As users of biodiesel know vegetable oil reacts like diesel fuel in a diesel engine.Like diesel fuel, biodiesel ignites when compressed as in a piston compressing the liquid to the top of a engine therefore expanding air pushes the piston in the cylinder back down creating motion.

The one reason you must process the waste vegetable in biodiesel is if you put it straight into the engine it would congeal and therefore block your injectors.

The no-1 thing you must do is remove the fatty acids from the WVO (wastevegetable oil) there are a number of good biodiesel recipes available, here is an over view of what you need to create your own biodiesel.

OVERVIEW

Biodiesel is made through a process called transesterification. This process takes an organic oil, like vegetable oil or animal fat, and adds an alcohol plus a catalyst. The addition of these items to the oil causes a chemical reaction that breaks down the oil and allows the glycerin molecules to be substituted with alcohol molecules. Three layers will emerge - the biodiesel, soap, and glycerin. The glycerin and soap are then removed, and the biodiesel is then washed through a mist or bubble wash to remove any impurities. Sometimes both types of washes are used. Finally, the biodiesel is then dried and run through fuel filters to get it ready for use.

Supplies needed

1 - 2L Soda Bottle

1 - measuring cup to measure 250 mL of methanol

1 - gem scale to measure 4g NaOH (you can also use a metric or imperial

teaspoon measure)

1 - 1 pt. glass container to mix methanol and NaOH in to make the methoxide.

1 - Funnel

1 - 1 L bottle of vegetable oil (new)

4g NaOH

250 mL of Methanol

Please ensure that safety masks and a fire extinguisher are handy as the above chemicals are highly flammable.

For more information on how to make biodiese click here