1st Dr Pepper Attempt

1) Got some WVO from the local Mexican place down the street about a month ago and let it sit.
2) Scooped a liter of murky golden oil off the top.
3) Took to boiling point (~260 f) and saw very tiny bubbles...no boiling so seemed H2O free.
4) Let cool to ~ 140 f and put in 2 liter bottle.
5) Added the fully diluted mix (250 ml (most of the yellow bottle) of HEET + 1 tsp of lye from Lowes).
6) Shook for 5 seconds 4 times over 1 hour.
7) Let sit for 48 hours.
The oil started murky gold and is now murky gold with a 2 inch layer of black gook at the bottom of the 2 liter soda bottle. It's like a lava lamp! I do not see an appreciable difference between the before and after color and opaqueness of the top part.

Is it just that the oil was THAT BAD and I need to run it again or perhaps I need to "wash" the rest of the crud out? Heaven forbid that I did something wrong
first you chemistry seems to be off.
did you get complete disolution of the lye in the heet
I have heard that heet is not the best source of methanol (I have never used it just read that in a few places)
Your agitation techniqe was inadequate.

1) Got some WVO from the local Mexican place down the street about a month ago and let it sit.
2) Scooped a liter of murky golden oil off the top.
3) Took to boiling point (~260 f) and saw very tiny bubbles...no boiling so seemed H2O free.
4) Let cool to ~ 140 f and put in 2 liter bottle.
5) Added the fully diluted mix (250 ml (most of the yellow bottle) of HEET + 1 tsp of lye from Lowes).
6) Shook for 5 seconds 4 times over 1 hour.
7) Let sit for 48 hours.
The oil started murky gold and is now murky gold with a 2 inch layer of black gook at the bottom of the 2 liter soda bottle. It's like a lava lamp! I do not see an appreciable difference between the before and after color and opaqueness of the top part.

Is it just that the oil was THAT BAD and I need to run it again or perhaps I need to "wash" the rest of the crud out? Heaven forbid that I did something wrong

#3. Those "tiny bubbles" ARE water, and can effect the process.
#5. How many grams is 1 tsp? What type of "Lye"? What strength?
#6. You should have shaken the s*** out of it for at least 5 min.
Definitely under-processed............
first you chemistry seems to be off.
did you get complete disolution of the lye in the heet
I have heard that heet is not the best source of methanol (I have never used it just read that in a few places)
Your agitation techniqe was inadequate.
Can you please help with a little more detail around the chemistry being off? They say 250ml methanol (about 1 cup, right???) and 6g NAOH (about 1 tsp, right???)
The solution DID completely dissolve into a clear liquid before I put it in with the oil. Took about 5 minutes of hard shaking in a closed mason jar.
Would also like additional detail on proper agitation as well as any suggestions on where to get a better test methanol source if HEET is no good.
Sorry for the basic questions...I was hoping enough research in advance would result in a positive result but I was obviously wrong.

Thanks!
#5. instructions say that 1tsp = 6-7g and I used Roebic 100% Sodium Hydroxide.
Sounds like I need to try test batch #2.
I don't really know, but I think that extra 1% proprietary ingrediant may be the problem.
Good luck. Jim
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The solution DID completely dissolve into a clear liquid before I put it in with the oil. Took about 5 minutes of hard shaking in a closed mason jar.
Would also like additional detail on proper agitation as well as any suggestions on where to get a better test methanol source if HEET is no good.
Sorry for the basic questions...I was hoping enough research in advance would result in a positive result but I was obviously wrong.

Thanks!
You are correct that 250 ml is approx one cup
To measure the lie try a dixie cup scale:
Dixie Cup Scale - Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial
remember to use distilled water for the standard weight (water from your faucet has to much junk in it so it is heavier than distilled)
go buy a cheap medication dispensing dropper to measure the water with.
Mexican Food places tend to use the oil for a long time and that causes a heavy buildup of FFAs. For that reason you really should titrate to get accurate an measure how much NaOH you need.
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/titratingoil/
As far as proper agitation goes ya really need to shake the s*** out of it for for at least 5 mins.
Dont give up it is worth the effort and you will get there. Many here have tried several times before succeeding.
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