About the Reactor:

The reaction for making biodiesel most often includes dangerous chemicals such as methanol and strong acids. However,  since this reactor must be used in a restaurant environment, we have altered the process to use only non-toxic and accessible chemicals. Methanol is usually used but we have replaced it with ethanol. Additionally, biochar is used as a catalyst as opposed to a strong acid or base.

​

Instructions for Use:

1. The Reactor stands up on the detachable stand (green). It can stay standing on the counter or detached elsewhere when not in use. 

2. Before use, all parts should be cleaned and dried carefully, water can cause impurities in the biodiesel. Once dry, the parts should be assembled as seen in the diagram. Make sure the stopcock (red) is closed before beginning the process. 

3. Before use, waste cooking oil should be boiled in order to remove latent waster. It should then be run through a mesh sieve in order to remove large solid particles. Biochar should be ground and dried in the oven.

4. To begin the process, tie a plastic string or fishing line to the plug (blue) for ease of removal once the reaction is complete. Make sure the plug is inserted.

5. Attach the heat exchanger to the coiled pipe (yellow). The input is above the reaction container and the output is below it.

6. Add 425 grams of biochar to 5.5 L of ethanol in the reaction container (purple).

7. Turn on the heat exchanger at 70 Celsius and mix with an overhead mixer until the biochar is dissolved.

8. Add 15L of cooking oil and continue mixing at 70C for an hour. 

9. Stop mixing and disconnect the heat exchanger. Make sure the stopcock is closed and pull the plug. 

10. Allow the products to settle into separate layers. This should take about 20 minutes. 

11. Use the stopcock mechanism to empty the lower phase (glycerin) into a separate container. What is left in the reactor will be biodiesel! 

12. For higher purity, heat and mix the biodiesel again and allow a second phase separation. 

13. The final product can be used as a heating oil or a diesel substitute in any regular diesel engine.

14. Parts should be disconnected and cleaned between uses.