Biofuel can be extracted from cooking oil.
Many kinds of organic matter can be converted to some form of usable fuel. Corn, sugar beets, wood and even human waste can be used to make biofuels. The process for converting these materials to usable fuel is often very involved and requires a great deal of technology; however, used vegetable oil from deep fryers can be converted relatively easily. Restaurant owners who would otherwise discard their waste vegetable oil (WVO) can be a great source of useable biomass. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Let the oil sit undisturbed until all visible impurities settle to the bottom. Filter oil by slowly pouring it from one jug to the other through the filter to remove excess food particles.
2. Measure 5.3 g of lye into a plastic bag on the scale, being sure to factor in the weight of the bag. Seal the bag as quickly as possible; if the lye is exposed to air for long it absorbs moisture, making it less effective.
3. Pour 200 ml methanol into the plastic container using a funnel. Use the other funnel to pour the lye into the same plastic container. Screw the cap on tightly to minimize the lye's exposure to open air. After both methanol and lye are sealed inside the plastic container, shake and swirl the contents until the lye is completely dissolved in the methanol. Do not be alarmed when the container becomes warm to the touch; the lye and the methanol are becoming sodium methoxide, and part of this process is the generation of heat.
4. Heat the filtered oil to 130 degrees F and carefully pour it into a blender. Add the contents of the plastic container to the oil in the blender. Fasten the blender's top and mix on low for 20 to 30 minutes.
5. Pour contents of the blender into a 2-liter bottle and screw the cap on tightly. Allow the mixture settle for 24 hours or more; two layers should become visible inside the bottle. Pour the top layer into the second 2-liter bottle, leaving the bottom layer behind. Stop pouring while a little bit of the top layer is still remaining in the first bottle; the bottom layer is glycerine and will ruin your batch if not separated.
6. Wash your biodiesel fuel by combining it with half a liter of fresh water in the 2-liter bottle. Mix them together and let them settle. After they have settled, you should once again see two distinct layers form. Poke a small hole in the bottom of the bottle and allow water to drain out. Cover the hole with duct tape and repeat the process three more times until the biofuel is translucent.
7. Use the third bottle to store your fuel. Allow all water to evaporate out. The fuel will be clear but not colorless when it is "dry," which may take several days.
Tags: plastic container, 2-liter bottle, bottom layer, into plastic, pour into, usable fuel