Bio Diesel Kits
For Greener Fuel

Bio Diesel kits are the motorist's version of a home brew kit. The promise of cheap, renewable diesel fuel for use in commercial or private vehicles is alluring, and can become a cost effective and environmentally friendly reality if some simple considerations are taken into account.

The equipment needed for an effective bio diesel conversion kit for home use is minimal and consists basically of three tanks and various plumbing pieces that connect the tanks. With a degree of resourcefulness and a basic knowledge of plumbing, these parts can probably be purchased from local hardware stores for equal to or less than the cost of a kit purchased online.

The major source of cost for bio diesel kits is not the initial purchasing of the components, but the ongoing cost of the chemicals involved. The chemicals involved are a substance called lye and methanol. The Lye is a highly basic substance (the opposite of acidic), which is usually Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). This chemical is also referred to as Caustic Soda. While methanol may be readily available from selected fuel distributors who are associated with performance vehicles such as speed boats, the availability of Sodium Hydroxide in bulk may be a limiting factor.

In Australia, solid Sodium Hydroxide is categorized as a Class 8 hazardous substance (corrosive), and a license is required for storage of over 250kg of this substance. This restricts its availability to the general public through small scale resellers and also through limiting those individuals wishing to purchase this bio diesel reactant in bulk.

There can be no doubt that governments throughout the developed world should be encouraging the private production and use of bio diesel. Whether this is sourced through used vegetable oil or fresh crop oil from rapeseed, canola, palm oil or any other source is fundamentally irrelevant. The important factors are the availability of the chemicals needed to transform the oil into diesel fuel.

The requirements for the purchase, storage and use of sodium hydroxide and methanol vary from state to state, so it is absolutely necessary to investigate the local regulations for the purchase and storage of both these chemicals. It is also necessary to factor their costs into your calculations. Beware of offers to supply you with these chemicals in violation of local State regulations.

Have a look at what's involved: