Due to the constant increase in the price of oil and global warming, the search for renewable energy sources has begun, one of which is the use of biofuels (or agrofuels), including biodiesel.
This fuel offers multiple advantages when compared to other biofuels (ethanol for example), since anyone can make it at home with the proper utensils. In addition, waste material can be used for its manufacture (like the oil used in restaurants or at home).
Biodiesel is a new type of diesel, alternative, renewable, clean, made of triglycerides. For its manufacture you can use any type of vegetable oil either virgin or recycled. It can also be obtained from oilseeds such as rapeseed, sunflower, or even palm. In some cases, it is even possible to obtain it from animal fats, although it is much more expensive. But how is biodiesel manufactured?
Pour 200ml of methanol into a glass container where you can measure the amounts, then add ¼ tablespoon of soda (which would be sodium hydroxide), stirring until the soda dissolves.
While you have to pour 1 liter of oil that should be heated to 48ºC. The mixture of methanol and sodium hydroxide is then added very slowly, and it is stirred with a spoon or a whisk (which can not be used again for cooking afterwards).
Then the transesterification process begins, where the mixture must be left to rest for 40 minutes. You will see how the mixture becomes more liquid, and a dark layer will be noticed (by glycerin). The mixture should then be poured into a dry container (possibly a glass bottle), and left to rest for 2 days.
Later, it will be ready to be used in your car in case your engine is able to work with that type of fuel. It can also be mixed with diesel, but it would be the choice of each one.
So, you must have a lot of caution, since you will be working with very strong chemical components. Therefore it is recommended that you have knowledge in areas of engineering, mechanics, or chemistry. Among other recommendations, you should use homemade things like apron, gloves, glasses and mask.
Do not let any type of chemical component on your skin, such as sodium hydrogen or metalon. When making the homemade biodiesel, we recommend doing it somewhere with a lot of ventilation since it will be working with components that will throw away toxic vapors.
Biodiesel is a non-toxic fuel that is manufactured with different types of oils and fats along with a few other chemical components. It’s a type of economic and renewable fuel, but also can be mixed with diesel or oil for the use of your car. Here are some things you should know about Biodiesel before using it:
It’s said to have good yield because it generates good lubricity to the engine, so it protects it and makes it work for longer time. It also makes the starting of the car more docile, so the engine runs more quietly and more smoothly.
This is one of the advantages of the use of Biodiesel, since it helps global warming and the conservation of the planet. In addition to reducing energy dependence. The purpose of the use of this fuel is to promote energy security and directly support the production of proteins and agriculture.
Also, decreases the emission of the chemical component CO₂ (carbon dioxide) because it does not contain sulfur, and is a biodegradable product and is not toxic.
Generates Independence In Production
This is very important, since each country could manufacture its own fuel and thus not depend on oil imports that are so costly today. It would also encourage the creation of cooperatives or companies that want to manufacture biodiesel, depending on the policies that are handled in each state, but could be granted tax credits for those who want to set up such cooperatives.
Biodiesel Can Be Made By Yourself
It’s something that certain people do, besides that you can get rid of the oil with which you cook. For this, you should have at hand cooking oil, methanol (which is methyl alcohol), soda or bleach (which will work as sodium hydroxide), isopropyl alcohol, distilled water, phenolphthalein solution, vinegar and water. Then everything is done by a process called transesterification.
In different countries, the use of biodiesel as a fuel has been increasingly marketed, such as Argentina, US, Canada, United Kingdom among others. In the case of the US, they have more than 100 biodiesel production factories, which they distribute to certain states of the country.
Biodiesel is considered a good replacement for diesel made from petroleum for use in compression ignition engines, since it doesn’t emits as many harmful gases nor sulfur when it’s burned. Biodiesel is also considered safer than its counterpart of fossil origin because it is non-toxic and less flammable.
The most important benefit of this fuel is its non-polluting effect that allows the conventional use of vehicles and machinery without the unpleasant consequence of the greenhouse effect caused by the gases emitted in the combustion of diesel oil. Therefore, if it’s in your plans to use it, we recommend doing it, as you will also be contributing to the environment and the renewable energy industry.
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats, with soybeans, rapeseed, and sunflower, the most used raw materials worldwide for this end.
The properties of biodiesel are very similar to those of gasoil of origin fossil, in terms of density, number of cetanes, efficiency, and yield of the gasoleros (diesel) engines, highlighting that biodiesel presents a point of superior inflammation. Here are some things you should know about Biodiesel before using it:
It Doesn’t Contain Oil
Biodiesel does not contain oil, but it can be mixed at any level with normal diesel to make different mixes, usually called B20 or B5. Biodiesel has also been shown to improve vehicle performance with more lubricity and reduced emissions.
Is Biodiesel Safer Than Regular Diesel?
Scientific research confirms that the emission of biodiesel is less harmful to human health than diesel oil. Biodiesel emissions have decreased the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrated compounds of PAH that have been identified as compounds that can potentially cause cancer.
The results of the test indicate that PAH compounds were reduced by 75 to 85 percent, with the exception of benzo (a) anthracene, which was reduced by 50 percent.
It Can Be Used On Any Diesel Engine
Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine, generally without the need to modify the engine. Its performance is comparable to diesel, with similar content of BTU and a higher cetane while offering excellent lubricity and lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel.
Beware Of Biodiesel
Biodiesel has a solvent effect that can release accumulated deposits in the walls of the tank or in the pipes from previous diesel fuel and precautions must be taken the first time that the passage to biodiesel is made.
The release of deposits can impede the filters initially and precautions must be taken to prevent these deposits from reaching the engine’s fuel filters.
Is Vegetable Oil Usable As Fuel?
Virgin vegetable oil can be obtained from many sources, such as soybeans, sunflower seeds, palm oil or rapeseed, and even some types of algae. Vegetable oil recycled from local restaurants and others from other sources are also a useful reserve of renewable fuel for diesel engines.
It Can Work With Old Motors
Yes, but should replace the fuel system gums, since biodiesel can have a little methanol from the production process that uses metal oxide during. Methanol will eventually destroy rubber pipes and seals, making older engines without synthetic seals made of products like Viton.
We know the use of this type of fuel is beneficial because of the potential contribution of renewable energy sources and technologies. So, the use of this type of fuel should be promoted and massive investments made in order to continue using it as the main fuel, in order to start up training mechanisms in the energy sector.