Making Biodiesel in the Classroom April Lanotte Big Sandy Schools alanotte@bigsandy100j.org What is Biodiesel? • Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil or animal fat (triglycerides) reacted with methanol or ethanol and a catalyst (lye), yielding biodiesel (fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters) and glycerin as a by-product – Fatty acid chains are removed from the chemical reaction by a catalyst (KOH), then bound with methanol, creating biodiesel. Glycerol, the remaining part of the triglyceride, is a byproduct of the reaction, which is later removed before use. Why Biodiesel? • One gallon of petroleum diesel fuel, once combusted, releases 22.384 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere. Biodiesel does not contribute extra CO2 into the atmosphere. • Biodiesel reduces particulate matter emissions by at least 55%, VOCs by 55%, and CO by 45% compared to fossil diesel. * (different sources have provided different figures—I’ve taken the lowest of the figures) • Biodiesel is lower in sulfur—reduction in SO2 in the atmosphere (which contributes to acid rain). Jet fuel: 3,000+ ppm sulfur; US off-road diesel: 500+ ppm; US regular road diesel 15-500 ppm; US ultra-low sulfur diesel: 15 ppm (2004 US Transportation Research Board report) • Biodiesel can be made from just about any kind of fat or oil. Who’s Using Biodiesel? • Airlines (Virgin Atlantic, Continental Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Japan Airlines)…Eight total US airlines that operate out of LAX have also signed a deal to use more than 1.5 million gallons of biodiesel a year for their ground vehicles starting in 2012. Biodiesel Use cont… • Commerical trucks • Personal diesel trucks, cars, SUVs • Farm equipment Home biodiesel-kit Biodiesel set-up cont… Biodiesel set-up part three… Biodiesel Lab • Materials needed: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Gloves, goggles, aprons Buret set-up and funnel (for titrations) Scale 125 ml Erlenmeyer flasks Graduated cylinders 100 ml, 250 ml beakers Half-pint jars with lids (2 per group) Weigh boats Scoop Pipets Vegetable oil (various sources, including virgin oil and used vegetable oil) 0.1 M KOH Isopropyl alcohol Phenolphthalein Bromophenol Blue Methanol 0.01 M HCl Biodiesel Lab Activities • Activity One: Feedstock Titration – Titration activity to test for free fatty acids within the feedstock sample – Used to determine amount of KOH that will be needed in biodiesel production • Activity Two: Biodiesel Production – Making biodiesel using virgin vegetable oil • Activity Three: Advanced Biodiesel Production – Making biodiesel using used vegetable oil (WVO) Biodiesel Lab Activites cont… • Activity Three: Soap Titration – Calculate the amount of soap created when making biodiesel – Less soap is better!!! (highway quality biodiesel production standards conduct 19 different tests—soap analysis is not one of them. However, soap content can affect many other fuel quality parameters) • Activity Four: Quality Control Option #2 – Methanol test—dissolving biodiesel into methanol—any remaining triglycerides won’t dissolve in methanol and will settle to bottom of the flask Activity Five: Testing Biodiesel—Comparing Heat of Combustion (biodiesel vs. diesel) -- using a set-up similar to a calorimeter, burn samples of fuel-soaked candle-wicking set under aluminum cans with water inside for 5 min.—compare mass of fuel burned and change in water temps. Activity Six: Testing Biodiesel #2—Engines --Use a small diesel-powered R/C engine to test your fuel, or make small steam-powered, diesel boat engines Activity One: Feedstock Titration • Purpose: To determine the amount of Free Fatty Acids within feedstock sample • Materials Needed: – – – – – – Gloves, goggles, aprons Buret set-up and funnel Graduated cylinder Scale Pipets Feedstock samples (used vegetable oil) – Phenolphthalein – Isopropyl alcohol – 0.1 M KOH Activity Two: Biodiesel Production from virgin vegetable oil • • • Purpose: to convert unused vegetable oil into usable fuel Materials Needed: – Gloves, goggles, aprons – Weigh boat – Scoop – 250 mL beaker – 100 mL Graduated cylinder – Virgin vegetable oil – Half-pint jars with lids – Methanol – KOH flakes SAFETY: Methanol, KOH, and the resulting methoxide are nasty chemicals. DO NOT INHALE or GET ON CLOTHING • Procedures: • 1.) Lab Partner One: In one jar, pour 30 mL of methanol and put lid on. • 2.) Lab Partner Two: Take weigh boat and metal scoop—measure out 1.05 g KOH. • 3.) Add KOH to jar of methanol. Replace lid and shake until flakes of KOH are fully dissolved. (The jar will get warm from the exothermic reaction!) Activity Two cont… • 4.) Measure 150 mL of vegetable oil into a 250 mL beaker • 5.) Add oil into the jar of dissolved KOH and methanol (methoxide) • 6.) Replace lid on jar (make sure it’s on tight!!) and place tape around seal. DO NOT INHALE! • 7.) Take turns shaking the jar vigorously for a total of 10 min. • 8.) Allow the solution to settle…you will begin to see the separation of the biodiesel and the glycerine within a minute or two (the glycerine will settle to the bottom). • YOU’VE MADE BIODIESEL! Activity Three: Soap Titration • Purpose: To test the quality of biodiesel (soap is a by-product of unreacted Free Fatty Acids and KOH) • Materials Needed: – – – – – – – Gloves, goggles, aprons Buret set-up and funnel 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask 250 mL beaker 0.01 M HCL Isopropyl alcohol 1% bromophenol blue Activity Four: Methanol Test • Purpose: Another way to test biodiesel quality (FFA will not fully dissolve in methanol) • Materials Needed: – Biodiesel sample – Methanol – 50 mL Graduated cylinder – 500 mL beaker Sources for Biodiesel Info. • http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel.html – Journey to Forever site: This is a great site with more information than any one person could use—this site has crosslinks with all sorts of other sites, and has many references for you. • http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel.html – This US Dept. of Energy site contains lots of technical information about alternative fuels, and in this section, about biodiesel • http://www.powernaturally.org/Programs/SchoolPowerNat urally/InTheClassroom/level3.asp?i=9 – School Power…Naturally site: website that includes many different alternative energy lessons, including analysis of burning fossil fuels More sources… • http://www.biodiesel.org – The National Biodiesel Board website contains many links to different biodiesel sources. • http://www.biofuels.coop/education -- Piedmont Biofuels, the original developers of Carolina Biological’s biodiesel lab, offers college-level training, explanations, etc. about biodiesel, along with industry processes and testing info. and education links and lessons. • http://www.dudadiesel.com/?affiliate_pro_tracking_id=4:1 :US – This site is a good source for purchasing biodiesel-making supplies