Sometime ago, I had made a Science Project for my school exhibition on Bio-Diesel from Waste Vegetable Oil. It was a very exciting project as I came to know something new that we could re-use our used vegetable oil in our diesel engine car to get a very efficient fuel for the car. For anyone interested in bio-diesel and other renewable energy sources I encourage you to look through the extensive Journey to Forever website and Bio-fuel forums. This is a most exciting project so please spread the word about it. Anyway, here is a short, very short summary of the project.
This is how to make your own bio-diesel fuel from used cooking oil. The oil -- waste vegetable oil (WVO), used fryer grease, animal fats, and lard - is often free for the taking. All you need is a few common chemicals and some equipment you can easily buy or make yourself. The result is a cheap, clean-burning, non-toxic, renewable, high-quality diesel motor fuel you can use in your car without modifications.
CAUTION:
Wear proper protective gloves, apron, and eye protection and do not inhale any vapours. Methanol can cause blindness and death, and you don't even have to drink it, it's absorbed through the skin. Sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns and death. Together these two chemicals form sodium methoxide. This is an extremely caustic chemical. These are dangerous chemicals -- treat them as such!
Always have a hose running when working with them. The workspace must be thoroughly ventilated. No children or pets allowed.
Ingredients
Mixture:(a)Waste vegetable oil(WVO)-Used Vegetable Oil
(b)Methanol (CH3OH) -- 99%+ pure
(c)Sodium hydroxide (NaOH -- caustic soda, lye)
Titration:
(a) Isopropyl alcohol (b)Distilled water (c) pH tester.
Washing: (a)Vinegar (b)Water
Procedure (in short)
1. Filter WVO to remove any food scraps or solid particles.
2. Heat WVO to remove any water content (optional).
3. Perform titration to determine how much catalyst (here lye) is needed.
4. Prepare sodium methoxide by mixing sodium hydroxide and methanol.
5. Heat WVO; mix in the sodium methoxide while stirring.
6. Allow to settle, remove the glycerine (a by-product).
7. Wash and dry.
8. Check quality.
If u need more details feel free to contact me.
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