What do I need to produce biodiesel?

Question

What do I need to produce biodiesel?
How much does it cost?

Answer 1

If you do it right, you need the following

Large barrel
immersion heater
methanol (or ethanol at a push, "meths" at a REAL push)
sodium hydroxide (lye / drain cleaner)

A supply of WVO (waste vegetable oil)

Add Oil to barrel, use immersion heater to warm oil
Add sodium hydroxide
Add methanol
Stir

Allow to settle

three layers: Glycerine, Bio-diesl, soap.

For actualy temps and quantities use google and search for "biodiesel recipe" - there are various ones, some of which have advantages over others.

As for cost, if you collect the oil from chip shops / restaurants, you will either get the oil free - or may even be able to make a small charge for it. The other ingredients are inexpensive in reasonably quanity - Methanol around £1 a litre or less - prob much cheaper in the US. SodHydrox also cheap - £1 or so a kilo, again perhaps less. you need realtively little of these two ingredients.

Be wary of answers saying "just use oil instead of diesel" - it CAN work, but it can also block the filters and pipes if the oil is cold and/or contains saturated fats (used chip shop fat will).

Diesel engines were actually first run on bio-diesel - not a lot of people know that :)

Answer 2

Try this link for some information:

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html

or just search on "home made biodiesel"

Answer 3

Its not an easy task Read The Book From The Famous George Washington Carver He Invented it 60 Years Ago, From Soy

Answer 4

Eat a lot of chili

Answer 5

soy beans