Alcohols (Methyl -, Ethyl -, Isopropyl - Alcohol and Propylene Glycol) ... The purpose of these experiments was examine the different methods of synthesizing ...
Running head: BIODIESEL
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The Synthesis of Biodiesel with Various Oils and Fats (Vegetable (Pure and Used) and Animal) and Alcohols (Methyl -, Ethyl -, Isopropyl - Alcohol and Propylene Glycol) Jonathan Riddle and William Frank 2008 Revised March 2017
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The Synthesis of Biodiesel with Various Oils and Fats (Vegetable (Pure and Used) and Animal) and Alcohols (Methyl -, Ethyl -, Isopropyl - Alcohol and Propylene Glycol) Introduction The purpose of these experiments was examine the different methods of synthesizing biodiesel using various types of alcohols while looking at the effectiveness of using animal fats. Biodiesel is produced through a chemical reaction utilizing plant and animal based oils and fats [1]. A common reaction typically used in producing biodiesel involves a transesterification reaction which reacts triglycerides with methanol using sodium hydroxide as a catalyst to produce fatty acid methyl esters along with glycerin [2]. The first set of experiment was to examine animal fat in the production of biodiesel. The concern in producing biodiesel would be that it would congeal at colder temperatures [3] and considering that animal fats are saturated and semisolid at room temperature [4] a deeper examination should be taken. This paper also takes a look at the esterification of fatty acids with isopropyl alcohol, and propylene glycol as a less expensive method of producing biodiesel. Materials Canola oil Animal fat (Duck and pork) Used restaurant grease (Chinese restaurant grease) Used restaurant grease (Soybean oil) HEET (methyl alcohol) Denatured alcohol (ethyl alcohol) 99% isopropyl alcohol Propylene glycol
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100% sodium hydroxide Plastic containers Glass container Procedure Seven experiments were conducted the first four experiments examined how different fats, vegetable oils and animal fats would react into producing biodiesel. While the last three compared the reaction of isopropyl alcohol and propylene glycol in the production of biodiesel. Canola oil (59.1 ml) was reacted with methyl alcohol (59.1 ml) (Reaction 1.), and denatured alcohol (59.1 ml) (Reaction 2.) along with sodium hydroxide (0.61 ml) as a catalyst into clear plastic containers. The animal fat (236.6 ml) was mixed with methyl alcohol (236.6 ml) along with sodium hydroxide (0.61 ml) in a glass container (Reaction 3.). The sodium hydroxide precipitated into bottom of glass. The reaction caused the plastic containers to melt and leak. In order to save materials, decided to mix (Reaction 1.) and (Reaction 2.) in a glass container. And then pour (Reaction 3.) into a plastic container. Placed outside to cool. Then decided to bring them back inside to prevent possible delay in reactions. Separation occurred for (Reaction 1.) and (Reaction 2.) mixture. (Reaction 3.) took longer and was poured back into glass container and covered. The biodiesel produced from (Reaction 1.) and (Reaction 2.) mixture and (Reaction 3.) were placed into a freeze to test for changes in viscosity. After 3 hours (Reaction 1.) and (Reaction 2.) mixture remained unchanged, however (Reaction 3.) viscosity changes were noted and became thicker. A sample of canola oil was placed into the freeze as a control. (Reaction 3.) was heated in a microwave. 59.1 ml of (Reaction 3.) was mixed with 59.1 denatured alcohol and 1.2 ml of sodium hydroxide to produce a thinner biodiesel. After reacting placed back to freezer. The sample of canola oil after 4.5 hours had not thickened, while (Reaction 1.) and (Reaction 2.) mixtures started to congeal.
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(Reaction 4.) the unfiltered restaurant grease was liquefied in a microwave, and 473 ml of unfiltered restaurant grease was mixed with 236.6 ml of denatured alcohol along with 2.5 ml of sodium hydroxide into a 946.4 ml glass container. The biodiesel was pour into a separate container. For (Reaction 5.) used restaurant grease (soybean oil) was poured into a metal pot, and heated on a Hercules electric hot plate set to #5. Then 4.7 l of used soybean oil was mixed with 0.473 l of 99% isopropyl with 0.0049 l of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst in a 5 gallon plastic bucket (some paint residue remained). Mixed vigorously with isopropyl with sodium hydroxide to dissolve, a thick pinkish crust formed on top after pour oil. Oil was heated to 115.5 C and lowered to 60 C. With (Reaction 6.) a second mixture of 3.8 l of used soybean oil was added to isopropyl, but it was not heated, and there was no clear line of separation, may be due to the temperature outside (60 C), and so was brought inside. The catalyst and reactants produced glycerin on top and dispersed. For (Reaction 7.) using a .77 l container mixed 0.154 l of propylene glycol and 0.62 l of used soybean oil with 0.0049 l of sodium hydroxide in a 15.24 cm container. Mixed vigorously. A pink layer of propylene glycol at bottom, a second layer 2.2 cm thick, cloudy, opaque, and light brown in color (this layer reacting faster than ethanol and methanol). A 3.2 cm layer of propylene glycol was noted mixed with a precipitate (possibly the sodium hydroxide). Mixed vigorously again, turned oil to light brown, some gas produced on the top. Separate layers were produced: the top layer (9.20 cm) was light brown and slightly opaque, middle layer (1.95 cm) cream colored, and opaque, and bottom layer (2.93 cm) slightly translucent with sodium hydroxide on bottom. Combustion Test The biodiesels were tested in a diesel engine of a Mercedes Benz. The biodiesels were able to be burned in the engine, it was noted that some granules of sodium hydroxide were noted in the fuel
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filter which was preventing the fuel from flowing. It was suggested that acetic acid should be used to remove any remaining catalyst in the mixture.
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References [1] Hess, S.M. “How biodiesel works,” http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/biodiesel.htm, accessed Mar. 2017. [2] Katz, D.A. “The Synthesis of Biodiesel from Vegetable Oil,” chymist.com, 2017. http://www.chymist.com/Synthesis%20of%20Biodiesel.pdf, accessed Mar. 2017. [3] National Biodiesel Board. (2017). “Cold weather guide,” http://biodiesel.org/using-biodiesel/handling-use/cold-weather-guide, accessed 2017 [4] “Saturated fats,” In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturated_fat, accessed Mar. 2017.
