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Biodiesel is a viable, sustainable alternative to petroleum that can be used to run any unmodified diesel engine. Homemade biodiesel is made with discarded

Biodiesel Mixin' Mixer at Path to Freedom

waste vegetable oil from food services that would have otherwise gone into landfills, dumped illegally into storm drains or fed to livestock

Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that can be used straight in the fuel tank of any vehicle with an existing diesel engine. No engine conversion is needed!

Just about anyone can rig up a biodiesel fuel plant virtually anywhere, mostly using stuff you can find lying around, including the basic raw material -- waste vegetable oil.

Here at Path to Freedom, we are running our diesel car on home-brewed biodiesel with discarded vegetable oil collected from local restaurants in our area.

Our homemade biodiesel processor was made from a combination of recycled materials and local hardware store goods. The same can be accomplished by anyone with a concern for the environment and a vision for sustainability.

OVERVIEW

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is relatively safe and easy to process when conscientiously approached. Made from vegetable oil (or animal fat) that can be used in any diesel engine without any modifications. Boasting an overall 90% reduction in toxic emissions (compared to diesel), biodiesel is by far our best alternative fuel option at present. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel currently available that has an overall positive life cycle energy balance (3.2:1, compared to a paltry .86:1 of diesel). It is renewable, sustainable, & domestically produced,

The only danger to the homemade biodiesel manufacturing process is the handling of the ingredients. Both lye and methanol are highly toxic. Lye will burn skin upon contact, and will do severe damage upon ingestion and prolonged inhalation as well. Methanol can be absorbed through the skin and cause nerve damage, and can also be fatal if ingested and cause blindness when in contact with eyes.

The only by-product of this form of biodiesel is glycerin, which can be easily used to make soap or other products.

Biodiesel can also be produced from other biologically derived oils such as soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, hemp oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, palm oil, corn oil, mustard oil, flaxseed oil, waste cooking oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, beef tallow, pork lard, as well as other types of animal fat.

Biodiesel is actually as old as the diesel engine itself. Rudolf Diesel, the 19th-century originator of diesel technology, used refined peanut oil to run his invention. Diesel�s workhorse engine took off, but the rise of cheap crude oil killed his vision of farmers growing their own fuel.

Now, after a century burning fossil fuels, the diesel engine is finding its way back to its agricultural roots costing less than 75 cents per gallon to produce.

Biodiesel fuel burns up to 75% cleaner than conventional diesel fuel made from fossil fuels
Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in exhaust fumes
Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulphur)
Biodiesel is plant-based and adds no CO2 to the atmosphere
The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than conventional diesel fuel

Biodiesel is available now to an average person � It�s in our power to make a difference! Homebrew a clean alternative fuel in your backyard. Here's how....

(NOTE: If you are unable to brew your own, you can purchase

biodiesel at fueling stations near you or locate a co-op in your area).

~ Know the lingo: BIODIESEL FUEL GLOSSARY ~

HOMEMADE BIODIESEL

From fryer to fuel

What you will need:

Used or fresh vegetable oil (strained with a coffee filter or cloth)

*Red Devil Lye

*Methanol (dry gas methanol- found at automotive racing stores)

Isopropyl Alcohol (for tests-- use 99% IPA)

Eyedropper- or other type of 1 milliliter dropper

PH paper-- available at drug stores-- to test for acidity

Old blender to do test batches

Plastic or glass measuring cups or beakers, with metric measures & scale

Plastic, glass or stainless stirrers and spoons,

Plastic buckets to store glycerol, metal drums to store biodiesel

Rubber gloves, safety glasses, plastic apron

*WARNING: The chemicals involved in making Biodiesel can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. Use proper safety equipment such as goggles, glove and long sleeve shirts.

NEVER EVER USE ANY OF THE UTENSILS, POTS NOR BLENDER FOR LIQUID NOR FOOD CONSUMPTION AGAIN!!!

Biodiesel is made by way of a simple chemical process known as trans-esterification. The WVO oil and methanol mixture is set to sit and then the "magic" happens!

This is basically a brief outline on how to brew biodiesel.

	Photo One: Maria Alovert (aka Girl Mark) $150 Fumeless Biodiesel Processor using "off the shelf" parts from hardware stores. Armed with Maria's sketch and her *Homebrew Guide Book* we are ready to roll. Note: Scroll down to see the space saving modifications done by Jules...
	Photo Two: Couple of the folks from So Cal Biodiesel Group (Nicole Cousino, George and Kalib) got together to make the Maria's water heater processor - they started assembling and found out that the processor need a permanent home. So, we "adopted" the water heater from Nicole Cousino (of FAT OF THE LAND "fame").
	Photo Three: Doing titration. This helps determine the free fatty acid contained in the waste vegetable oil. The FFA is formed from heating the presence of water - i.e., fryer conditions. If you use WVO, you should titrate each batch to determine how much catalyst you will need. It�s best to titrate to eliminate the risk of having a failed batch due to incomplete conversion. You never know how badly used the oil will be when you get it from a restaurant waste oil bin.
	Photo Four: Kalib determining the pH. During the titration process you have to keep track of how much lye/water it takes to neutralize (bring pH to 8.5) the FFA in the oil sample. In our case we use phenol red indicator to tell us when the solution reaches about ph 8.5. We also use a solvent - isopropyl alcohol to dissolve both the FFA, the lye and the phenol red.
	Photo Five: Before using the water heater processor, we made a blender biodiesel "test batch." It's vital to test the quality of waste vegetable oil prior to making biodiesel. There are a number of tests one can perform on the grease - wash test, titration and ph test. Many factors can affect used oil, including how long it had been used in the fryer, what types of foods were cooked in it (and whether they were burned as a result of inattention or mistakes), the frying temperature and many other variables. Always mix a small batch first in an old blender to test your ratios. If successful the amounts can be multiplied directly
	Photo Six: Sample of oils from different restaurants that are undergoing a wash test for emulsification. There are many unseen contaminants in homebrewed biodiesel that are water-soluble and a wash test is a good way to make them visible. This test is a useful visual comparison between different batches of fuel. It indicates clarity of wash water, i.e., how much soaps and catalyst a sample contains and it also indicates mono-and di-glycerides, soaps and anything else that could cause emulsification.
	Photo Seven: Nikki and George measuring out the filtered waste vegetable oil (local restaurant owners are generally eager to part with) that will be pumped into the water heater processor. It's necessary to filter the WVO to get any food particulates out. Biodiesel fuel is made by chemically altering vegetable oil to its "methyl ester" - a clean-burning, renewable diesel.
	Photo Eight: George primes the pump for pumping. The oil has been heated to 130 F, while the oil was heating JC measured out the methanol and lye mixture that will be added to the heated oil. Once the methanol and lye mixture is pumped into the processor, then agitated for 1-2 hours or more. Let the transesterification magic begin! This mixture will settle, unheated to allow the dark "by product" glycerol to separate.
	Photo Nine: Here's a photo of the space saving modifications Jules Dervaes (of Path to Freedom) made to Girl Mark's original processor in "photo one". The modifications made it able for the components and pump to easily fit on a 2' x 2' stand that has rollers attached. This allows one to wheel the processor out from the garage into the outdoors to safely brew biodiesel - not to mention easy clean up!
	Improvement that were made are: Easy carboy feeding system Compact placement of the pump on wheeled stand Placement of intake valves for space
	Photo Ten: Biodiesel being pumped out of the water heater. The glycerin by product can be used "as is" as a cleaner and excellent degrease. Just remember that you'll have to first "air out" the methanol fumes. This needs to be done properly and carefully in an outdoor space - as the methanol can produce a poisonous gas. Research this procedure thoroughly before doing anything - the little waste glycerol we have is being store in sealed 5 gal bucket.
	Photo Eleven: The biodiesel after the first bubblewash. The bubblewash is done using a 55 gallon drum and a aquatic pump and air stone. The fuel will require a couple of washings till the water is unclouded and measures the same pH as the tap water The biodiesel itself should also be clear - when finished - same clarity as pure cooking oil.
	Photo Twelve: Once the biodiesel is washed, you'll have to settle/dry and evaporate and residual water out of the fuel until it is completely "clear" (see through). Once the biodiesel is dry, there is one more step before you are able to fill 'er up! To remove and abrasive particulates, filter to 5 microns using a common water filter. NOTE: Combustible fuels should never be stored or transported in glass containers, this fuel was decanted into the container strictly for the purpose of this photograph.
	Photo Thirteen: Our 88' diesel Chevy Suburban (aka Bio-Burban) runs on homebrewed biodiesel. No modifications needed! Only thing needed was to change the fuel filter several times after running biodiesel as it is cleans out the accumulated deposits in the fuel tank. Fuel the revolution!
	Download available... INTRODUCTION TO BIODIESEL (pdf) Basic overview of this alternative fuel source. Includes faqs, charts, and diagrams. (14pps)

MORE PHOTOS OF BIODIESEL BREWING PROCESS ONE MORE WARNING: In pre-1993 cars, using 100% Biodiesel for longer than 4 weeks straight will cause complications to any rubber components of the engine that the fuel might come into contact with-fuel pump, hoses, o-rings, etc. Before doing it yourself, one needs to do some extensive research or perhaps take a workshop in your local area. There is a lot of excellent information on the internet that is very helpful when starting your own backyard lab. We hope that we have encouraged small-scale biodiesel production and an alternative vision for sustainability. And remember that safety is always important!

Recommended References

Highly recommended sites:

� Local B 100 - Maria ('Mark') Alovert from Berkeley, California, is an activist who teaches classes on making biodiesel and is the inventor of the fumeless water heater processor.

� Biodiesel Online Tutorial - Mark Alovert's online homebrew tutorial. Our goal is simple: Help you learn how to make biodiesel.

� Homebrew Guide Book - The 107-page Homebrew Guide contains comprehensive how-to instructions for making, washing, and testing homebrew biodiesel, and some plans for building biodiesel making equipment. It does not contain information on straight vegetable oil technology or methanol recovery.

� The Appleseed Biodiesel Reactor - Open-source' plans for biodiesel homebrewing equipment, using off-the-shelf parts and a water heater:

Other resources

� Journey to Forever - Detailed information on how to make your own biodiesel.

� Veggie Avenger - Berkley resident who drives a car and truck that runs on biodiesel - a non-toxic, renewable and cleaner burning fuel made from vegetable oil.

� Veggie Van - Everything you need to know about biodiesel, including FAQ

� Biodiesel Now - Forum and information regarding biodiesel.

� Boulder Biodiesel - Boulder biofuel cooperative.

� BioDiesel - Official site of the National Biodiesel Board.

� GreaseCar - Greasecar vegetable Fuel Systems allow any diesel vehicle to run on straight, unprocessed vegetable oil.

� Greasel - Information source for running your diesel engine on free, waste vegetable oil.

� Neoteric Biofuel - Pioneering technical specialists in the field of affordable renewable oil (vegetable oil) fuel equipment for diesel engines.

� Grease Works! - An independent biodiesel cooperative based in Corvallis.

� Grassolean - Source for everything biodiesel.

� Veg Burner - Fuelling diesel engines with vegetable oil

� Greasy Gypsy - Have questions or share experience visit the gypsy forum.

� Greasy Guerrilla - Fighting to bring alternatives to petroleum fuel to the people.

� Fatmobile - SVO systems and support.

� BE BioEnergy - Australian farmer promoting the use of biofuel.