Cooking Oil
The Process Of Creating Biodiesel By Means Of Sodium Hydroxide
There is a fuel that can be derived from cooking oil or vegetable oil. You will just have to combine oil with other chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide, which are fairly ordinary. The new chemical fuel has functions as a diesel engine. In other occasions, it can be combined with other petroleum-based fuels. The outcome is a fuel that is low-priced, safe and renewable.
The truth is that you can actually produce biodiesel from fresh or even used oil. You must have the following items: 1000mL of vegetable oil, 3.5g of caustic soda or sodium hydroxide, and 200mL of methanol. You also need to have the following materials: a blender (if possible with a low speed action), a digital weighing machine, plastic containers (one for methanol, another for vegetable oil, and a wide-mouthed mixing glass container), protective gloves, eye shield (goggles or protective eyeglasses), and apron. Note that among the substances, caustic soda is extremely dangerous to process so employ necessary precautions. Likewise use cautiousness when handling methanol.
Make certain that the maximum temperature is 70 ºF or higher in producing biodiesel because the speed of chemical response relies on the temperature. Thus, in a low ambient temperature, count on a gradual reaction process.
The procedure starts with spilling out of the methanol into the blender that is positioned at the minimal speed. Gradually add the caustic soda until it totally melts in the solution. This procedure produces a substance called sodium methoxide. When caustic soda has totally dissolved, combine the one-liter vegetable oil. The slow mixing action should continue until about half an hour during which time the mixture must be even. Pour out the solution into a wide-mouthed glass holder. Notice that the mixture starts to divide into several layers of fluids. The layer at the bottom is glycerine. Above that is biodiesel. Set this aside for a few more hours until the sheets break up completely. This time you can simply pour out biodiesel. You can also utilize a pump to suction the topmost fluid out of the solution.
Note that glycerine is not a waste product but an added valuable derivative of the reaction. It has practical use in other industries.
Note also that any unmodified engine operating on diesel may utilize pure biodiesel or a combination of petroleum diesel and biodiesel. It may be vital to use the solution while driving in cold climate especially if air temperatures drop below 55 ºF. Remember that pure biodiesel can become thick and viscous when exposed to low temperatures. Thus, you must choose to raise the amounts of petroleum diesel while the temperatures decrease.
In accumulating the chemicals for your biodiesel making, make sure to keep them away from food items and especially make sure to stack them properly away from beverages. Once more, among the most dangerous elements is sodium hydroxide so take the required safety measures in storage and handling.
