Make Your Own Bio Diesel

Copyright © 2008
www.DIYPowerSystem.org

1
 Legal Disclaimer

The author and the publisher disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal or
otherwise, which is incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the use and
application of any of the contents of this book.

Copyright

You are not authorized or allowed to transmit copies of this file to anyone without
written permission, in case you received or purchased it. The use of this file is
limited to your personal use. Giving away copies to people who haven’t paid for
them is illegal under international copyright laws and will submit you to possible
legal action.

Copyright 2008 www.DIYPowerSystem.com

2
 Generate your bio diesel

It is high time for you to change your perspective when it comes to using the
conventional fuels. You have to become aware that the conventional fuels will
come to an end one day and you have to be prepared for this.

Therefore, you should pay attention to the following steps in order to learn
more about the right plan for your future change. The following lines will inspire
you to do the necessary change that will make the difference for your driving
experience.

You must improve your family life by implementing the necessary and
renewable systems of energy. You will also be helping your planet and
community when choosing to use the renewable energies. You must not be a
rocket science in order to build and use these systems.

The green energy is to be preferred and this is the right moment for you in
order to take proper care of your planet. This lifestyle is much healthier and it
will make the difference for your future in no time. Bio diesel can make the
difference for your life. You can use it in order to heat your beloved home and
run the vehicles and you will not have to spend a fortune in order to achieve

3
satisfactory results. This is among the most popular alternatives to the
conventional fuels and you should use it in order to make the difference for
your present lifestyle.

The only thing that you will have to do is to build the bio
diesel processor in order to provide yourself with the
alternative fuel. You will need 55 gallon steel oil drum, 3
cement blocks, gallon plastic paint bucket with lids,
cordless drill, candy Thermometer, 12 volt DC trolling
motor, Propane heater and a long handle Paint Mixer.

This entire guide pays attention to the fact that the vegetable oil is a renewable
fuel and it can be provided at reasonable costs without having to waste a
fortune in order to get it.

The processor unit will require some basic chemistry. You will need to learn
more about the things that will happen while building and using this processor
unit. You will have to deal with a process called Transesterification.

This is the process of exchanging the alkoxy group of an ester compound by

another alcohol. All these reactions will be catalyzed by the addition of an acid
or base.

Therefore, you will have to make some precise calculations and

measurements in order to successfully turn the used veggie oil and its added
ingredients into the necessary Bio Diesel.

4
Therefore, you will have to pay attention to the right proportions. You should
start by finding a safe and comfortable place. You will have to place the 55
gallon drum right on the 3 cement blocks in order to rest in a very stable and
safe position.

You will have to set up the heater right underneath of this current setup. Next,
you should clamp the trolling motor right to the top of the barrel. These little
12V DC motors are likely to come with some little clamps. These little clams
are meant to be fastened to the boat. This setup is likely to work great and you
will not have to worry about unwanted consequences.

You need to mix the stuff rather vigorously in order to get the desired results.
You have to stir this mixture for the chemical reactions to take place. The
alcohol mixer will require some special conditions because this is where you
are likely to use the 5 gallon pail with the lid and the paint mixer.

You will have to drill a small hole right in the lid of the 5 gallon pail. You will
have to gently push the long paint mixer right through the hole and try to attach
it to the cordless drill. Then leave it off of the pail for now. You must close the
pail with the lid and then mix with the cordless drill later. You should continue

5
by mixing up a 20 gallon batch of bio diesel. You will have to use the same
proportions in order to get the wanted results. You will have to use 20 gallons
of used veggie oil and 4 gallons of methanol.

All these components can be purchased from the local store or you can go
online and find a reliable supplier that can provide you with everything you
need in order to get the necessary bio diesel.

You will also need 1 bottle of lye, 1 bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol, 1 PH test paper
package, 1 Chemical scale, 1 eye dropper with scale for measuring and 3
graduated test tubes. You should not forget about the assorted safety gear
that has to be used for every part of your body that is involved in the process.
Once you have purchased all these products, you can get started in order to
produce the bio diesel.

You should continue by straining the used vegetable oil. You will have to set
up a strainer right on the top of your storage tanks. When the used and old
veggie oil is poured in it, it will be strained in order to remove any debris. You
can also use the metal cooking filter that is specially made for this purpose. It
is available at almost every restaurant supply place.

6
Then, you should continue by putting 20 gallons of old and used vegetable oil
that has already been strained right into the 55 gallon drum that is set up on
the blocks. Then, you should hook up the mixer unit and start getting this stuff
moving a bit. Afterwards, you should turn on the heater underneath.

Get the oil to 110 degrees F and you will have to use the candy thermometer
in order to check the temperature. By heating the oil, you will melt any
hydrogenated vegetable oil that can be found in the batch. This process will
allow the chemical reaction to take place.

As soon as the batch of oil is heated to the necessary temperature, you will
have to turn off the heater. Then remove it from under the 55 gallon drum. You
have to be aware that the heater should be stored a safe distance away. You
must be careful in order not to burn yourself.

Next, titration will come. You must determine the current PH of the oil and this
process is known as titration. You will be aiming for a PH of 8.5. You will need
to add some varying amounts of lye and methanol in order to bring it right to
that level. The process must be repeated until you get the PH reading right.
This is the moment when you will be sure that the right mixture has been
obtained.

You will have to convert all the gallons to liters first

because the measuring devices will measure in grams.
Since you need 3.5 grams of lye per liter of oil you will

7
need 3.5 x 75.7 liters = 264.95 grams of lye for your batch. Some old oil you
get is likely to be overcooked. It will have high free fatty acid content. If you
have your own supplier that cooks the oil to the maximum, you should mix that
old oil with that coming from another supplier.

The oil must be liquid when it is to be found at room temperature. The previous
lines should b used as a genuine guide that will show you the right way in
order to avoid the unwanted consequences. The entire process of titration is of
paramount importance.

If you do not add enough lye you are not likely to remove the glycerin from
your bio diesel. If you use too much lye, you will end up with a big batch of
soap instead of valuable bio diesel. Therefore, the right measurements are to
be used in order to avoid these unwanted results.

You will have to make a solution by using the lye first; you will have to put 1
gram of lye in one liter of distilled water. Actually, you can make a batch of this
because you are likely to need it every time you will be interested to make a
batch of bio diesel. You can check the titration process by paying attention to
the following tips.

You will have to measure out 10 ml of the necessary isopropyl alcohol. Put it
right in a clean glass bowl then add 1 ml of the already used vegetable oil.
Then try and add 1 ml of the mixed lye solution. You will have to mix it very
well. Then test the PH of this mixture with the PH test kit. This kit usually
comes with a little piece of paper that is called litmus paper.

8
This piece of paper changes color as the PH changes. You will have to match
the color with the chart that is provided in the kit. The entire process is
extremely simple. The PH is likely to be somewhere around
the 6,5-7.5 mark. You should remember that you are aiming
for the PH of 8.

Therefore, you will have to add some more lye solution to the
test bowl to get it there. You will have to take the eye dropper. Only add 1 ml
of the lye solution at a time and you should try and keep track of how many ml
of this lye solution you have already added.

When the test mixture reaches about PH 8.5, you will have to stop for a
minute. You will have to calculate your future steps and amounts of solution in
order not to spoil the final result.
Therefore, you have to use the recorded ml of lye solution that you added to
the test mix. You will have to take this number. Add 3.5 to this number and
write the new number down.

We should call this the Test Batch Ratio. You have to be aware that each
batch of used veggie oil is going to be slightly different. You will have to do this
preliminary testing for each of your future batches. Therefore, you need to take
the Test Batch Ratio Number because this is the exact number of grams of lye
you are likely to need per liter of oil.

You should also remember that the acid level is likely to be different for every
batch. You must do this test phase each time in order to provide yourself with
consistent results. Pay attention and always double check your calculations.

9
Mixing the lye and the methanol will be the next step for
you and you will have to do it in a careful and extremely
safe way. You have to be aware that methanol is highly
toxic and even explosive. This is to be regarded as the
most dangerous part of making the bio diesel. Extra caution
is of paramount importance and it should be taken right at
this point.

Therefore, you must wear the protective gear. You must not touch and
breathe the fumes. Extra ventilation should be provided in order to stay healthy
and safe while performing this extremely important process.

So, you should start by pouring 4 gallons of Methanol right into the 5 gallon
bucket with the lid. You will have to remember that you have the cordless drill
and the paint mixer ready to go and be used. The 4 gallons of Methanol is to
be regarded as a constant number.

Then, add the lye to the bucket and put the lid on tightly. Afterwards, you
should mix the Methanol-Lye mixture by using the cordless drill on low speed
for about a minute. You will have to make sure it mixes properly and you will
have to move the drill around a bit.

The bucket is getting warm because there is a chemical reaction that is taking
place and this reaction is called exothermic reaction. Therefore, you must be
careful in order not to hurt yourself or your helper.

10
Then, you should add the Methanol-Lye Mixture right to the 20 gallons of oil
but you will have to be extra careful in order not to breathe the
toxic fumes. You must not touch this mixture with your bare
hands because you can get hurt or burned. Just be extremely
careful in order to avoid unwanted accidents and
consequences.

Then, you should turn on the trolling motor. Mix vigorously for
about an hour but you will also have to turn it to face in different directions.
You will have to pay attention in order not to sit too close to this mixing in order
to avoid accidents.

Then, look at your watch and let this bio diesel settle for exactly 24 hours. If
you have made everything all right, you will be provided with the necessary bio
diesel and with thick and brown glycerin that will be accumulated at the
bottom of your barrel.

Afterwards, you can use a small DC pump in order to pump the beautiful and
light amber colored bio diesel into fuel cans. You will have to leave the
Glycerin right where it is for the time being. You may also install a metal tap in
order to have the glycerin drained off.

You should use a funnel style filter on the pump line in order to filter out any
chunks of stuff before you try and put the bio diesel into the cans. You can
also pump the fuel right into large tanks for convenient pumping into the
vehicle. This set up was designed in order to make everything easier for you

11
and for all the people who are interested to use the bio diesel in order to warm
their beloved homes and drive their cars.

The bio diesel vehicle will come along with plenty of benefits for you and your
family. This alternative fuel can burn in a clean way
without polluting the environment and you can rest
assured that you have played your own role when it
comes to saving the planet.

This alternative fuel can also be used as a mild

solvent and your driving experience will be improved
in a dramatic manner. The vehicle will run much better and you will not have to
worry about your bills.

On the contrary, you can forget about the rising costs of the conventional fuels
because you will be provided with the greatest and cost effective solution that
will save your time and money. The fuel tank and even the engine will be
cleaned by the bio diesel and this is one of the main reasons why you should
consider manufacturing and using this alternative fuel that can work miracles
for you and your car. Your beloved vehicle will be maintained and you will not
have to spend a fortune in order to achieve these great effects.

12
Still, you will have to make sure that you can produce the perfect fuel for your
vehicle. You will have to test your bio diesel in order to avoid unwanted
consequences. You will also have to make sure that you wash the internal
engine and injectors in order to prevent them from becoming clogged.

You can do this by adding some water to the bio diesel in order to remove all
the impurities and maintain your vehicle in the proper shape. The impurities
must be removed in order not to affect the state of your vehicle. Your driving
experience will be improved in no time and you will not have to worry about
your driving conditions anymore. You can relax and enjoy the trip because the
bio diesel will do its job.

But if you decide to wash the bio diesel, you should pay attention to the
following tips in order not to spoil the wanted effects. For instance, you can
use the so-called mix washing method in order to remove the existing
impurities that may affect the way the engine works.

Therefore, you will have to provide yourself with another 55 gallon drum in
order to build the necessary mix station. Put the 20 gallon batch right in the
washing drum but you will also have to be careful in order not to put any
glycerin in it. Then, you should continue by adding 5 gallons of plain water. Stir
gently with a broom. Do not stir vigorously.

You are not likely to want to end up with a mess of soap on your hands. You
will have to let the mixture settle overnight. Then drain the water from the
bottom drain and you will have to repeat this process 3 times until all the water
comes out clear and with a PH of nearly 7.

13
You can also use the so-called mist method. Just get a mist watering
attachment that is usually used for watering the
lawn and try to mist the top of your bio diesel
until you will be provided with 5 gallons of plain
water in the mix. You will have to let is stand for
almost 4 hours and then try to drain it off.

Afterwards, you should rinse and repeat the entire process 3 times until the
obtained water is clear with a PH of 7. People can also use an aquarium air
stone in order to filter their bio diesel. They will have to add the air stone right
to the bottom of the washing tank then add the 5 gallons of water and let the
air pump run gently for almost 4 hours.

Afterwards, they should drain off the water and try to repeat the entire process
3 times until the water is clear with a PH of 7. Regardless of the method you
choose, you should remember that the fuel must be filtered before being put in
the vehicle.

14
The bio diesel can be used for many purposes. For instance, you should take
a better look at its use as home heating oil. The bio diesel can be used instead
of the conventional fuels in order to warm your beloved space. It is a clean-
burning fuel and it can become your main substitute for the conventional and
non-renewable fuels. You have to be aware that the current prices for the
conventional heating oil have doubled in the recent years.

Therefore, the answer to this crisis can be found in the constant use of the bio
diesel. This renewable fuel is likely to come with plenty of advantages that may
convince you to producer it and use it on a daily basis without wasting your
money on the conventional and expensive fuels.

This fuel burns cleaner when compared to the conventional fuels. It also
releases fewer emissions and you have to be aware that the emissions
released by the conventional fuels are likely to be extremely dangerous for
your health.

This may become one of your main

reasons why you should start
producing and using this bio diesel that can change your lifestyle in a dramatic
manner. The bio diesel will rely only on the domestic sources of energy and
this energy will be a renewable one.

Therefore, you are going to save your money when investing in the constant
manufacturing of this alternative fuel. The only thing that you should be aware
of is the fact that this alternative fuel will require a warm tank in order to
maintain all its initial properties. The bio diesel may gel when exposed to

15
colder temperatures and you will have to pay attention to this aspect in order
to get the wanted results. This fuel can also be mixed in the same way you do
with the petroleum diesel. You will have to fill the tank half way with this
alternative fuel and the rest of is should be filled with the wanted and
commercial heating oil in order to maintain the bio diesel in the right shape.

The commercial heating oil will come along with all its main and non-freezing
properties thus warming the bio diesel. This alternative fuel can be the right
answer to all your problems but you will have to use it in the right way in order
not to spoil its positive effects. All home heating problems can be addressed
thanks to its amazing properties and you should get started today in order to
produce and use this bio diesel on a daily basis. So, the only thing that you
should remember is that making your own alternative fuel is not a very
complicated process.

On the contrary, you can produce the bio diesel in the comfort of your home
and you can start using it on a daily basis. The basics must be mastered in
order to provide yourself with satisfactory results. So, if you want to get away
from the rising costs of the conventional fuels, you have arrived at the right
place because our guide can show you the right way.

Every diesel engine is going to accept the fuel you will produce in your home
but you have to pay attention to every single detail in order not to spoil the final
results. Every homemade kit will consist of two major parts. The necessary
tools can be found at your local store or you can go online in order to find a
reliable supplier that can offer you some reasonable deals. Therefore, you will
need a large tank in order to hold the waste cooking oil; you will also need a

16
small tank in order to provide the necessary shelter for the catalysts which will
be the methanol and sodium hydroxide. You should not forget about the tubing
system because this system is used in order to transfer the necessary
catalysts right to the tank with the waste veggie oil. You will also need the bio
diesel pump that will be used to transfer all the liquids from one tank to
another. It can also be used for mixing and washing.

Next, you should provide yourself with the necessary heater; for instance, this
heater can be your normal water heater. And now we should take a closer look
at the necessary components that are vital in order for you to produce the
cost-effective bio gas. You will need vegetable oil because this is the main
ingredient when it comes to producing alternative fuels.

Therefore, you must provide yourself with a ready

source in order to use this main ingredient. You should
provide yourself with methanol because this is the
catalyst that will be used in order to make the precious
bio diesel.

Another catalyst you are going to use is sodium hydroxide. All these are the
basic parts when it comes to producing bio diesel in the comfort of your own
home and without having to invest a huge amount of money in order to
produce this valuable fuel.

17
The bio diesel is to be regarded as a sort of diesel equivalent because it can
make your car run and improve your driving experience in a dramatic manner.
You will also save some money and you are not going to regret your choice
when seeing its positive effects. This bio diesel will be processed from some
biological resources.

These renewable resources can be used in order to produce a fuel that is

completely free of pollutants. This fuel is free of aromatics and sulfur and you
should think about this aspect that will improve the air you breathe. The bio
diesel is an oxygenated fuel because it is composed of 1o percent oxygen.
This is the main reason why this alternative fuel can provide you with a
significant reduction when it comes to the monoxide emissions that can be
extremely dangerous for your health.

This alternative fuel is also safe to transport and handle and you can also
blend it with petroleum diesel in order to create a highly effective mixture that
will make your car run without having to modify its engine. The bio diesel
comes along with a wide range of benefits and you should think about these
positive features in order to convince yourself that this is the best thing for you
and your car.

You will not have to spend huge amounts of money on the conventional gases
and you can also forget about the constant pollutants that are emitted when
driving on petroleum fuels. Instead, you should use the bio diesel because it
can improve your driving experience in no time. For instance, you should
become aware that this fuel will reduce your engine wear and your vehicle will

18
be maintained in its best shape without having to invest more money in it. The
bio diesel will also clean your engine as soon as you start using it as a fuel for
your vehicle. All the deposits will be removed and the fuel injectors will be
prevented from getting clogged. Still, you will have to change the present fuel
filter in order to prevent unwanted consequences from happening.

People have become aware that the chemical content that is to be found in
every conventional fuel is likely to damage the vehicle in the long run.
Therefore, they should use the alternative solutions in order to prevent this
from happening.

The bio diesel is likely to become engine friendlier and you should think about
this aspect in order to start producing this fuel. You will be provided with an
optimized performance and you will be glad that you have made this wise
choice.

The natural ingredients of the bio diesel will improve the way the engine works
and you will notice the difference in no time. Energy sources are of paramount
importance when it comes to preserving our planet.

19
Therefore, you should make this step in order to preserve the natural
resources of your environment. You will be helping your family too because
your children will breathe a fresher and cleaner air. The natural resources are
limited and you have to become aware of this in order to stop using the
conventional fuels.

These fuels are a total waste when it comes to using the natural resources in a
wise manner. Therefore, you should start living without petroleum and you can
pay attention to our guide in order to learn more about the first steps you
should make in order to become petroleum free.

The alternative fuels are the best solutions and you should start using them
too in order to play your own role when it comes to preserving out beloved
planet. The alternative fuels are beneficial for nature
and you will not waste its natural resources anymore.

On the contrary, you will be using used and old edible

oils. The vegetables oils are to be used in order to
replace your petroleum fuels with the bio ones. The bio diesel is a cost
effective solution. It is also completely safe and you should also pay attention
to the fact that this alternative fuel is also environment friendly.

Therefore, you will be saving your money and your environment in just a single
movement. By using this bio diesel, you will help the whole nature to save its
limited resources. The multiple benefits should be seized. What are you
waiting for? Just go online and start looking for the necessary tools in order to
make this option become a friendly reality for you and your environment.

20
You should provide yourself with all the necessary ingredients. You must
purchase methanol, sodium hydroxide and cooking oil. Used cooking oil is to
be preferred in order to obtain a quality bio diesel that will not affect the way
your vehicle runs. You will have to heat the oil.

You must drain it too and you have to do it twice in order to make sure that no
muck is left in. You will have to take your time in order to do this because this
is the best solution in order to prevent the fuel filters from becoming clogged.
We recommend you to try and begin with the so-called test batch of this bio
diesel in order to make sure you are on the right way.

You will need a kitchen scale and a blender in order to perform this test. You
will also need a ratio of almost 6 grams of methanol to one liter of cooking oil.
This measurement is to be regarded as a genuine guide that can teach you
the right steps when it comes to producing your own bio diesel.

This is the best way for you to perform a batch test but if you are interested to
find out more about the exact calculation, you will have to use a larger batch.
Afterwards, you should heat the oil and add the methanol solution.

Then, you should mix these components in the blender and you should let this
mixture to stand to settle. If this batch test is a successful one, you are likely to
see that the resulted glycerin has sunk right to the bottom of the obtained
mixture.

21
The glycerin has to look black in order for you to know that the process was
successful and helpful. The glycerin should sink right to the bottom of your
blender and the resulted bio diesel should be floating right to the top.

The bio diesel must have an amberish color because this will mean that you
have separated the necessary mixture and you have done it well. The
molecular structure of the vegetable oil will be changed and its original status
is not likely to be reached again.

Once you are sure that your calculations are correct, you should start to mix
the ingredients in bigger batches in order to produce the needed bio diesel.
You will also have to make up a special plant in order to handle your larger
amounts of oil. Still, you will have to check your bio diesel on a constant basis
in order to change the formula as soon as something is not right.

Therefore, you need to take proper care in order to make the calculations and
use them in the right way. These calculations have to be right and exact in
order for you to start making some larger batches. You will also have to be
extremely careful when handling all these materials in order not to get hurt.
Safety precautions are to be taken in order to protect your body from injuries
or burns.

22