Green Energy
Recycling, Inc.
Fueling Alternative Solutions
Biodiesel Process


Recycling Used Cooking Oil into Biodiesel

  • Waste cooking oil can be recycled into biodiesel using the transesterification
    process.
  • Collected waste oil is filtered to remove particles and heated to remove water.
  • The used oil is now ready for processing.
  • A sample of the oil is titrated to determine the Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content.
  • The FFA content will determine the amount of alkaline catalyst needed to react with
    the oil and methanol converting it into biodiesel fuel.
  • Adding the correct amount of catalyst to methanol will ensure complete conversion.
  • The catalyst must be completely dissolved in methanol in a separate container
    creating methoxide.
  • The methoxide is added to the oil at process temperature and agitated.
  • Agitation and temperature can very depending on the reactor set-up.
  • This chemical process frees the glycerin and recombines the remaining parts with
    the methanol forming biodiesel.
  • Turning off the temperature and agitation allows the solution to settle.
  • The freed glycerol and biodiesel will separate into two layers
  • The catalyst and most of the unreacted methanol separate out with the glycerin.
  • The heavier glycerol is drained off the bottom, raw biodiesel on top.
  • Raw biodiesel refers to biodiesel that may have methanol, soaps and other
    impurities in it.
  • The raw biodiesel is then purified in a wash process.
  • Water is typically used to wash biodiesel carrying away the impurities.
  • Other dry wash techniques can also be used but filtering problems and quality
    issues need to be addressed with the dry techniques.
  • After washing the biodiesel it is filtered and tested for quality.
  • The biodiesel fuel is then ready for use as B100 or in a blend.