Most biodiesel ingredients start with a vegetable-based oil.  The fatty deposits in vegetable oils are required for the process that converts the biodiesel ingredients into a product that powers vehicles.

Vegetable Oil is the Main Biodiesel Ingredient

Realistically, biodiesel dates back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Rudolf Diesel, the creator of the diesel engine, ran his engine using peanut oil, one of many potential ingredients for biodiesel, at the 1900 World Exhibition.

Years later, Henry Ford would demonstrate his Model T using a corn-based biodiesel (ethanol).  Unfortunately, at the time, gas was cheaper and more efficient.  Therefore, modern engines were designed to run on gas rather than alternatives.

Plant or animal fats top the list of biodiesel ingredients.  As long as the product contains triacylglycerols (triglycerides), the fat or oils can be used to create fuel.  Plants like corn, soybeans, cotton, sunflower, grapeseed, palm and peanut are all suitable sources of these oils.

Animal fats like lard or butter are also suitable biodiesel ingredients, though they are more expensive to develop.  Therefore, they are rarely considered as a suitable source for biodiesel.

In recent years, attention has been focusing on used cooking oils as a biodiesel ingredient source.  In restaurants throughout the world, vegetable oils are used for cooking every day.  This used cooking oil can be filtered and turned into biodiesel.

This helps the environment in two ways.  First, it forms an alternative to petroleum-based gasoline.  Second, restaurants no longer face disposing of old oil.  Used oil should not be poured into septic or sewer systems, it is messy to throw away and doesn't break down into the soil easily.

Many are uncertain on how to properly dispose of the cooking oil they use in deep fryers.  With many seeking alternate fuel sources, scientists have proven that used oil is a perfect ingredient for biodiesel, and it is very low cost because it is recycled.

Alcohol to make Biodiesel

Filtered vegetable oils are broken down using a process known as transesterification.  Transesterification dates back to 1853.  Oil is purified and mixed with an alcohol base such as methanol or ethanol, two other important ingredients in biodiesel.  The second step in making biodiesel is critical.

Catalysts Create a Reaction

Catalysts such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide are added to the oil and alcohol mixture.  This causes a chemical reaction.  The resulting reaction converts the vegetable oil's triacylglycerols into esters that form biodiesel fuel.

With only three main ingredients in any biodiesel recipe, it is clear that biodiesel is an excellent solution to today's fuel crisis.  Oil, alcohol and a catalyst are all the biodiesel ingredients needed to ending our dependency on gasoline.

If you own or are thinking of buying a diesel vehicle and you are concerned about the rising costs of diesel, you might consider saving money by making your own biodiesel. It is surprisingly easy if you know how.  For a step by step guide I highly recommend the Encyclopaedia of Making Biodiesel at Home.


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