Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Useful Resource or Endless Shaking?

Ahh, biodiesel. The chemical we all love. With its reduction of system wear in diesel engines, vegetable-oil base, and better-for-the-environment properties, we would think that it would be a privelage and/or honor to contribute in making this glorious resourceful substance. Right? Wrong.
Biodiesel may be a wonderful energy substitute, but my arms have never been so sore. Between the mixing, shaking, and filtrating, this chemical has run its course with my last nerve. The rarity of this substance is no longer a mystery.
The Process:
1. You take a two-liter bottle.
2. You fill said bottle, half-way, with oil.
3. You mix methanol and potasium-hydroxide into a beaker and mix until it changes colors.
4. Add mixture to oil.
5. SHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKE!!
6. Spray water into the bottle about 1000000001 times.
7. Drain water from bottom.
8. Repeat step 7 and 8 about 5 times.
9. Spray 100 sprays of vinegar once in a while.
10. SHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKE!!
11. Sit bottle in the sun.
And then after awhile..

Eureka! You should have biodiesel.

Unfortunately, these steps are a little more complicated. Do not try this at home.
And even when working in a Biodiesel Lab, you come up with this..

Do you know what this is? Yeah, I'm not too sure either. Now, this bottle has A LOT more shaking to do.
Thank goodness it's not mine!

No comments: