NORWAY – Looking to create an alternative fuel source for your tractor, truck or diesel-engine car? Hint No. 1: “It helps to have a friend to discuss ideas, motivate you and get over the despair when things go wrong.”
That was the advice Tom Stocker gave at the beginning of a presentation on biodiesel and vegetable oil fuel at the Norway Memorial Library on Tuesday night. Stocker was joined by friend and partner Don McLean, as they spoke to a group of about 25 people interested in learning more about these fuel alternatives.
McLean’s interest in the topic began years ago, when he said he became “frustrated by the amount of precious petroleum” his car was burning in traveling to work.
One day he challenged his friend to see if they could make an alternative fuel themselves.
“As a science teacher, I’m naturally curious,” said Stocker, who decided to research the subject on the Internet. Satisfied that the endeavor was worth a try, Stocker and McLean made their first batch in a blender. Now a batch means turning 300 gallons of vegetable oil into biodiesel in their makeshift factory in Stocker’s barn.
The process is a potentially dangerous one, and the learning curve is steep, according to the pair. But with some research and the proper precautions, anyone can make biodiesel. The fuel is made from mixing vegetable oil with sodium methoxide, a combination of methanol and lye. The chemical reaction resulting from this mixture is the point in the process that presents the greatest potential for harm.
McLean and Stocker emphasized the importance of using protective gear and taking other precautions.
When asked about gathering supplies, they recommended using waste vegetable oil from restaurants and country stores. When an audience member asked if it would be possible to produce one’s own oil through sustainable farming, McLean replied that while any vegetable oil can be used, waste oil is preferred, since the energy, land and resources required to produce the oil could be more efficiently used to make food.
Stocker explained that they gather the oil from local storeowners and stockpile it all winter.
Before use, the oil must be filtered. “You never know what’s in there: French fries, chicken, anything,” McLean said.
After the oil is heated to a certain point, it’s filtered through many layers of pantyhose, then mixed with the sodium methoxide. This is where the chemical reaction occurs, “and it’s a pretty nervous 15 minutes,” said Stocker.
In addition to biodiesel, vegetable oil also was discussed as a potential fuel source, its benefits being greater ease and safety in processing, and the elimination of any toxic element. However, McLean says it has decreased viscosity in colder weather, an important factor for Mainers.
When asked why they do this, McLean said greater fuel efficiency and cleaner air. Stocker explained that they “want to get people thinking.” And when pressed further, McLean said, “My sole motivation is so that we don’t have to kill people for oil anymore.”
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