Make Your Own Biodiesel Fuel

As noted in our article, “Biodiesel Benefits, Fueling the Green Revolution,” biodiesel is rapidly becoming a key alternative fuel. Refineries that make biodiesel are popping up all over the country. “The growth of the biodiesel industry is almost staggering,” observes NBB Chief Executive Joe Jobe. “We’re always hearing about how no new petroleum refineries have been built in the United States in 30 years. This is where biodiesel can make a difference. Every plant that goes up is adding fuel refining capacity to our nation’s energy capabilities.”


That’s all fine and good, but here’s the rub: commercially produced biodiesel costs as much or more as conventional, petroleum-based diesel. Granted, biodiesel has many advantages over regular diesel, as highlighted in the “Biodiesel Benefits” article, but what if in addition to that, it also cost less?


Well, actually it can. Several companies make machines that enable you to produce biodiesel in your own garage or workshop on a small scale, about 40 to 100 gallons per day, for as little as 70 cents per gallon. A system typically consists of a couple of plastic tanks with pumps, hoses, valves and filters, along with a weight scale and testing equipment.

The Process
To produce diesel, you first have to collect some waste vegetable oil (usually available free) and filter it of any debris. Then its quality has to be evaluated by “titration,” a simple chemical test that determines the amount of lye and methanol required to convert the vegetable oil to biodiesel. (The quantity of chemicals varies depending on the quality of the feedstock oil. If you add more than the required amount of lye, your mixing tank could end up filled with gel-type soap. If you use too little lye, only part of the cooking oil will convert into biodiesel, with a large layer of glycerin settling to the bottom of the mixing tank.)


Once that’s been determined, these two chemicals are carefully mixed together in a sealed container. (The resulting mixture, called sodium methoxide, is caustic, and requires safety precautions such as protective goggles and gloves.)