World's most expensive biodiesel...

[isuzurover]

$13.70 /L :eek:

Just made some biodiesel (for work) using pure reagents from lab suppliers...

Most of the above cost was methanol, the canola oil worked out to $2.50 /L. Lucky I wasn't paying for it!!!

The above price also does not include labour for 2 people for about 2 hrs either.

[Blknight.aus]

wait till you make a batch out of organic extra virgin olive oil.....

I'll just say that alcohol, a dare and the contents of someones pantry, laundry, workshop and garden shed were involved along with the phrases "bet you can't", "you wouldnt dare"..


Somebodies SWMBO was not happy...

[rick130]

So I take it you aren't going into commercial production with this highly refined product :D

[isuzurover]

So I take it you aren't going into commercial production with this highly refined product :D

:D... You think this might be the next craze after V-Power diesel???

I doubt a 4BD1 would notice the difference over run of the mill BD. (However I will be testing that tomorrow).

Given the time involved, and the need to dispose of ~20L of oily, watery, glycerolly, soap for every 20L of fuel produced, I am very much sold on the idea of burning straight Canola (instead) if the fuel price ever gets to $2.50/L.

[superquag]

:D... .........Given the time involved, and the need to dispose of ~20L of oily, watery, glycerolly, soap for every 20L of fuel produced, I am very much sold on the idea of burning straight Canola (instead) if the fuel price ever gets to $2.50/L.

How on earth did you get around the SAME amount of gunge as "biodiesel" ??? - I doubt you ended up with fatty-acid methyl - ester, a.k.a. biodiesel.

Where or what did you use for feed-stock ? Sounds like fish&chip oil that passed its use-by date some years ago.....

Like to know more, such as what the oil titrated at, how many grams/litre of catalyst you used, and what % methanol.

The left-overs soapy gunge is best mixed with lots of HOT water, and slowly fed down your dunny and drains... Cleans them up a treat! - Not really the best for septic systems if there is any 'oily' component to it.

James,
--- who used to make the stuff many moons ago...

[superquag]

wait till you make a batch out of organic extra virgin olive oil.....
....

Somebodies SWMBO was not happy...

The House-hold Manageress is the most dangerous and volatile part of the mix...

[isuzurover]

How on earth did you get around the SAME amount of gunge as "biodiesel" ??? - I doubt you ended up with fatty-acid methyl - ester, a.k.a. biodiesel.

Where or what did you use for feed-stock ? Sounds like fish&chip oil that passed its use-by date some years ago.....

Like to know more, such as what the oil titrated at, how many grams/litre of catalyst you used, and what % methanol.

The left-overs soapy gunge is best mixed with lots of HOT water, and slowly fed down your dunny and drains... Cleans them up a treat! - Not really the best for septic systems if there is any 'oily' component to it.

James,
--- who used to make the stuff many moons ago...

lol - don't worry James. As I said in my PM, PhD qualified chemists (not me, I am an engineer) were involved (as my minions :twisted:). Feedstocks were virgin (dry) canola, 99.98% Methanol and 98% KOH. Glycerine was minimal, however we wanted to ensure it was washed MUCH better than the usual crud.

Definitely not a backyard operation. This is as good as biodiesel gets...

As for the saponified glycerol-water mixture, it would be a waste to tip it down the drains at work, I was planning to put it on the garden as fertiliser.

[jakeslouw]

That's why most people start with free used veg oil from the local chippy.

But I agree, the methanol is the problem: also too expensive here in Seffrica. The potassium hydroxide can also be a problem to source if you don't have a chemical supplier nearby.

[superquag]

.......... however we wanted to ensure it was washed MUCH better than the usual crud.

......... This is as good as biodiesel gets...

As for the saponified glycerol-water mixture, it would be a waste to tip it down the drains at work, I was planning to put it on the garden as fertiliser.

Simple test to see how well you've washed the bio...


Take a glass container (Jam, honey etc) fill 1/2 with bio, 1/2 with water, cap then shake enough to mix the two thoroughly.
- see how long it takes for the mixture to perfectly split apart.

The #1 - quality bio would do this in seconds... Used to annoy the heck out of me! :D

How did you wash yours ? - Misting? (invented here in Perth) or Bubbles ? Mechanical mixing?

I ended up using a combination of adding 5% water to the brew before settling, misting first, then finish off with bubble-washing.