Biodiesel

Biodiesel production is good for the environment and good for the pocketbook
By John R. Hall Consumers are looking for ways to lower their vehicle and home fuel bills. This includes business owners who are beginning to explore the process of making biodiesel fuels.
 

You need to know the definition of biodiesel in order to understand how to make biodiesel. Biodiesel is a non-petroleum-based diesel fuel consisting of short chain alkyl (methyl or ethyl) esters, made by transesterification of vegetable oil, which you can use (alone, or blended with conventional petrodiesel) in unmodified diesel-engine vehicles.

People may think that biodiesel production happens in "secret laboratories" or "hidden basement rooms," but this is not the case. However, it is far more advanced than using a child's chemistry kit, too. Biodiesel production equipment and biodiesel supplies are readily available on the Web and in conventional brick-and-mortar retail stores. People with little or no experience in chemical engineering use biodiesel kits for several reasons, including:

1. Reducing dependency on foreign oil and decreasing the demand using alternative biodiesel fuels.

2. Providing a more clean-burning fuel oil that is environmentally-friendly.

3. Slowing down the depletion of the global supply of one of the earth's most precious fossil fuel: oil.

Learn the biodiesel production process through online sources

You can create biodiesel "from scratch" using fresh oil or by using waste oil. The Internet is a very useful tool for learning more about both methods. Using waste oil helps the environment by recycling used products into useful biodiesel.
Try: Using the waste oil as an example, Future Fuels Distribution Ltd. explains the production process in nine simple steps, starting with filtration of inbound waste oil through the separation and drying processes. A "fresh" process-algae biodiesel-involves using cultivated algae. You can get more information from a downloadable e-book titled "Making Algae Biodiesel at Home."

Find the right biodiesel equipment to suit your needs

You can create biodiesel anywhere using biodiesel production equipment, biodiesel supplies, biodiesel processors and biodiesel kits. You may not be able to buy this equipment at the local hardware store but you can certainly find it online.
Try: Look for a biodiesel kit that will fit into your building envelope-one that is compact and efficient. Home biodiesel kits can fit anyone's budget. Once you've made biodiesel, you have to store it somewhere. That is where fuel storage bladders from Interstate Products are the answer.

Sell biodiesel fuel in your community

If you want to sell the biodiesel fuel that you make, you need to find buyers. What may have been an impossible task a few years ago has become a lot easier thanks to the growing interest in biodiesel fuels as alternative fuel sources. Consequently, there are many buyers for your products.
Try: Filmore Fuels has developed a "community" of buyers and sellers of biodiesel fuel products. You can join that community by registering at their website. If you want to sell biodiesel fuel but aren't too crazy about making it, become a distributor for Yellow Brand Premium Biodiesel.

• Don't be afraid to become a "chemist" and make your own biodiesel. It seems complicated at first, but it is legal and safe.