The Synthesis And Characterization Of Biodiesel Fuels

Introduction North America consumes one third of the world’s energy supply which mainly comes from fossil fuels. Over time, people’s dependency on fossil fuels has become a problem. Fossil fuels are essentially limited in supply so people can’t depend on them for all of their energy needs. They also have a negative environmental effect on our world: global warming, acid rain, air pollution, etc. (U.S. Fossil Fuel Dependency). One way to solve this problem is by encouraging the use of biodiesel fuels. Biodiesel fuel synthesis has been known of for a while but is just now gaining more attention. The production and use of biodiesel fuels has the potential to reduce the negative environmental impact that fossil fuels have and reduce the dependency of foreign fuels (Biofuels Basics). This experiment focused on the synthesis and characterization of biodiesel fuels. Experiment The first part of the experiment was to prepare the biodiesel fuel. Each group was given a different oil to synthesize. Students measured their oil into a beaker and placed it on a hot plate with a stir bar. When the oil reached 50â„Æ', a mixture of 0.5mL of 9MNaOH and 10 mL of methanol were added to it. After 20 more minutes of stirring the oil, students fill centrifuge tubes with the biodiesel mixture and place them in the centrifuge. Students then transfer the top biodiesel layer into a small beaker using a Pasteur pipet. After creating the biodiesel, students now had to test the viscosity, effects ofShow MoreRelatedAn Experiment on the Synthesis and Characterization of Biodiesel Fuel820 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction In this experiment, the focus will be the synthesis and characterization of biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel seems to have become the substitute for fossil fuel. It can also be an alternative for the petroleum-based biodiesel. By having renewable resources such as corn, soybeans, peanuts and other makes biodiesel a viable option. Using these resources wouldn’t help alleviate the problems with fossil fuel in the US. Biodiesel is produced from the transesterification reaction of vegetableRead MoreThe Internal Combustion Engine5941 Words   |  24 Pagescenturies ago, humans have become increasingly reliant on fuel to power these engines. Our only method, historically, for obtaining this fuel is to probe the earth and oceans until crude oil is struck. Crude oil is termed a fossil fuel as it takes hundreds of millions of years to form. Crude oil is extracted from a geological reservoir and subsequently refined into the various fuels which we use at ever increasing rates (petroleum, d iesel, aviation fuel etc). Unfortunately we are not finding new oil depositsRead MoreDried Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) Leaves in Ethanol Production6983 Words   |  28 PagesHazel Jane Muriel C. March 2012 CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND We all know that ethanol or ethyl alcohol has a very good contribution to our life. Ethyl alcohol is an important industrial chemical. It is used as a solvent, in the synthesis of other organic chemicals, and as an additive to automotive gasoline (forming a mixture known as a gasohol). Ethyl alcohol is also the intoxicating ingredient of many alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits (Britannica Encyclopedia)