No serious discussion of biodiesel, or any subject for that matter, is complete without looking at the "down-side" of the picture. There are things you need to consider before undertaking this project, or any project. Not that anyone is trying to scare you off from making your own biodiesel. But a smart person looks at all angles. Some of the issues concerned have to do with safety. Others concerns have to do if you are considering selling the product. Still others have to do with the process itself. Lets look at all of them...
First...,
...slopping some homemade biodiesel into your engine without first reading the warranty for your vehicle is NOT a wise thing to do. Manufacturers differ. Automakers dont always agree. What youre trying to do is avoid voiding your cars warranty. READ your OME warranty YOURSELF. (Dont take someones word for it...like "Joe" your buddy the mechanic.) To stay on the safe side. For example John Deere, Caterpillar, and New Holland endorse biodiesel and it doesnt void their warranties. However, Mercedes and Volkswagen do accept biodiesel in Europe, yet neither "Endorse nor oppose" biodiesel use in the United States. Go figure.
Secondly...
If youre planning on giving away or selling your biodiesel to friends, family, or anyone else, keep a few things in mind. One, if YOUR biodiesel wreaks THEIR car, its YOU, not the manufacturer who could be held responsible. Also remember, it could also be illegal to sell biodiesel that is not up to federal fuel grade standards. You need to check local, state, and federal laws on this subject and how it pertains to where you live. Making biodiesel is perfectly legal, for your own use. When you start to sell it to other people, that is where the law has its say.
Then there are safety concerns...
Making biodiesel at home is not for children. Be a responsible adult. Many of the materials used to make biodiesel if handled wrong can hurt you. You will be mixing lye and methanol. Be sure to keep children and pets away when making biodiesel. Go to the web site below and read the safety section. Do not attempt to make biodiesel until you understand the hazards involved. Its nothing to panic over, but its nothing you want to get stupid about either.
Lastly...
The biodiesel process itself can be time consuming, and require some work on your part. There are not any free lunches, not in making biodiesel, or anything else. You will need to set aside some time for educating yourself, experimenting, and trying different methods. Be sure to make small test batches first and gradually work your way up to a larger scale. You might experience a few failures. Dont take it personally, just try it again.
Biodiesel will vary from person to person, climate, humidity, and your ingredients, such as the quality of the vegetable oil you are using. Also be sure to test any fuel you make prior to using it. Make sure that you have ended up with a quality, fuel grade product. Otherwise you could be risking damage to your diesel engine or diesel car.
Now, the good news...
Lots of people are doing this and thy have been doing this since the turn of the century. In Europe and in the United States. This is not wacky science. It is not New Age wishful thinking. It has been used for almost a 100 years...especially by farmers. It has been tried, tested and found by the skeptical US government as a viable source of energy. The diesel engine itself was designed with vegetable oil in mind as a fuel. Large numbers of "real" people all over the world are discovering they dont have to be a slave to the Oil Companies any longer...and you can too.
Its true that some of the ingredients are hazardous, but that shouldnt stop you. For example, Lye that is used in most biodiesel recipes is sold in supermarkets and hardware stores as a drain cleaner, it has also been used as a soap since before your grandfathers time. Methanol, another ingredient is used can be bought in the same places over the counter as it is the main ingredient in fondue fuel, as an automotive fuel additive, even barbeque fuel! So dont listen to people who say this is "Extremely dangerous." These are the same people McDonalds had to warn about coffee being hot. Its perfectly safe if youre careful and sensible about the handling and mixing of the product then there is no need to be apprehensive.
As long as you educate yourself, exercise proper concern for yourself and responsibility towards other people, there is no reason you cant be enjoying lower energy and fuel costs, saving money and the knowledge that youre being kind to the environment.
For a full explanation of biodiesel, safety concerns, making biodiesel, and any other aspect of the process, visit the web site below.
