Basic Procedure for Making Biodiesel Fuel

Basic Procedure for Making Biodiesel Fuel. The very first patent for the procedure for making biodiesel fuel was granted to G. Chavanne in 1937. Biodiesel is a type of natural fuel that is made of oil and fats. This is mainly used for cooking and to propel vehicles. However, this is not used as 100% alternative for gasoline. This can only be used in blends with diesel. Procedure for making biodiesel fuel is not made or based on petroleum, as opposed to the conventional means of producing fuel.

Before, the procedure for making biodiesel fuel is known as alcoholysis. Now, it is known as transesterification. This is a process by which ethyl alcohol is mixed with natural oil from vegetables to produce biodiesel fuel. To begin with this process, one needs to make the alcohol stronger in the fatty acids found in animal and plant oils. What is mainly used in the production of biodiesel is virgin oil so it will produce a higher yield, on the average, the yield is 98%. This means it is much more economical. One needs to note, though, that if the biodiesel source is waste oil, it has to be purified first.

Next procedure for making biodiesel fuel is to mix the catalysts to neutralize the acids. After which, one may now proceed with the actual transesterification process. This involves adding the base—commonly used is sodium hydroxide to alcohol and dissolving it. This solution is then added to the virgin oil or waste oil. The oil should be warm so the mixture is perfect. And finally, the biodiesel is dried after the excess alcohol has been extracted.