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The cost of collecting waste vegetable oil and cracking it with methanol and lye is thought to be about 70 - 80 cents US per gallon, if the waste oil is free, not counting the cost of energy for heating the reaction chamber. There is also the cost of a pH tester -- strips will do, and the cost of some lab glassware and the cost of the various containers and large vessels necessary. Here's a starter list for a transesterification cracker:
1 water heater or 55 gallon drum (preferably metal, stainless is great, no rust, glass lined is great with a drain) with a heat source underneath capable of heating 20-30 gallons of oil. Ideally, an oil burner would be great as one could then burn biodiesel to heat the reaction...but propane is good also. Even an electric water heater will do...
1 55 gallon drum, plastic is good, translucent or with a sight line so you can see where the fuel and glycerin have separated
Qty. X methanol or denatured ethanol or if you can manage it, or pure grain alcohol (which is pretty damn hard to get an exception for -- remember moonshine?)
Qty. X lye
Assorted tubing, clear, valves, stoppers, line crimpers, etc.
Qty 1: Aquarium bubbler or other air source (compressor) to make bubbles to wash the fuel after dra> What about the cost of collecting it and making it suitable for use? >