I'm starting out in Bio and have found the quantities you need to order are a little prohibitive OR if you order in small quantities it costs you about 3 times as much - so I'm wondering who in Melbourne might be interested in a group purchase so we can all get the price benefit without having to purchase and store huge amounts of chemicals.

This is what I have sourced.

KOH (Potassium Hydroxide flakes) $14 / 5 kgs

Isopropal Alcohol $32 / 5ltrs

Methanol $65 / 50 litres

I'll leave this offer open until Sunday 15th June after which time I will be purchasing - I need 4 people to take 1 batch of each (ie: 5kgs KOH, 5Ltrs Iso, 50Litres Methanol) Collection is at Croydon.

Let me know if you are interested.

Matt

What are you using so much isopropal for? I got a small green bottle from the chemist and its still 1/3 full, a year down the track! You only need 10mls for each titration.

Hello Matt

You can also use metho for the titration

Ok thanks for your input it's really appreciated.

When you say I can use metho for titration - do you mean metholated spirits or methanol?? Excuse my ignorance. I'm hoping to do a test batch this weekend.

I have sourced KOH from bunnnings 500grams for $6. How do I find out what purity it is??

Also another question -

How important is it to heat the oil for the reaction. As I understand it the mix should be heated to around 55degC and no hotter than about 60degC (as the methanol boils at 64deg).

Does everyone here heat the oil for their bio reactions?

How long does the mix need to be heated and mixed before settling?

I've nearly got all the info I need to start making some batches - just need a little help from people here in the know.

Thanks again.

Hello Matt

You could use methanol, but I did mean methylated spirits because it is not poisonous
If the purity of the KOH is not on the container I would assume it is 90%
If you mean NaOH I would assume 100%
The temperature is not critical. Make sure everything remains liquid and does not boil.

For the easiest method of making your first few mini batches of biodiesel you can not beat the World Famous Dr Pepper Technique (Pat Pend)

Really helpful advice - thanks very much.

Looking forward to getting started this weekend!

Cheers.

Matt

You haven't looked in the right places mate.

Ring Peter at Kemikals in Bayswater - KOH is $44 per 25kg bag. I don't use IPA but he could sell you some of that as well for probably about $4/L

Contact Heathcote Raceway for your MeOH - $220 for a 200L drum.

Don't have phone nos handy but they're easy enough to find.