Biodiesel Safety

Making Biodiesel Safety

Making Biodiesel at home can be a very rewarding experience. Let’s just make sure you keep yourself safe while doing it.

First of all you should not attempt to make homemade biodiesel unless you are wearing:

• Proper protective gloves
• An apron
• Eye protection

Keep in mind that making  biodiesel involves the use of several potentially very hazardous chemicals.

One of them is Methanol. Methanol can be absorbed rapidly through the skin and can cause blindness and even death.

Sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns and death as well.

If these two chemicals are mixed during biodiesel production they can form sodium methoxide. This is an extremely caustic chemical that can cause a fatality if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

After reading the above, you can see why it is so important that high quality protective gloves should be worn during the biodiesel making process. Make sure they are chemical and fire proof. Avoid using latex gloves that can dissolve if they come into contact with certain chemicals.

Cover as much of your skin as possible when making biodiesel.

It is also advisable to wear a shirt or lab coat with cuffs for further protection while creating homemade biodiesel.

Don’t wear shorts or sandals in case any of the chemicals splash on your skin. Always have running water handy when working with methanol and sodium hydroxide to rinse out of eyes or exposed areas.

Before making biodiesel at home make sure your workspace is generously and thoroughly ventilated to allow fumes to escape. Keep in mind that vapor cartridge respirators are not effective against methanol fumes.

No children, pets or individuals with asthma or breathing problems should be allowed near filtering drums or be allowed to be present during the making of homemade biodiesel. Only a supplied-air system will do (SCBA — Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) can protect you from methanol vapors.

WARNING: methanol does not emit fumes unless it is hot. When it is at room temperature it does not emit many fumes and is safer to work with.

That is why it is best to make homemade biodiesel on a cooler day.

Remember to keep all chemical containers at arm’s length when opening the lid. Chemicals can expand, explode and splash. The safest way to transfer substances such as lye is by using plastic baggies which are sealed. 

Even the most conscientious of amateur biodiesel producers is vulnerable to sudden splashes or spillages.

That is why it is so important for you to have an emergency plan for getting medical help in case your homemade biodiesel production goes awry.