol and the result is soap which can be used to wash dishes!

The Wash Test:
Add 1 liter of water to your 1 liter of biodiesel and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. The purpose of this test is to absorb any glycerin that might be floating around in your biodiesel. In about half an hour, you should be able to see very clearly a seperation between water and biodiesel. Decant the layer of biodiesel once again and you're good to go!

If you do not get good results, for example: the two layers don't separate, or if it separates too slow, then just try again. Practice making several batches of biodiesel until you get it right.