Bio-dieselOur Renewable Energy

Considering the current state of the economy with ever climbing fuel prices, many people are looking for what some have found, that is a bit of fanatical relive at the filling station. With current gasoline prices set at $3.69 per gallon, and current diesel fuel prices set at $3.94 per gallon, neither of these fueling options are very appealing financially. The source of our much needed fuel is also to be considered. The fact that foreign oil is the reason there is an energy crisis in the first place. Refining oil into bio-diesel is moving in the right direction in order to move from the use of foreign oil. the cost a to produce 1 gallon of bio-diesel in home is a mere $2.50, and the main ingredient of this mix is a renewable resource.

Research on Conversion of Vegetable Oil into Diesel Fuel:

Prepared For: Ms. Elisabeth Owen, Technical Communications InstructorPrepared by: Regina Sanchez, Technical Science Student

August 03, 2011

Bio-dieselOur Renewable Energy

Considering the current state of the economy with ever climbing fuel prices, many people are looking for what some have found, that is a bit of fanatical relive at the filling station. With current gasoline prices set at $3.69 per gallon, and current diesel fuel prices set at $3.94 per gallon, neither of these fueling options are very appealing financially. The source of our much needed fuel is also to be considered. The fact that foreign oil is the reason there is an energy crisis in the first place. Refining oil into bio-diesel is moving in the right direction in order to move from the use of foreign oil. the cost a to produce 1 gallon of bio-diesel in home is a mere $2.50, and the main ingredient of this mix is a renewable resource.

Bio-diesel is a clean burning alternative fuel. Bio-diesel is produced from domestic renewable recourses such as vegetable oil. Bio-diesel can also be produced from a variety of other natural oils. Bio-diesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a bio-diesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition diesel application engine with little or no modifications. Bio-diesel is fuel economic. simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially pollutant free.

Making Bio-diesel In HomeHere is physical process of making a batch of bio-diesel from vegetable in

home. This process costs an average of $2.50 per gal for production

Supplies Needed For Making 1 Liter of Bio-Diesel Fuel

• 1-liter of new vegetable oil • 200 ml of Methyl alcohol also known as methanol (yellow bottle of HEET). • 7.5 grams of potassium hydroxide, known as KOH which dissolves at faster rate than lye). or 5.5 grams of lye, known as sodium hydroxide or NaOH. You may be able to purchase sodium hydroxide at a store as it is used as a drain cleaner. Check the bottle of drain cleaner to ensure it is 7100% NaOH. You can purchase such chemical at the hardware store, your local chemical supplier, or online.• 200 ml chemical measure such as a graduated cylinder • 1-liter measure such as a large liquid measuring cup • Funnel for chemical use • Pan, able to store 1 liter • Heating element such as a stove • Thermometer • Glass jar with a tight fitting lid for mixing chemical able to hold more than 200 ml.• 2 liter plastic bottle • Scale accurate to 0.1 gram. • Chemical gloves • Safety goggles

ProcedureUsing this 1-liter biodiesel recipe is a great way to become familiar with the process of making biodiesel". It will be inexpensive, with the supplies and chemicals needed easy to find. New oil is used in this recipe therefore; catalyst will not need to be calculated.

First 1 liter of oil is added to the pan.The oil is then heated in the pan heating

200 ml of methanol is measured using a graduated cylinder then add it to the mixing jar.

7.5 grams of potash or 5.5 grams of lye. measure the catalyst.

Add the catalyst to the jar of methanol. The lid on the jar thoroughly then the methanol and catalyst are mixed by swirling until all the catalyst is dissolved.

Bring the jar content to a 130°F boil.

The heated oil is then poured through the funnel into the 1 liter bottle.

The 1 liter bottle is capped after the substances are added.The bottle is shaken for a minimum of 5 minutes.

The mixture is then left to sit upside down for 24-48 hours.

The glycerin will settle in a layer on the bottom, the biodiesel on the top

After 24- 48 hours the bottle is then gently squeezed the bottle, while the lid is slowly lessened. This squeezing will allow the glycerin to drain.

The Remaining Layer at the top is Bio-diesel.The bio-diesel created in this p process is low quality bio-diesel and will need to be washed to get the remaining glycerol and other impurities out.

I recommend the use of bio diesel in place of conventional diesel fuel because of its fuel economic qualities, production cost, and lower pollution levels. Vegetable oil that has been converted into bio-diesel may be a step in the

right direction in our ongoing energy crisis.