Chapter 18 - Biodiesel Fuel

Up until now, all of our explorations into Renewable Energy have been associated with the production, storage, distribution and consumption of electricity. Over the course of the last month, I have been researching avenues of home production of diesel motor fuel from vegetable oil. This fuel, which is fairly easy to make using some commonly available chemicals using a variety of common utensils, is known as Biodiesel.

Biodiesel fuel has the potential to revolutionize the motor fuel industry. For the first time, motor fuel can be manufactured from domestically produced materials, freeing dependence from foreign oil producers, and eliminating environmentally destructive drilling, super tanker transport ships, and other expensive and unsustainable practices. In addition, Biodiesel reduces pollution emissions from diesel engines up to 90%, is cleaner burning, reduces required engine maintenance, has better lubricative properties, and best of all, the exhaust smells like french-fried potatoes. Biodiesel is easily made from waste vegetable oil, a product of fast-food and restaurant fryers which is frequently considered a disposal problem. Many individuals are able to obtain the used oil free of charge from these establishments. Imagine being able to get free motor fuel from old chip pan oil!

Properly made Biodiesel can be used for fuel in any diesel engine without modifications of any kind. It can also be used to fuel domestic space heaters and furnaces at a substantial savings in expense. Blends of Biodiesel and regular petroleum diesel fuels are also possible. Blends of as little as 1-2% Biodiesel are shown to improve engine life and cleanliness, and concentrations of 20% Biodiesel have demonstrated the ability to reduce tailpipe emissions and smoke as much as 60%.

A significant reduction in the production of global carbon dioxide is possible if petroleum diesel fuel was largely replaced by the use of Biodiesel, which produces no net gain in CO². The carbon molecules present in Biodiesel once existed as free CO² in the atmosphere before being locked up in the growing plant's cells. Burning the esters contained in Biodiesel releases these carbon molecules back to the atmosphere where they originated. Petroleum based fuels, on the other hand, release carbon that has been trapped out of circulation for millions of years. Such additional carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere is generally recognized to be the cause of global warming.

Any form of fatty oils from vegetable or animal sources can be converted into useable fuel. These oils contain esters, which are the part that is valuable as fuel, and glycerin, which is a waste product in the fuel production, but a potentially valuable substance when used in the production of soaps, lotions, skin oils, and more. The process of separating these elements from the oil is called a reaction, and afterwards, the esters (fuel) and glycerin form stratified layers in the reaction vessel, and are simply drained off to their respective storage containers. If not utilized as a product in it's own right, the glycerin can simply be composted. Production of Biodiesel produces no pollutants. In fact Biodiesel itself is non-toxic and biodegradable. It can be handled and stored exactly like petroleum fuels.

Although the process of converting vegetable oil to fuel is not difficult, I would encourage anyone who is interested to study the process thoroughly, and understand what safety precautions are necessary before attempting to use the chemicals involved.

Simply described, a measured volume of vegetable oil is mixed with a solution of methanol and household lye (sodium hydroxide). This mixture is then heated, stirred for an interval, and then allowed to settle. Further adjustments to the pH of the fuel product, and "washing" to remove free fatty acids and excess methanol are usually required, and are also not difficult to accomplish. The product of this process usually requires no further finishing and is useable as fuel immediately.

Many individuals world-wide are producing all of their motor fuel by this process, and there is a fledgling industry of organized Biodiesel producers who see this fuel as a valuable income producing venture for the future.

While mucking about with vats of hot oil while traveling may not seem to be the best form of recreation, consider the savings in fuel expenses, as well as the possibility of becoming a traveling educational institution. This may be a worthwhile craft to hone for traveling road shows as well! Make enough fuel for yourself, then sell some for spending cash!!! (Be sure to watch out for the Taxman, remember that road fuels are usually heavily taxed).