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How to optimise the given method for producing and testing the ‘best’…
How to optimise the given method for producing and testing the ‘best’ biodiesel?
What is a biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from
vegetable oils or animal fats. It is a non-petroleum
based diesel fuel, made up of methyl or ethyl esters
of fatty acids found in vegetable oils.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/-/media/faculties/science/docs/what-is-biodiesel.pdf
They are most commonly used in diesel engines (as petroleum diesel fuel)
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biofuels/biodiesel-rd-other-basics.php
Factors affecting the production of the 'best biodiesel'
Reagents
KOH Catalyst: Amount and purity of potassium hydroxide.
Alcohol: Methanol or ethanol quantity and quality.
Oil: Type and quality of oil or fat used.
Reaction conditions
Temperature: Optimal temperature for transesterification (typically 60-65°C).
Mixing Time: Duration and method of mixing reagents.
Pressure: Effects of atmospheric vs. pressurized conditions.
How to test the 'best' biodiesel
How efficiently it can be used in a motor engine
which one produces the greatest heat (highest enthalpy value of combustion - The higher the enthalpy of combustion, the more energy a fuel can provide when burnt)
A motor engine requires the use of petroleum because petroleum is containing hydrocarbons which are essential for the function of a motor engine. Hydrocarbon when burnt in air splits the molecules in a combustion reaction. The carbon and hydrogen react and combine with the oxygen present in air to form carbon-dioxide gas and water. The energy that was holding containing the molecule together is transferred into heat which is used for the induction of the motor
Oxidative stability
The iodine value is a value of the amount of iodine, measured in grams, absorbed by 100 g of a given oil. The iodine value is a measure of the unsaturation of fats and oils. Higher iodine value indicates higher unsaturation of fats and oils (Knothe, 2002). It is also commonly used as a measure of the chemical stability properties of different biodiesel fuels against such oxidation as described above. The Iodine value is determined by measuring the number of double bonds in the mixture of fatty acid chains in the fuel by introducing iodine into 100 g of the sample under test and measuring how many grams of that iodine are absorbed. Iodine absorption occurs at double bond positions - thus a higher IV number indicates a higher quantity of double bonds in the sample, greater potential to polymerise and hence lesser stability.
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=tasr.2011.537.553
Types of biodiesels
How is biodiesel made
Biodiesel is produced by mixing the feedstock oil, with methyl or ethyl alcohol, and a lye catalyst (sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide). This process - known as
transesterification
- breaks the glycerin from the fatty acid molecules of the feedstock oil and then each fatty acid molecule attaches itself to an alcohol molecule.
What does optimise mean?
Efficiency
Reduce time needed to complete the reaction.
Maximize the amount of biodiesel produced per unit of oil.
Cost-effectiveness
Use less expensive raw materials and catalysts.
Minimise energy consumption during production.
Sustainability
Utilise renewable and sustainable feedstocks.
Minimize waste byproducts and improve recycling.
Consistency
Ensure the method produces consistent results across multiple batches.