Making Bio-diesel Part 2 - Processing the waste oil into Biodiesel!

[@mrhorn185]

Couple of things that were left out. Methanol has a boiling point of 148.5°f , making the methoxide catalyst by adding sodium hydroxide (lye) to methanol is an exothermic reaction (gives off heat) and the amount of heat could push the hot oil/catalyst mixture above the boiling point of any unreacted methanol which is a serious safety hazard. Error on the side of caution here people hearing the oil to 130° vs 140-145° will have the same reaction and reduce the risk considerably. Thanks for the video keep up the good work

[@gregs_garage]

Nobody should make this. This is a demonstration only. Catalyst was KOH not naoh Exothermic heating is minimal in my experience. The oil is cooling off as fast as the reaction creates heat. But agree you don’t want to push the boiling point of methanol. Lower is safer.

[@THEACERASPIREMAN]

I love your video series on making biodiesel. Are you going to show the final step of washing the biodiesel at some point? Looks very interesting and your setup is so practical but also DIY friendly. LOVE IT

[@gregs_garage]

thanks i do have the final video coming yes

[@hunkenpunken]

@@gregs_garage When? How dangerous is it to have a sealed first tank like you have? Im building right now for a 200 liter (53gallon) batches but im thinking of cutting a bigger vent hole in the top of the first tank. What do you think?

[@the_world_is_a_ghetto]

Hey brother, blessings be upon you and your family!! thanks for taking time out of your life to enlighten others. I really learned something new today. I thank you and my family thanks you.

[@gregs_garage]

thanks. don't make biodiesel though. This is just a demo.

[@jentwickler]

Lovely setup. I think a easy extendsion would be a temerature triggered switch or thermostat switch for socket to prevent overheating.

[@gregs_garage]

Water heaters have a thermostat. Mine set to 140F

[@EnglehartProductions]

Awesome! Your cold start videos are the best😊

[@gregs_garage]

More coming if / when it gets cold here

[@the_world_is_a_ghetto]

Hello, I love your ideas and you set up great simple and clean. how much KOH did you add to the methanol please and thanks

[@gregs_garage]

approx 1100 grams per 20 litres methanol per 100 litres veg oil. It depends on the oil quality.

[@Agouti]

A correction, you dont have to hear the oil - it works fine when cold, just takes longer. Industrial plants to it at 140F because it takes 20 minutes instead of 8 hours or more at 70F.

[@gregs_garage]

Maybe I'll try doing it cold one day.

[@JRLopy]

How to do the final cleaning?

[@Hellsong89]

What do you do with the glycerin? Is there practical uses for it and what kind of chemical is that? As in is it corrosive, dangerous to environment, flammable, toxic etc? Could it be just burned in say waste oil heater or how its dealed with? Also maybe take the thick stuff out and when it starts to lean, collect that to separate large and tall container, let it settle and pump out the bio diesel that is left to improve upon efficiency of this process

[@gregs_garage]

I know of some - You can convert it into liquid or bar soap. Or Apply to gravel road as dust suppression. Blend in animal feed. Burn. Yes you have the right idea about leaning. I catch in a 1-gal container and once the biodiesel floats to the top I dump it back in the processor

[@hunkenpunken]

Weres the washing with water video?

[@gregs_garage]

There isn’t one

[@deondavids8111]

Please info please. Per 100L oil to 20L ethanol to how much KOH. Please

[@gregs_garage]

It depends on the quality of the oil, and also the type of KOH. I have low-acid oil, and I use about 1100g of KOH 93%

[@AmericanRustWorker3369]

Question, why say you don’t want to introduce methanol into the hot tank for the mixture then show the temp is still hot, and mix it in anyways? I’m seriously confused

[@gregs_garage]

I'm saying you don't want to introduce methanol with the heating element ON. The element must be off. The temp is still 135-140F but the element is OFF. I don't want methanol touching a HOT element.

[@claytonmoechnig6067]

I think this setup could be improved, first I’d have a conical bottom reaction tank which could improve the glycerin removal stage, also while heating it would be good to have something slowly stirring the oil to ensure even heating and possibly speed up the heating process in general. These are my just my personal theories so I’m not sure they would improve or not. Quite a good setup and you’ve certainly got good ideas on how to do some things like he catalyst introduction method is awesome.

[@gregs_garage]

thanks. Yes improvement is always possible. Hot water heaters are more convenient than rigging up a conical bottom tank. I mix the heating oil periodically by turning on the switch for a minute.

[@thuannguyen-lg8qn]

how much for your system, i want bigger

[@John-ee5dh]

What do you do with the glycerine

[@gregs_garage]

Return to waste disposal. I made soap once - make 20 litres which is a lifetime supply. I think you can just trash it too. Biodegradable? I’ve heard it’s good for dust control on gravel roads

[@jorgeiv804]

can I ask how much grams or kilograms of potassium hydroxide (KOH) you mixed into the 20 liters of methanol? and what are the dangers while doing the process? :)

[@gregs_garage]

i do 1100 grams based on the quality of oil i have. you could get burned or there are inhalation risks. I don't recommend anyone do it.

[@hunkenpunken]

Is there ANY DANGER of having the oil/methanol mix in a closed container like your waterheater? I mean there will be gases... Should I open a a hole in the top for venting the waterboiler?

[@gregs_garage]

you should not do this at all. This is a demo video only. My demo machine has a pressure relief valve in the top and also a valve that I always keep open. So any pressure can leave the tank.

[@markross728]

We in the UK have found you can make bio at 20°C. Also I got down to using 13% meth on 200lt batches. I would also look at making a venturi, adding methanol directly into the pump isn't ideal.

[@1966cambo]

It’s not just methanol going through the pump, it’s oil and catalyst and it is metered through the valve. I have never made bio but want to for sure.

[@markross728]

@@1966cambo methanol is extremely flammable, using a venturi is far safer. I've made bio for 12 years.

[@ryanthiessen4562]

Mark good to know it works with 13%. I was calculating costs and at 20% it doesn't seem it's worth the effort at the price of methanol.

[@deondavids8111]

Please explain 200L on 13% meth and how much KOH

[@skippyskipala]

What are good websites or sources for the methanol and KOH? As far as affordable options. Thanks!

[@gregs_garage]

You'll likely have to set up an account with a local chemical supplier. They may not sell retail given the nature of the product and laws regarding distribution.

[@oskarbastin367]

How much potassiumhydroxid did you use?

[@gregs_garage]

about 1100 grams based on the fairly high-quality oil I get (100 litres)

[@siminicmatei2153]

Great videos! Love them, so if you oil is lower quality (darker in color i suppose) how do you upscale from 1100 grams? Thanks

[@dirtyrotter4057]

All that set up and no funnel??

[@DavidJNowak]

But it takes energy (gas or electrical) to heat the oil. What is the point of doing this?

[@gregs_garage]

It takes about 50 cents of electricity to heat the oil. Not relevant

[@WAKAAN_Roamer]

Can you make a video for a diagram on how you layed the piping?

[@gregs_garage]

Maybe... although if you want to do a project like this, you really need to have a bit of creativity...

[@thomgt4]

Cool setup mate! The biggest issue with evaporating methanol is that it'd make you blind before it can reach combustible levels

[@gregs_garage]

Always work in ventilated area. I keep the big garage door open.

[@1966cambo]

Yup, I would add , wear a full face respirator with the proper filters.

[@kb5335]

i dont get why you dont explain the catalyst amounts better? it sounds like a liability thing but your well past that with the methyl alcohol

[@gregs_garage]

Well past what?

[@kb5335]

@@gregs_garage well past the line for the liability you think you may have. i honsetly think that its more dangerous to not share all the quantities. but thats just my opinion. good video still! you should try making fuel out of used motor oil. i just looked it up last night and its basically filtering the heckout of it and adding a percentage of solvent. that being diesel, gas, etc. interesting!

[@gregs_garage]

@@kb5335 see my video of why nobody should make biodiesel. I am demonstrating some experiments I have done with Biodiesel but do not suggest or recommend anyone try this at home. I suggest the opposite.

[@kb5335]

@@gregs_garage that was actually the first one i watched. good videos! i have a 2015 vw passat tdi, and a 2007 dodge 2500 mega cab with the 6.7 cummins in it. so with the prices of fuel im looking at alternatives to make my own. and honestly being in an agricultural area im thinking of teaming up with one of the farms i know and making it in large batches to sell privately to the local farms. it would make good money

[@bryansmith9255]

What do you find is the most cost efficient source of methanol?

[@gregs_garage]

a chemical company in a larger city can sell you 55-gallon barrels. Sometimes you need a company name. I don't know about the USA - you can probably buy it at Wal-Mart

[@RippedWookie]

@@gregs_garage wal-mart 🤣

[@nathanrichart7226]

Hello greg, where do you get the used oil sir? You have my attention. Looks well put together compared to some i have seen. Im going to build one just haven't decided the best version yet. This one is great

[@gregs_garage]

You can get used oil from a local restaurant like a pub. Just don't be a pain in the ass

[@SheriffofYouTube]

i'm gonna try thin on the next lockdown2022 .. this is better than science class in 1989

[@zander1323]

WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A FUNNEL FOR THE KOH? 😖

[@gregs_garage]

i got a home made one

[@DavTen10]

Okay, you have all that equipment and done all the math. You’ve built an entire system but you don’t have a funnel to add the NOH to the methanol?

[@gregs_garage]

I had one I lost it. Maybe I'll get a new one for Christmas

[@unknownmanufacturer2669]

Love it but it's inefficient better to just mix 50/50 oil and diesel of course you should still filter out the oil but this way there's no need for methanol as well as theres no longer waste products and it actually burns cleaner in your engines so it will clog up less than this method it works but your still just wasting time energy and money this way on top of mostly blowing up your house also 45% of your neighbors

[@thedavesofourlives1]

Huh? I like the video but can't hear what you're saying

[@1966cambo]

Man, I would be wearing a much better mask than that buddy, I believe the recommended one is for organic but I might be wrong. I just know this stuff is not good for your lungs!!!

[@gregs_garage]

thanks. yeah I don't know. I stay away from the fumes.