Do It Yourself Biodiesel

[Nova]

If anyone is interested in learning how to make your own biodiesel, I just read a good "how-to" book. "Do It Yourself Guide to Biodiesel" by Guy Purcella. It has diagrams for building your own system to convert used vegetable oil (think deep fat fryer) into biodiesel. Reminds me of the old Popular Mechanics magazines my grandfather used to read. Looks more complicated that I'd prefer, but if you are handy; then it may be something to consider. Cost on prebuilt systems run $2500-$6500. But less if you build your own. Cost of producing fuel (assuming the used veg oil is free) are .55-.90/gal.

There is a website as well www.ezbiodiesel.com

I know heating oil & diesel are similar. Does anyone know if this could be used instead of home heating oil?

[MoreThanReady]

Only problem is many fast food places are now starting to charge for their grease, because so many people are starting to ask for it for free.
The local McDonalds used to pay to have their veg oil taken away, now the company has to PAY Them because they had so many people asking for the oil, the owner finally figured out he could make money from it..

How much ? Well, according to my step son that works there (high school job), they get almost as much for selling their used oil as they pay for the 'clean fresh' oil...

Now the owner mostly complains about higher min wage and telling the high school kids, 3 will get laid off in a few months when the state min wage goes up again..

[Adoration]

Dear Nova, I hope that the time is near when we each may have one of these machines in our own garage...the biofuels industry is chomping at the bit to get started! It's just a matter of time, and I hope sooner than later!
Thanks for publishing this info.

[Logicon]

Only problem is many fast food places are now starting to charge for their grease, because so many people are starting to ask for it for free.
The local McDonalds used to pay to have their veg oil taken away, now the company has to PAY Them because they had so many people asking for the oil, the owner finally figured out he could make money from it.. .
This same thing happened with sawdust. Lumber companies used to pay to have it removed until someone discovered a use for it and then they started to charge for it. It is used to make fire-logs. You just can't win.

[dpetty]

Most all the oil companies have gone into partnership with the rendering companies to convert the used animal fat\used cooking products into biodiesel and they are buying up everything they can.

[Nova]

Only problem is many fast food places are now starting to charge for their grease, because so many people are starting to ask for it for free.
The local McDonalds used to pay to have their veg oil taken away, now the company has to PAY Them because they had so many people asking for the oil, the owner finally figured out he could make money from it..

How much ? Well, according to my step son that works there (high school job), they get almost as much for selling their used oil as they pay for the 'clean fresh' oil...

If you have to pay for the used oil, that would pretty much wipe out the cost savings. Back to the drawing board.

[scout]

you also have to pay a road tax on the bio-diesel, otherwise its treated like your are using off-road fuel (kerosene and home heating oil).

[ab28]

I am currently doing research at my college over the summer on biodiesel. If you do not have any knowledge of chemistry, I would not mess with it. You are dealing with sodium hydroxide, a highly caustic base, and methanol, an extremely flammable alcohol. There needs to be several exhaust fans in the area as well. If the biodiesel is not washed properly it can mess up your engine and fuel system. Also, the glycerol byproduct needs to be disposed of properly, it is classified as hazardous waste.

[Nova]

Thanks Ab28. I did think it was more than I wanted to deal with. I gather the glycerine is in part reused & in part sold. The methanol & wastewater is more tricky. Although, I think biomethane will be an up & coming fuel option.

Overall, I think the most promising alternative liquid fuel is from algea. But it is still in the early stages.