Need advice on making bio-diesel

[wuushew]

My friend who is in a band is complaining that his 1990s era Ford shuttle bus that he uses for touring is a significant cost factor for him.

Does anyone have advice on the following:



(A) What are the equipment costs for processing vegetable oil?

(B) Are there any legal or tax issues when asking businesses for their used fryer oil?

(C) Are there any climate factors that would inhibit use? He lives in the Chicago area.

[DinahMoeHum]

1. Although I'm no expert, try these links, for starters

http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/gettingstarted/

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel.html

http://www.realgoods.com/p2p/searchResults.do?method=view&search=basic&keyword=biodiesel&sortby=bestSellers&page=1

Beyond those, I'd just say Google the words "making biodiesel" and/or "biodiesel Illinois" and/or "biodiesel Chicago"

As for "climate factors", there may be an important one re Chicago - it may not be feasible in cold-weather climates.

Good luck and good hunting.

[hunter]

2. Look into using vegetable oil directly.

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html

Methanol and lye are unpleasant things to keep around the house.

[wuushew]

3. That was a good link

I don't think I trust this guy to handle the chemistry right. Plus he doesn't own his own house so I don't think his landlord would look kindly on a chemical spill or fire.


The guy lives in Elgin, so maybe I can find someone in the area who is already doing homebrewing to describe the effort involved.