Biodiesel is an alternative, clean-burning fuel that can be used in any diesel engine. You can make your own homemade biodiesel using a few basic ingredients: vegetable oil, methanol and lye. The oldest technological university in the United States, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has put together a biodiesel recipe using these three ingredients. You should use extreme caution when making your own biodiesel because there is a potential for chemical burns and inhalation of toxic fumes. Always use safety equipment to minimize your risk of these dangers.
Vegetable Oil
At the heart of any biodiesel recipe is the actual oil, and vegetable oil is an economical and plentiful choice compared to other types of oils found in your kitchen. Vegetable oil is about 20 percent glycerin, which is separated from the vegetable oil in a process called transesterification, according to VeggieBus.com. When vegetable oil is mixed with an alcohol, such as methanol, and then combined with a catalyst, such as lye, the glycerin is separated from the vegetable oil. With the glycerin taken out of the mixture, the result is far less viscous, which will help to increase engine efficiency.
Alcohol/Methanol
Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a flammable alcohol. It is produced using a chemical process that combines natural gas and a catalyst to produce methanol and water vapor as a byproduct. Using methanol that is 25 percent by volume will produce the highest quality biodiesel with a complete reaction of approximately 98 percent, according to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Methanol is combined with the catalyst, usually sodium hydroxide or lye, which is then added to the vegetable oil. When combining methanol and lye, be cautious because the fumes released are toxic. Mix these chemicals in a well-ventilated area, such as outdoors, to protect yourself from the fumes.
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is also known as lye, and it can be purchased at most plumbing or home improvement stores. Sodium hydroxide is used as the catalyst in the biodiesel making process. Lye is a corrosive substance that can cause skin burns, so it’s important to wear rubber gloves when handling it. Steve Howell, the technical director for the National Biodiesel Board, says that sodium hydroxide is the catalyst of choice when it comes to making homemade biodiesel because it is effective and cheap. The disadvantage of using lye is that when mixed with methanol, it can become extremely explosive if exposed to a spark of flame. BiodieselMagazine.com recommends using extreme caution when handling this mixture of ingredients, and never to handle these ingredients near an open flame of any kind. You should always wear protective gloves and face mask when making biodiesel to help protect against burns and other potential health hazards.
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