How To Test Biodiesel
 

Hey all, I'm almost finished with my first large scale reactor for making biodiesel and, aside from known tests such as the methanol test, I have no way of knowing if I made quality bio diesel. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas of ways to test to make sure i made biodiesel since i don't have a diesel car to test it on. I was thinking of seeing of a junkyard had a really crappy diesel engine they'd let me try it on to see if it works or not, has anyone tried this? If not what do you guys recommend to test my biodiesel. Thanks, Sirnobody.

You've got to ask whether it really matters how good the fuel is. What sort of engine are you planning on using it in? A new high-tech direct injection computerized expensive still-with-warranty engine? Or an old mid-Eighties IDI? The answer makes a big difference to whether and how well you need to test your fuel.

Do you titrate your oil?

What percentage by volume of methanol are you using?

How slowly did you mix the methoxide into the oil?

Did you wash the fuel afterward? How did you wash it (water, magnesol)? How many wash cycles?

Did you dry the fuel? Is it crystal clear -- so clear you can read a newspaper through the side of a glass jar full of your fuel? If not, it needs to be dried better.

Depending on the answers to these questions, I can give you a pretty good idea of whether you need to run any tests on your fuel, or just pour it in your tank.

well im working with chipotle oil which was like less than a mililitier titration so it has almost no FFA and I didn't make the oil yet and I don't have a diesel car to test it on. Im going to make some soon but need to figure out a final test to prove that its biodiesel and not cooking oil and as for the car I would be driving it would probably be an old school ford diesel IDI or a ford diesel van.

Old Ford IDIs can tolerate low-quality (meaning, partially veggie oil) biodiesel just fine -- I run it in my 6.9 IDI. But if you're concerned, you should check out the <a href="http://utahbiodieselsupply.com/qualitytests.php#3">27/3 test</a>.

Hi all how mush water should I add to 25 gallon bash that I just did tonight.

I assume you want to wash the finished fuel?

Check out <a href="http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/usingawashtank.php">this link</a> for tips on how to water wash.