Making Biodiesel is not difficult, but that does not mean that you can throw caution to air when it comes to actually manufacturing it. Please note that producing biodiesel does involve the usage of some dangerous chemicals. Infact, anything is dangerous, if not used properly. Hence, the precautionary steps outlined here should be taken in proper perspective. The following are the top 10 Precautions you must take before producing Biodiesel at home:
- The foremost precaution is of course to keep your kids and pets safe and away from the place where you are going to make biodiesel. Kids and pets, near such places might unnecessarily divert your attention and hence they should be better farther off from such a place.
- When it comes to your protection, think of it as your whole body protection. This means that you should be wearing proper protection in terms of aprons, gloves and eye guards. Also, since biodiesel production does involve vapor formation, you should protect yourself from inhaling any chemical vapors while mixing any chemicals. An isolated unit or a closed system can be used for this as it does not allow fumes to escape into the breathable air around you.
- As mentioned before, making biodiesels does involve working with some dangerous chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and methanol; hence, you must adhere to the physical protection outlined in the above point. Remember, methanol can cause blindness if absorbed through the eyes and sodium hydroxide or Lye can also cause severe burns if it gets splashed on your skin during chemical mixing.
- When it comes to gloves, make sure they are of high quality. Avoid certain gloves such as Latex gloves which dissolve when they come into contact with certain chemicals. Completely cover your skin as much as humanely possible cause you don’t want chemicals splashing on your skin while mixing.
- You must not wear any loose fitting dress and further no shorts or sandals. This is because you don’t want to expose much of your skin during the chemical reaction or chemical mixing.
- Always have access to running tap water when working with any chemicals. In case, some chemicals splash on your skin, apply water on the affected area as quickly as possible.
- Note that Methanol at room temperature is safer to work with and does not emit any fumes. Hence, it will be appropriate to make biodiesel at night, on a cooler day or at the very least out of direct sunlight. Also, methanol may emit fumes once it is hot and hence a self contained breathing apparatus can protect you from methanol vapors.
- You may also consider buying a biodiesel kit in order to protect yourself from methanol vapors. They are available commercially in many different prices.
- When opening the lid of chemicals, don’t open them towards your face. Chemicals can do a lot many unexpected things and it will be safer if you open them away from yourself. Also it would be safer to transfer sodium hydroxide or lye in “ziplock” baggies which can be easily sealed or resealed.
- Remember, while doing anything related to chemicals you must be prepared for the worst, even when you are taking all the above precautions. Hence, have a first aid kit ready in case something goes awry. Also, keep a fire extinguisher handy cause you never know.
