How To Make Pop Bottle Biodiesel

Making biodiesel fuel is easier than you think, using items available at most supermarkets. See how, and learn some interesting facts about diesel power!

Step 1:
The history of biodiesel:
In 1898 Rudolf Diesel was granted a US patent for his invention of the diesel engine. But did you know his original intention was for his engine to run of biodiesel? He even marketed his invention to American farmers as a way for them to grow their own fuel.
Step 2:
Ingredients of biodiesel:
The process of making biodiesel is quite easy. So easy that you can make biodiesel fuel using inexpensive materials you can buy at the grocery store.
The three ingredients you will need are methanol which is used and a common product for removing water product from your fuel line, sodium hydroxide commonly known as lye, and any type of vegetable oil. You will want to work outdoor with an open space with adequate ventilation. And take proper precautions such as wearing gloves and protective eyewear.And of course, don’t sniff a breath of fumes. In other words, use common sense in following and follow the same precautions that are listed on the labels.
Step 3:
Method for creating biodiesel:
First, we use a glass container like this one that I pre-measured and add 1 cup or 250 milliters of methanol then, add 1/2 teaspoon of lye using airtight lid and swirl or stir it until the lye is completely dissolved.Next, use 4 cups of new vegetable oil; heat the oil to up to 60 degrees centigrade or 140 degrees Fahrenheit.Use the funnel to pour the heated oil into a 2-liter plastic bottle. Then, add the methanol-lye mixture. Tightly close the lid and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
Step 4:
How it works:
Through a process called ‘transesterification’, you will see a dark layer of glycerin forming beneath a lighter layer. Biodiesel fuel is the trans fatty acids in the oil or strip of 1-molecule of glycerin which was replaced by 3 molecules of alcohol.Over the next couple of days, you will see your biodiesel become clearer as all the glycerin settles. Biodiesel fuel will work in any modern diesel engine without any modification. It has substantially reduced carbon emissions and will better lubricate and extend the life of engines over petro-based diesel fuel.
Step 5:
Advantages of biodiesel:
Biodiesel can be made just as easily from used oil. And with over 30 million gallons of waste oil being generated by fast food restaurants, it only makes sense that we put this to good use. There are a growing number of individuals around the world that do just that and run their vehicles off of nothing but biodiesel fuel.
Step 6:
Fulfilling a dream.
Rudolf Diesel was a visionary, and it is good to see his dream finally being realized. He stated, “The use of vegetable oils for engine fuel may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in the course of time as important as petroleum” pretty amazing words spoken almost a century ago.