1. The Future of Fuel Biodiesel Production

2. What is Biodiesel? Biodiesel is a fuel for conventional Diesel engines made from plant or animal oils that have been chemically altered to alkyl esters. Biodiesel is a fuel for conventional Diesel engines made from plant or animal oils that have been chemically altered to alkyl esters.

3. Biodiesel is a fuel for conventional Diesel engines…. Diesel engines are compression-ignition engines developed by Rudolph Diesel Diesel engines are compression-ignition engines developed by Rudolph Diesel Diesel engines were originally designed to run on peanut oil, not mineral diesel. Diesel engines were originally designed to run on peanut oil, not mineral diesel. Diesels have been made which run on milk powder, coal dust and straight vegetable oil. Diesels have been made which run on milk powder, coal dust and straight vegetable oil.

4. …made from plant or animal oils or fats… Biodiesel can made from a very wide range of ‘feed stocks’. Biodiesel can made from a very wide range of ‘feed stocks’. They can be animal fats and tallows, or vegetable oils. Algae can even be used They can be animal fats and tallows, or vegetable oils. Algae can even be used We make biodiesel from waste vegetable oil from deep-fryers. We make biodiesel from waste vegetable oil from deep-fryers.

5. …that have been chemically transformed into alkyl esters. Normally, straight vegetable oil is too viscous to be used in a modern diesel engine. Normally, straight vegetable oil is too viscous to be used in a modern diesel engine. We chemically transform the oil to make it thinner. This process is called trans- esterification. We chemically transform the oil to make it thinner. This process is called trans- esterification. This means the fuel is now compatible with modern conventional engines. This means the fuel is now compatible with modern conventional engines.

6. Other ways of making the oil less viscous Heat the oil on the way to the engine. This would require small modifications to your engine. Heat the oil on the way to the engine. This would require small modifications to your engine. Mixing the oil with a thinner, such as white spirit. This does produce more toxic chemicals Mixing the oil with a thinner, such as white spirit. This does produce more toxic chemicals Or, simply modify the engine to accept viscous fuels. This costs around £2000 and is sometimes impractical. Or, simply modify the engine to accept viscous fuels. This costs around £2000 and is sometimes impractical.

7. Trans-esterification Triglycerides + Methanol = Methyl Esters + Glycerol Triglycerides + Methanol = Methyl Esters + Glycerol A catalyst is needed for this reaction. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

8. Health and Safety Oil Oil Methanol Methanol Potassium hydroxide Potassium hydroxide Heating Heating Gloves Gloves Goggles Goggles

9. Titration If we were using fresh veg oil, you would need 9g of KOH per litre If we were using fresh veg oil, you would need 9g of KOH per litre Used veg oil has more acids and so needs more KOH Used veg oil has more acids and so needs more KOH To find out how much KOH you need you would need to perform a titration To find out how much KOH you need you would need to perform a titration

10. Titration Add 10ml of isopropyl alcohol to a beaker Add 10ml of isopropyl alcohol to a beaker Add a few drops of indicator and stir Add a few drops of indicator and stir Add 0.5ml of KOH solution to the solution Add 0.5ml of KOH solution to the solution Continue to add the KOH, 0.5mls at a time, until the red colour persists after stirring. The isopropyl alcohol is now pH neutral Continue to add the KOH, 0.5mls at a time, until the red colour persists after stirring. The isopropyl alcohol is now pH neutral

11. Titration Add 1ml of the waste oil to the solution and stir. The red colour will disappear as the oil has made the solution acidic. Add 1ml of the waste oil to the solution and stir. The red colour will disappear as the oil has made the solution acidic. Continue adding KOH, 0.5ml’s at a time, until the red colour persists. Record how much KOH you put into the solution. Continue adding KOH, 0.5ml’s at a time, until the red colour persists. Record how much KOH you put into the solution. The amount of KOH (ml’s) it takes to neutralise 1ml of oil equates to the number of grams of KOH it takes to neutralise a litre The amount of KOH (ml’s) it takes to neutralise 1ml of oil equates to the number of grams of KOH it takes to neutralise a litre

12. How to make biodiesel Mix 100mls of methanol with 4g of KOH and stir Mix 100mls of methanol with 4g of KOH and stir Add this ‘methoxide’ to 500mls oil, heat to around 40C, and stir. Stir for 10 mins. Add this ‘methoxide’ to 500mls oil, heat to around 40C, and stir. Stir for 10 mins. Leave the mixture to settle overnight Leave the mixture to settle overnight Separate the biodiesel from the glycerol Separate the biodiesel from the glycerol