Biodiesel Methanol

In order to convert ordinary vegetable oil into biodiesel, methanol and sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide (KOH) are added. The vegetable oil is acidic, the methanol is the base and the sodium hydroxide/KOH is the catalyst for the chemical reaction of which biodiesel and glycerol are the products. This process is called transesterification.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a readily available type of alcohol that is often used in racing because it is not as flammable as gasoline. The cost of methanol is comparable to gasoline if not slightly cheaper, but a gallon of biodiesel is only made up of about 20 percent methanol. The cheapest way to purchase methanol is in 55-gallon drums, and it is available from chemical suppliers, as well as auto parts stores for high performance vehicles like racecars.

Safety Precautions for Handling Biodiesel Methanol

While processing biodiesel fuel is essentially safe, it's important to take the necessary safety precautions. Methanol is a potentially dangerous chemical when handled improperly. Whenever handling methanol you should wear a respirator to protect yourself from the toxic vapors, goggles to protect your eyes from splashes and gloves to protect your skin from contact.

At EvolutionBiodieselKits.com, we provide you with all of the information you need to safely process biodiesel fuel in your home or business. When the proper precautions are taken, you needn't worry about accident or injury. If you have any question about the method of processing biodiesel, how to safely handle and store methanol or anything else related to biodiesel processing, our staff is willing and able to provide expert assistance.