Biodiesel

1
Biodiesel
What is Biodiesel? Biodiesel is an
environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil
fuels. It can power cars, trucks, buses,
tractors, boats, and anything else that uses a
diesel engine.
How is it made? Biodiesel is made through a
chemical process called transesterification
whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or
vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two
products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for
biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct
usually sold to be used in soaps and other
products).

• What is the biodiesel process?
• Dissolve 3.5 grams of lye (catalyst) into 200 mL
  of methanol, forming sodium methoxide.
• Add the sodium methoxide to 1 L of new oil. Stir
  vigorously for about 20 minutes.
• Let settle overnight, and you have biodiesel and
  glycerol!

Why Biodiesel? Because of our increasing
dependence on fossil fuels and the depletion of
the ozone layer, biodiesel makes a good
alternative because it has relatively low
emissions and comes from renewable sources which
can be found right here in Oregon, such as
canola, sunflower, peanut, sesame, and corn oil.
Another great thing is that we can even make it
from cooking waste oil!
Want more information? http//www.biodiesel.org/ h
ttp//biodiesel.oregonstate.edu/ From the Fryer
to the Fuel Tank The Complete Guide to Using
Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel, by Joshua
Tickell