So How to make Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is easily manufactured and offers many benefits. In addition to releasing environment friendly exhaust emissions, it also improves engine performance. It’s so easy to make that you can manufacture it in your own garage or kitchen. Undoubtedly, biodiesel is a better fuel than the petro-diesel you get at any gas station.

Production of biodiesel mainly consists of altering the molecular structure of the organic oil with the assistance of a catalyst and an alcohol. This process involves a controlled chemical reaction which breaks down the individual oil molecules and with the presence of alcohol, replaces the glycerine portion of the molecule with the corresponding alcohol molecule.

The separated glycerine falls to the bottom of the furnace in which biodiesel is being manufactured. Usually a pore is provided at the bottom of this furnace through which glycerine is drained off and what is left behind in the furnace is called Biodiesel. The chemical name of Biodiesel is “Fatty acid methyl ester”. This chemical name simply signifies the fact that a Biodiesel is made from Methanol and organic oil with fatty acid chains in it. Now let’s examine the entire manufacturing process in a little detail.

First of all, the vegetable oil is simply heated to a designated temperature. This is done because the chemical reaction will only proceed once oil is heated to a specific temperature. Now once heated, a mixture of alcohol and catalyst is added to the vegetable oil. It is important to note here that without heating the oil upto a specific temperature, no reaction will take place but rather a simple mixture will be left behind.

This mixture of oil, catalyst and alcohol are then mixed for a period of time after which they are allowed to settle down. It is important to note here, that the catalyst does not play any role in the chemical reaction but simply hastens the entire process. Hence the catalyst simply plays the role of “speed enhancer” in the entire reaction without “chemically” taking part in the reaction itself. Without the catalyst, you probably have to heat the mixture for several hours before glycerine is separated.

Now, if the above procedure is successful then the molecular reaction between the oil, alcohol and catalyst will have broken down the oil into several layers. Mainly three layers are formed. The top layer is called the biodiesel, chemically known as Ester, the next layer will be soap and the bottom layer will be glycerine. Since, biodiesel is lighter than glycerine hence it raises itself to the top of the furnace. Once different layers are formed, the glycerine and soap are drained off.

This mixture of glycerine and soap is a waste product of the above reaction. Hence, before forming biodiesel, this mixture is drained off to remove any additional alcohol, soap or other impurities. The biodiesel which is left behind is first washed. This washing can be accomplished with a bubble-wash, mist-wash or both. Once washing is over, it is dried to remove any additional water. After removing additional water, it is filtered through fuel filters and is then ready for use.

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