UTAH BIODIESEL COOPERATIVE - Making Biodiesel

More info on making biodiesel can be found at 
the Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial

WARNING!!! Making biodiesel involves using dangerous chemicals, creating toxic fumes, and lots of heat. That said, please excercise safety and caution when attempting to make Biodiesel. 

***  The Utah Biodiesel Cooperative will not be held liable for any injury, property damage, or other problems resulting from the use of this page. It is for informational purposes only.  ***
 

Basic Production Concept


Biodiesel Production Details

Jack Jones Method - Adopted from Mike Pelly's Method
Written & put together by Graydon Blair of Utah Biodiesel Supply

This method will make approximately 35 to 45 gallons of biodiesel, depending on the quality of the oil used.


1- Pouring Oil Into The Processor
  • Obtain 150 liters (40 gallons) of used vegetable oil
  • Pre-filter the oil by pouring it through a strainer
  • Pour 150 liters (40 gallons) of the oil into the processor
2- Heating the oil prepares it for the reaction
  • Heat the oil to 120 Degrees Farenhiet
  • Check the tempurature with a thermometer

    • A candy or meat thermometer works just fine
  • Recommendation: 

    • Don't use an open flame to heat the processor, fumes from the Methoxide used later may ignite--not pretty!
3- Titration is the process used to see how much Lye to add to processor
Items Needed: Distilled Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Lye (NaOH), Graduated Eye-Dropper, Ph Meter, 2 Small Dishes, 1 Liter container 
  1. Create Lye/Water Solution

    2. - Dissolve 50 mL of Lye into 500 mL of Distilled Water in the 1 Liter container
    - You won't use all of this solution for one batch, it's just convenient to have this much on hand
    - When you run out, just make some more
  2. Prepare Dish 1

    3. - Place 5 mL of Lye/Water Solution into Dish 1
    - Place 45 mL of Distilled Water into Dish 1 
  3. Prepare Dish 2

    4. - Place 40 mL of Isopropyl Alcohol into Dish 2
    - Place a 4 mL sample of the heated Used Vegitable Oil into Dish 2
    - Mix the contents together, keeping the mixture warm, until the oil is dissolved thoroughly
    - Keeping the mixture warm and mixing will help to keeping the oil from separating
    - Check the Ph of Dish 2 using the Ph Meter
  4. Titrate The Oil

    5. - Drop 1 mL of solution from Dish 1 into Dish 2
    - Measure and record the Ph Level of Dish 2
    - Repeat until the Ph level jumps up 2-3 levels
    - You're looking for a Ph above 8.5
    - As you add drops, the Ph will increase slowly (like from 7 to 7.5)
    - At one point you'll notice a larger jump (like from 7.5 to 9 or 10)
    - When it jumps 2-3 Ph levels, it means the oil has been neutralized 
  5. Calculate Titration

    6. L = ((D / 4) + 3.5) * O
    D = Number of 1 mL drops placed in Dish 2 during titration
    O = Milli-liters of oil to be reacted L = Number of grams of Lye needed for reaction to occur
    -Record L for use in next step 
4- The Lye/Methonol Mixture - "Methoxide"
WARNING: THIS STEP WILL CREATE TOXIC FUMES, PLEASE TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS, DO NOT BREATH THE FUMES, WEAR GLOVES, AND BE CAREFUL
Items Needed: Methanol, Lye, and (2) 5 Gallon buckets with lids 
  1. Prepare Buckets

    2. - Clean both buckets out
    - Drill 1/4" hole in the center of each lid
  2. Prepare Methanol

    3. - Pour 15 Liters (4 Gallons) of Methonol into each bucket
    - Lightly place the lids on each bucket
    - Take care not to breath the fumes, they're poisonous
  3. Prepare Lye

    4. - Locate the L value from the Titration Step
    - Divide L by 2 to make GL
    - GL = Grams of Lye to use in each bucket
    - Measure out two sets of GL grams of Lye
    - Set aside for use when mixing with the Methanol 
  4. Mix The Buckets

    5. - Remove the lid of the first bucket - Using a mixing stick, begin to stir the Methonol in the 1st bucket
    - While the Methanol is still spinning, add the premeasured Lye to the 1st bucket
    - Continue stirring the mixture for about 1 minute
    - Place the lid on loosely and allow to stand for a few minutes
    - Remove the lid and begin stirring again
    - Mix until the Lye is dissolved, approximately 10 minutes
    - Repeat the same process with the second bucket
    - Take care not to breath the fumes, they're still poisonous
5- Pouring "Methoxide" Into Processor
  • Ensure Oil in Processor is at 120 Degrees Farenhiet (or slightly above)
  • Remove the lids from each bucket
  • Carefully pour the contents into the processor
  • Again, take care not to breath the fumes, yep, still poisonous
6- Mixing The Oil causes the chemical reacation to occur 
  • Mix 5 Minutes, Wait 10 Minutes
  • Repeat 4 times (Approximately 1 Hour Of Mixing)
7- Allow Oil To Separate
  • Let the mixture sit for at least 8 hours
  • This allows for the Biodiesel and Glycerin to separate
  • The Biodiesel will rise to the top while the Glycerin will fall to the bottom
  • Between the Biodiesel and Glycerin layers may be extra residue, usually soap
  • If this occurs, it means a little too much Lye was used
8- Remove Glycerin Layer
  • Remove the Glycerin (and Soap) layer(s) from the Processor
  • All that should be left in the processor is the unwashed Biodiesel layer
  • Dispose of the Glycerin that was drained off
  • Glycerin can be used as a degreaser, and also can be made into soap
9- Washing The Biodiesel
Washing can be done using a water mister and a bubbler 
  1. Misting

    2. - Using a light-mist, add 15 Gallons of water to the processor
    - Allow processor to sit for 10 minutes
    - Drain off water
    - Using a more agressive mist, add another 15 Gallons of water
    - Allow processor to sit for another 10 minutes
    - Do not drain the water, it will be used for the Bubbling 
  2. Bubbling

    3. - Place bubbler at bottom of processor and turn on
    - Begin with a light bubble
    - Watch for emulsion to occur, if not occuring, turn up bubbler
    - Bubble Biodiesel for at least 24 hours
    - Turn off the bubbler 
10- Allow Water & Oil To Separate
  • Allow Processor to sit for at least 8 hours
  • This allows the water & oil to separate
11- Remove Water Layer
  • Drain off water layer into a container
  • The water should be very clear
  • If the water is not clear, rewash the Biodiesel again
  • If the water is clear, proceed to the next step
12- Transfer To Storage Container The container's should be able to handle Gasoline or Diesel, as Biodiesel has a similar chemical make-up. 
  • Drain the remaining Biodiesel layer into an open container
  • Typically, this can be several 5 Gallon Buckets
13- Allow Biodiesel To Dry
This step allows all of the excess moisture to evaporate out of the Biodiesel. 
  • Place the open containers in the sun
  • Place screens on top of the open containers
  • Allow the Biodiesel to sit for about 8 hours
  • The length of time will vary by outside tempurature and weather
  • When it's dry, the Biodiesel should not be cloudy
  • You should be able to see the bottom of the container
  • When done, pour the Biodiesel into a storage container
  • Store until ready to use
14- Fill Fuel Tank
  • Fill the fuel tank of any Diesel Engine
  • Biodiesel can be mixed with regular Diesel Fuel in any ratio
  • Once Biodiesel is in tank, you're ready to go
  • NOTES ON USING BIODIESEL:

    • - Biodiesel should be treated much like Diesel Fuel
    - Pure Biodiesel can be run in vehicles in tempuratures over 40 degrees Farenheit
    - In cold weather it can be mixed with Diesel Fuel in a 50/50 mixture to keep it from gelling
    - Biodiesel tends to loosen "gunk buildup" in Diesel Fuel Tanks
    - You may need to replace your Fuel Filter after a few tanks
    - Enjoy driving on a completely renewable resource!

 

 

Biodiesel Recipes

The method described above is just one of many way's to produce Biodiesel. Below are some links to additional methods for making Biodiesel.
BIODIESEL AND CHEMICAL HANDLING GUIDELINES (MSDS Sheets)
Utah Biodiesel Cooperative - Copyright 2005