Will This Work?

[wallboy]

I have done loads of reading and everyone seems to make biofuel slightly different.

I have done the following:

1. Filtered used oil through 25, 10 and 1 micron filters
2. Mixed 7g Sodium Hydroxide with 200ml Methanol per every 1 Litre of oil
3. Poured the Sodium Hydroxide and Methanol in the oil and gave it a good shake

It has now been standing for 4 days and I can clearly see the Glycerine on the bottom and hopefully fuel on the top.

Will this very basic way actually work?

[knighty]

not sure on the chemical proportions you use etc..

but there was a vid of some people making it exactly like you are, just shaking it up in a 25litre can then leaving it to sit for a while

I think they were somewhere warmer tho.... which probably helps, and I think they went and gave it a shake now and again too


also, you don't need to filter the oil must before you mix it, you only need to filter any limps/ships out etc...  filter it after you make it, you need to filter it then anyway and it's much easier to filter bio than filter veg oil (because it's thinner)

this link: http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/3/27_test

shows you how to test your mix and see if it's fully reacted or not :-)

[Rossey]

You don't need to filter the oil, just sieve out the big bits.

Have a look at this

http://www.reuk.co.uk/Biodiesel-Recipe.htm

[julianf]

It has now been standing for 4 days and I can clearly see the Glycerine on the bottom and hopefully fuel on the top.

If youre seeing glycerol at the bottom, then you have some transesterification happening.

How much, however, you do not know, without testing the upper layer.

The upper layer (the one you call fuel) will be a mix of different things - there will be some methylesters in there, probably some triglycerides, some methanol, some soap.

Depending on how much you care, you may not want to be tipping this into your motor?

[Julian]

Welcome to the forum and wiki!

You've certainly grasped the basics, but like most things the to make quality biodiesel gets a little more complicated than that.

Many will advise not to filter oil before making bio.  I think you taken things a little too far filtering to 1µ.  The single most important aspect of making bio is to have dry oil.  By starting with well settled, and reasonably filtered oil you are eliminating as many food particles as possible.  These food particles can harbour water so they are best out of the way.  Filtering, if you are going to the trouble of doing it, will be sufficient through a course weave fabric.  This type of thing ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Tips_and_wrinkles_1#Homemade_sock_filters

You will will get a far more complete and quicker reaction if you heat the oil.  60° is generally accepted as a good temperature at which to process ... you don't mention reaction temperature in your post, but reacting at temperature should yield results in about an hour.

You catalyst figure is way too high.  The generally accepted quantity for sodium hydroxide is 5g/ltr plus the titration value.  See here for titration ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Titration   

As has been said in posts above, you are obviously getting some degree of conversion if you have glycerin settling out, but from what you describe it's not likely to be a complete conversion.  Try the 3/27 test suggested by knighty and once your bio passes that have a go at a 50/50 soap test ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Soap_tests  You will probably find this test difficult to pass due to the high level of catalyst you've used.

Are you are doing this as the Dr Pepper method ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Making_a_test_batch_of_biodiesel_or_the_Dr_Pepper_method.  If so it's all very good pratice for learning the process and understanding how things the reaction proceeds.  As posts above, it may not be advisable to put this fuel in your car, nor produce bio in bulk by this method for safety reasons.  Far better to build a SAFE processor, or get someone to build one for you.  See processor designs on the wiki, this being the most popular and safest ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Processor_-_with_methanol_condenser_(GL_design)

DON'T even entertain any of the "processors" offered on auction sites, most are very dangerous.  Many of the expensive, commercially built units, besides being grossly over priced, have numerous limitations and a few of those are dangerous too.

Keep reading the wiki, it's been put together by brewers with many years of experience and a broad spread of expertise.  Once you've digested that, come back and ask about anything of which you are unsure, someone will always be pleased to help.

[Rotary-Motion]

welcome chapper 

your in good hands, slowly slowly catcha monkey...