Adding methanol (paint thinner) and lye (drain cleaner) to vegetable oil will produce diesel fuel--called biodiesel--but of exceedingly poor quality. Producing something you would want to put in an engine requires high-quality ingredients and precise measuring. Several communities exist online (see References and Resources below) to guide beginner diesel fuel brewers.
Instructions
1. Pour the methanol into the 1/2-liter container using a funnel. The lye can be potassium (KOH) or sodium (NaOH) hydroxide. This recipe uses KOH. Measure it according to its purity: 5.8 grams for 85 percent pure, 5.5 grams for 90 percent, 5.3 grams for 92 percent. Pour the lye into the container using a clean funnel. Swirl the container until the mixture is clear. The result is methoxide.
2. Heat the oil in a pan until the thermometer shows 130 F. Pour it into the blender. Carefully add the methoxide and mix on low speed for 30 minutes. Pour it into one of the soda bottles and let settle for 12 to 24 hours.
3. Glycerine, a 20 percent byproduct, will separate and fall to the bottom. Decant the top 80 percent into a clean soda bottle. Don't allow any glycerine in.
4. Test the quality of the fuel. Pour 1/2 liter of water into it. Shake vigorously. Let it settle. If the fuel completely separates from the water within 30 minutes, it's good. Decant the fuel from the water into a clean soda bottle. But if it continues to look like mayonnaise, start over with more-precise measurements.
5. Wash any remaining impurities from the biodiesel. Washing is done by forcing air bubbles through the fuel or, easier for home brewers, mixing it with water. Pour 1/2 liter of water into the fuel. Roll the bottle on a flat surface until the two liquids become homogeneous. Let it settle for at least three hours. Separate the fuel and water either by decanting from the top or draining the water from the bottom via a hole. Repeat the washing.
6. Let the fuel settle. When it turns completely translucent, it's ready to use.
Tags: grams percent, Pour into, water into, clean soda, clean soda bottle, container using