Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much biodiesel can I produce with the Ester Machine?

2. How long does it take to make biodiesel with the Ester Machine?

3. How much does it cost per gallon to produce biodiesel?

4. How much biodiesel is produced from a 40 gallon batch of oil?

5. How much glycerol is produced when producing biodiesel?

6. How much methanol is needed to produce biodiesel?

7. What types of oil can I use?

8. Why a water heater?

9. Why the barrels?

10. Why buy from us?

11. What other sources of information do you recommend?

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1. How much biodiesel can I produce with the Ester Machine?
The Ester Machine is configured to wash and dry 80 gallons of biodiesel per day.
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2. How long does it take to make biodiesel with the Ester Machine?
Processing 40 gallons of oil takes 1 - 1 ½ hrs. The Ester Machine is constructed with a heated intake barrel to allow you to heat a second batch while the first batch is processing. Once 80 gallons of oil has been processed the Ester Machine has a dual wash and dry system allowing you to wash and dry 80 gallons of fuel at one time. The length of time it takes to wash and dry your fuel is dependant upon several variables such as the quality of your feedstock and humidity. The longer you let your fuel settle after washing, the quicker the fuel will dry. Washing and drying can take anywhere from a few hours to a day.
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3. How much does it cost per gallon to produce biodiesel?
Potassium Hydroxide, Methanol and Electricity cost $0.70 per gallon.
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4. How much biodiesel is produced from a 40 gallon batch of oil?
It is a 1:1 output. The amount of vegetable oil you start out with is the amount of biodiesel you will be able to create. Poor quality oil reduces yield.
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5. How much glycerol is produced when producing biodiesel?
20% of glycerol is produced in relation to the amount of oil used. If you have a 80 gallon batch you will produce 16 gallons of glycerol.
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6. How much methanol is needed to produce biodiesel?
You will need 20% methanol. If you have a 80 gallon batch you will therefore need 16 gallons of methanol.
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7. What types of oil can I use?
Rapeseed/Canola, Soybean, Palm Oil, Coconut, Jatropha, Peanut, Sunflower, Safflower, Hemp, Corn, ect. Unsaturated is best. The better the quality of oil you use as a feedstock, the easier it is to make high quality fuel.
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8. Why a water heater?
Our water heater reactor vessels are a graceful solution to effectively and safely heat oil. Our reactor vessels are well insulated, equip to handle pressure and vacuum, and have built in pressure relief. We have also replaced the stock heating element in our water heaters with a stainless steel version of a lower watt density for durability.
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9. Why the barrels?
It seems fitting to us that barrels that previously held petroleum products are now being used to produce renewable fuel. We source our reconditioned barrels from ABC (American Barrel Company) because of their environmentally correct remanufacturing techniques. Recycle, Renew, Reuse!
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10.Why buy from us?

• We design our systems, we build our systems, and we sell our systems.  
• We make fuel using our biodiesel production system every week.  
• We are happy to share our knowledge, expertise, and experience to help you successfully make your own quality fuel.
• We are not a faceless corporation. When you call us you will be speaking to the designer, a builder, or somebody that actually uses the machine.
• We have chosen our production materials and technology with an eye towards longevity and durability.
• We host a local biodiesel production coop.
• We run all of our vehicles on B100
  Reuse!

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11. What other sources of information do you recommend?
Below are links to other sources of information

B100 Supply
Biodiesel and SVO Discussion Forums
Biodiesel Encyclopedia
Biodiesel Now Forum
Fred's TDI Forum
Girl Mark's Biodiesel Page
Girl Mark's Personal Page
llinois Renewable Energy Association
Iowa Renewable Energy Association
IRenewsFlash - EXPO2004 Update
BECON Biodiesel Education - Iowa State
Nebraska Renewable Energy Systems
Organic Valley
Piedmont Biofuels
The Diesel Stop
The Yoderville Biodiesel Cooperative

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