EWB-UK Training

Hand Over Pack

Make your own BioFuel

At a glance:

Community of Practice - Energy

Type: Practical Workshop
Duration : 1 construction, more for testing
Min/Max participants: 25 or more
Room/space requirements: Ready for practical work Comment [M1]: At a glance
information

Objectives Comment [M2]: What are the

aims/objectives of the course?
To learn about the role of bio diesel in solving the issue of
fossil fuel shortages.
1. Introduction Comment [M3]: Background
information on the course eg. Type (lecture
This is one of the workshops run at the Small is festivals . This hands-on workshop serves based / practical), themes, group size,
as an introduction to Biofuels. It is a simple, no expertise needed workshop that branches audience/who usually goes. When has this
course previously run? Is content always
can hold so students can learn about the problems surrounding fossil fuels and the the same or along a different theme each
time?
possibility to use alternative sources.

2. Venue Comment [M4]: Where has this course

been held previously? How do you get
An area suitable for doing hands on work and mixing liquids there? What facilities are required for the
Kitchen for source of heat. Use portable hobs if this isnt possible course? How do you book rooms? How
much does it cost and how much notice do
you have to give? Are there issues with
3. Typical Itinerary getting in at certain times and is there a
specific way of getting in eg. Swipe card.
These are the timings of a 1hour workshop but you can extend the timing if you would like
Comment [M5]: Remember to include
more practical time. breaks and time for setting up and clearing
away. Be aware of daylight hours if
sessions are held outside. Are there
Time Activity Equipment reasons why certain sessions happen when
they do? Have alternatives been tried and
5 minutes Welcome what were the outcomes? Do participants
rotate through the sessions or does the
15 minutes Introduction group stay as a whole?
25 minutes Practical Oil, methanol, potassium hydroxide, tools list
10 minutes Wrapping up
5 minutes Closing Sign-ups for email

4. Session Information Comment [M6]: Overview of each of

the sessions in the course eg. Type,
description of activity, contacts...Are
handover packs available for individual
Preparation sessions? Are sessions always the same?
What other sessions have run or could be
Have some biodiesel samples ready made for demonstration run? Are helpers needed for the session?

Prepare equipment, tools, materials and hand outs

Research other ideas for discussion
Prepare sign-up sheets for new members

Welcome (5 minutes)
Introduce yourself:

Your Name
Position/Job/Organisation
Your role in the workshop
Relevant experience to the workshop (University, projects, work etc.)

Explain the learning objectives of the workshop to the audience:

The purpose of the workshop is for participants to gain a greater understanding of the
importance of bio diesel and the way it can help with the increasing demand for oil in
transport . This is done via the presentation in the introduction session
With that complete the participants will have the chance to make their own biofuel

Introduction (15 Minutes)

A presentation on the challenges facing fossil fuel.

With fossil fuel reserves decreasing there is an increasing demand for alternative fuel
sources to power our vehicles. Some of the current suggestions are liquid gas, electric cars
and hydrogen fuel cells. Biodiesel is another alternative to the standard petroleum based
fuel.

In short, biodiesel refers to vegetable oil. It is made by reacting an oil with an alcohol. The
reason why standard vegetable oil isnt used on its own is because it is too thick. It wont run
in a standard diesel engine. The process of making biodiesel is to thin it out so it will work in
a standard engine. This is the much simpler option compared to re-designing an engine.
Biodiesel can be mixed with traditional diesel or used just on its own.

Biodiesel will generally work in any standard diesel engine. Some engines may struggle with
100% biodiesel. There are websites available to check this information (See further
information). Generally it is a very clean fuel to use and will often lubricate and extend the
life of an engine. Biodiesel offers a fantastic opportunity for the transport industry as it has
no carbon emissions and uses a waste product. Roughly 30 million gallons of waste
vegetable oil is thrown away from fast food restaurants in the USA each year.

Making biodiesel is very cost effective. Biodiesel can be made at home for about $1 a gallon
(Material cost, no start-up cost included). The industry is beginning to grow and more fuel
stations across America are beginning to sell biodiesel. Restaurants also becoming aware of
the situation and are willing to give their used cooking oil to people to make biodiesel
instead of throwing it away

There are however some problems with making biodiesel. To make it at home requires a
proper processor. It can be made in jugs, pans and buckets but to make enough to use a
processor is required. This will take time and effort to set up. It also will bring a fairly large
cost with it. Making biodiesel is often a messy process so requires a large area to do it

Before letting participants make their own it is a good idea to show them some samples of
biodiesel at different stages of the process. This way the participants know what they are
aiming for. It is especially worth showing them the stage at the end where the biodiesel
separates from the red glycerol at the bottom.

Once the samples have been shown the participants should be divided into groups according
to the numbers attending as well as the amount of equipment available.

For a more technical audience the chemistry behind the process of making biodiesel can be
presented in the introduction (See additional resources for a short clip on the chemistry of
biodiesel)
 Practical (25 Minutes)
The step by step instructions for making the biofuel

Measurements dont need to be very accurate. When dealing with the potassium hydroxide
it is advised to wear protective gloves and protective eye wear if available. Make sure
participants are aware of the hazards of working with the sodium hydroxide.

1. Pass around the unfiltered cooking oil to each group. Each group should measure
out 500ml of the oil in a measuring jug.
2. The oil should be passed through a pair of nylon tights to filter it
3. Measure 100ml of methanol in a measuring jug
4. Measure 4g of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) on the scales

NOTE: Wear protective gloves and eye wear if available. Potassium hydroxide can be a
dangerous chemical and should not be in contact with skin. Participants should be warned
of the dangers of potassium hydroxide before they begin using it

5. Add the KOH into the meth and keep stirring until it all dissolves (Can take about 5-8
minutes)
6. Heat the oil in the saucepan to about 60oC
7. Once the oil has reached the right temperature turn off the heat and add the
solution of methanol and KOH
8. Keep stirring the new solution for about 10 minutes
9. The new mixture will change colour quite a lot. It will go from a yellow oil colour to a
dark reddy brown.
10. Let the solution settle for 10 minutes. 2 layers should develop, a lighter colour fluid
on top and a darker fluid on the bottom (To see this happen it is best to transfer it
back to a clear measuring jug)

NOTE: Any stirring spoon used should be thrown away after (or only kept to be used in this
workshop again)

Wrapping up (10 minutes)

Finish with a few extra notes about bio diesel

- The exact amount of KOH required to make bio diesel should be calculated by doing a
titration however for the purpose of a workshop the ratios above will produce suitable
results. The amount of methanol used is generally 20-22% of the amount of oil used.
- Once the two layers have developed the process is complete. The lighter fluid on top is the
biodiesel whilst the darker fluid on the bottom is the glycerol left over. By swirling the jug
with the mixture you should notice that the biodiesel is a lot thinner and moves about
quicker than the heavier glycerol.
- The biodiesel can be left to settle for a few more days to ensure all of the glycerol and
biodiesel has separated.
- Once the bio diesel has been separate from the glycerol it can be put into any diesel
operated vehicle like normal diesel oil.
- If you were making a significant amount of bio diesel at home you could drain the glycerol
from the bottom of the processing tank. When the colour changes from dark to light you
know you have removed all the glycerol from the remaining mixture.
- More often than not the bio diesel needs to be washed. The washing process removes any
remaining impurities or chemicals that havent reacted properly. A quick way to measure the
quality of the bio diesel is to have a glass jar filled with half bio diesel and half water. The jar
should be shaken quickly and then let to settle for 5 minutes. Between the layers of water
and oil there should be a middle layer called emulsion. The smaller this layer the easier the
wash process will be.
- Mist Wash: Adding water to the bio diesel from the top using a fine misting head. Water
droplets will form and fall through the bio diesel to the bottom of the tank collecting any
impurities on the way. Draining off the water and repeating will clean the bio diesel
affectively. Once the drained off water is clear the bio diesel is ready to use.

Closing (5 minutes)
Final few words:

Announce next event or meeting

Distribute sign up lists (If applicable)
Open the floor to questions

5. Useful Resources Comment [M7]: Links to materials used

and any background information that
http://www.biodiesel.org/ - A useful website with lots of information regarding biodiesel would be useful for other people.

http://www.nrel.gov/ - The national renewable energy laboratory have some useful

information regarding biodiesel and other fuels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbBp6x660e8&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL A short
but effective video explaining the chemistry behind making biodiesel. There are further
videos explaining other aspects of biodiesel e.g. performance

6. Materials Comment [M8]: What materials are

required for the course? In what
Per batch of bio plastic (Ideally per person): quantities? Where do you get them from?
Transport/storage issues? Contacts?
100g of potato Alternatives that can be used?

300cm3 of distilled water

25ml of water
3cm3 of hydrochloric acid or vinegar
2ml pure glycerol
3cm3 sodium hydroxide
Food colouring
 7. Tools Comment [M9]: As for tools.

Number of tools depend on number of groups

Grater
Pestle & Mortar
Strainer
Beaker/Jars
Measuring cylinder/jug
Weighing scales
Indicator Paper
Portable hob

Comment [M10]: Are there any

8. Feedback common trends with feedback? What do
people particularly enjoy? What
improvements have been suggested?
9. Costings this could be the budget spreadsheet attached as an What are key things to remember?
Comment [M11]: Typical costs of
appendix materials/tools/food/accommodation/
Item Quantity Price per Total speaker travel expenses etc. How much do
participants usually pay?
unit

10.Joining Instructions Comment [M12]: Information that is

sent out to participants prior to the course.
See TIP for more information of what
11.Risks to consider (to guide a risk assessment form) should be included.

Potential Risks Mitigation Strategy

12.Organiser Checklist see relevant generic checklists Comment [M13]: List of things to
remember to take to the course. Could be
used with a generic course
checklist/timeline in the TIP?