INTRODUCTION
One of the most common questions beginning biodieseler's have is how to perform a titration. When I first learned about Biodiesel, I was taught a really easy way to do titrations. I tried a few other methods but I keep coming back to this one because of how simple it is. It's really easy to do and makes titrating the oil really simple.

Why Do A Titration?
Titration is just a fancy word for the process used to find out how much catalyst will be needed to make biodiesel out of waste vegetable oil. The catalyst I use is called Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), also known as Caustic Potash. You can also substitute Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), also known as Lye, in place of the Potassium Hydroxide. You'll want to titrate using the same catalyst that you'll be using when you make your biodiesel.

The "nuts & bolts" of what's going on during a titration is nothing more than seeing how much of a base it's going to take to neutralize the free fatty acids in a sample of the oil you'll be using to make biodiesel. We use a PH indicator called Phenol Red or Phenolphthalien. Both of these 'indicators' are typically available at laboratory stores, pool stores, or online.

Materials Needed
1- (2) small bowls that can hold at least 50 ml of liquid
2- (3) small syringes that are metered in 1 ml increments up to 10 ml
3- (1) pint of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol
4- (1) gallon of distilled water
5- (5) grams of Potassium Hydroxide
6- Either Phenol Red or Phenolphthalien (both will work)
7- A sealable container that can hold at least 1 liter of liquid
8- A scale that can measure down to 1 gram

We now carry a complete titration kit to help you get started!

Create A Stock Testing Solution
This will create a testing solution that can be used for each titration.
1- Add 500mL of Distilled Water to the 1 liter container
2- Add 5 grams of KOH to the 1 liter container
3- Shake the solution around until all of the KOH dissolves
4- Label the container TITRATING SOLUTION

TITRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Label The Bowls
Bowl 1- Testing Solution
Bowl 2- Titration

Prepare Testing Solution Bowl
1- Add 45 mL of distilled water to Bowl #1
2- Add 5 mL of Stock Testing Solution to Bowl #1
3- Stir the contents around until they've mixed together

Prepare Titration Bowl
1- Add 4 mL of oil to titrate to Bowl #2
2- Add 40 mL of Isopropyl Alcohol to Bowl #2
3- Mix the oil & alcohol together until it's a consistent solution
(sometimes heating the bowl will help it mix together)
4- Add 4 drops of Phenol Red or Phenolphthalien to Bowl #2

The Actual Titration Process
1- Suck up 10 mL of testing solution into a syringe from Bowl #1
2- Drop a drop of testing solution into Bowl #2, watching for a color change each time
3- Hold the bowl in your hand and swirl the solution around for 30 seconds
4- If the color change goes way, add another drop of solution from the syringe
5- Repeat steps 2-4 until the color change stay's for at least 30 seconds
6- Record on a peice of paper how many mL of solution you put in Bowl #2 to keep the color change.

The Titration Calculation
1- Divide the # from step 6 above by 4 and record the result
If you're using KOH (Potassium Hydroxide) in the titration solution
-Add 7 to the result from step 1
If you're using NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) in the titration solution
-Add 5.5 to the result from step 1
2- The result will be how many grams of catalyst you'll use per liter of oil.

Example:
100 liters of oil to be converted to biodiesel
It titrated to 8
Divide by 4 = 2
If KOH, add 7 + 2 = 9 grams/liter X 100 liters = 900 Grams
If NaOH, add 5.5 + 2 = 7.5 grams/liter X 100 liters = 750 grams
Add 900 grams of KOH or 750 grams of NaOH to the methanol to make biodiesel using this oil.

Video Examples - WARNING: These Files Are BIG!!!
We took some video's of our demonstrator doing a titration using this method.
They aren't the greatest video files but they do illustrate how a titration can be done.
The files are in Quick Time Format. You can download a free player by clicking here.
Preparing The Stock Solution-Part 1 12.9 MB
Preparing The Stock Solution-Part 2 9.89 MB
Preparing The Testing Solution Bowl 32.6 MB
Preparing The Titrating Bowl & Titrating The Oil 82.5 MB
Completing The Titration 42.8 MB

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It's recommended to do a titration 3 times and record the three results. If the results are close (+/- 1), then you're set. If it's way off, you'll want to repeat the titrations ensuring that you follow the steps exactly until your results are close.

Also, only use each syringe for one purpose. For example, use one syringe for oil only, use a separate syringe for the titration solution, and another separate syringe for the alcohol. If you mix them it can cause inaccurate titrations.

For Another Great Guide On Performing A Titration
Visit Murphys Machines by Clicking Here

Online Titration Calculators
These sites offer online titration calculators to help with calculating titrations.
Extreme Biodiesel Titration Calculator One of the best online! Several options available.
Biodiesel Log Allows you to log your Biodiesel and get titration values as well.