INDEX
S.NO TOPIC PAGE NO
1. INTRODUCTION 2
2. AIM 5
3. THEORY 6
4. MATERIALS 7
REQUIRED
5. PROCEDURE 8
6. OBSERVATION 10
7. RESULT 11
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY 12
INTRODUCTION
As the world faces growing concerns over climate change, energy security,
and dwindling fossil fuel reserves, the search for sustainable and cleaner
energy alternatives has become more urgent than ever. Among the many
renewable energy options available, biofuels have emerged as a promising
solution. Biofuels are fuels derived from biomass—biological materials such
as plant matter, agricultural crops, algae, and organic waste. Unlike fossil
fuels, which take millions of years to form, biofuels can be produced in a
relatively short time frame and are therefore considered renewable.
Biofuels are often classified into first-generation, second-generation,
and third-generation categories, based on the source material and the
technology used for production:
● First-generation biofuels are made from food crops like corn,
sugarcane, and soybeans. These are already widely used and include
bioethanol and biodiesel.
● Second-generation biofuels use non-food biomass such as
agricultural residues (e.g., straw, corn stover), wood chips, and
grasses, helping to avoid competition with food supply.
● Third-generation biofuels are derived from algae and other
microorganisms, offering high yield potential and lower land use
requirements.
Types of biofuel :
The two most common types of biofuels in use today are:
● Bioethanol: An alcohol produced by fermenting the sugars found in crops
like corn or sugarcane. It is commonly blended with gasoline to reduce
emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
● Biodiesel: Made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking oil
through a chemical process called transesterification. It can be used in
diesel engines and is biodegradable and non-toxic.
Uses of Biodiesel :
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel made from natural sources such as
vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease. It can be used in various
sectors and applications, often as a direct replacement or additive to petroleum
diesel.
1. Transportation
● Diesel Engines: Biodiesel can be used in most diesel
engines without modifications. It’s commonly blended
with petroleum diesel in various ratios
(e.g., B20 = 20% biodiesel, 80% diesel).
● Public Transport: Many buses, school buses, and municipal fleets use
biodiesel to lower emissions.
● Freight and Logistics: Trucks and delivery vehicles often use biodiesel
blends to reduce their carbon footprint.
2. Agricultural Machinery
● Biodiesel is widely used in agricultural machinery such as tractors,
harvesters, and irrigation pumps. Since most of these machines run on
diesel engines, biodiesel can be used directly or blended with regular diesel
(like B20) without engine modifications. It helps reduce harmful emissions
on farms, improves air quality, and promotes sustainable farming. Using
biodiesel also supports local biofuel production, which can lower fuel costs
and benefit rural economies.
3. Construction and Mining Equipment
● Biodiesel is used in bulldozers, cranes, and other heavy-duty equipment,
especially in areas aiming to reduce air pollution from construction
activities.
4. Power Generation
● Backup Generators: Biodiesel is used in
generators for hospitals, data centers, and
remote facilities.
● Off-grid Energy: Remote or rural areas
sometimes use biodiesel-powered
generators for off-grid electricity.
5. Environmental Remediation
● Due to its low toxicity and biodegradability, biodiesel can be used in clean-
up operations or as a solvent to help clean oil spills.
6. Heat oil
● Biodiesel can also be used as a heating fuel in domestic and
commercial boilers, a mix of heating oil and biofuel which is
standardized and taxed slightly differently from diesel fuel used for
transportation. Bioheat fuel is a proprietary blend of biodiesel and
traditional heating oil
AIM
To produce biodiesel from vegetable oil using transesterification and evaluate its
physical properties and efficiency compared to conventional diesel.
THEORY
Biodiesel is an eco-friendly, renewable, and biodegradable fuel that serves as an
alternative to conventional petroleum-based diesel. It is produced through a
chemical process known as transesterification, which involves the conversion of
triglycerides (the main components of vegetable oils and animal fats) into methyl
esters (biodiesel) in the presence of an alcohol (commonly methanol) and a catalyst
(such as sodium hydroxide – NaOH or potassium hydroxide – KOH).
Vegetable oils are composed mainly of triglycerides, which are esters derived from
glycerol and three fatty acid chains. These triglycerides are too viscous to be used
directly as a fuel in diesel engines. Therefore, a transesterification reaction is
carried out to break them down into less viscous molecules.
In this reaction, one molecule of triglyceride reacts with three molecules of
methanol, producing three molecules of methyl ester (biodiesel) and one molecule
of glycerol (a thick, heavy liquid which separates from biodiesel due to its higher
density). The catalyst helps speed up the reaction and facilitates the breaking of
chemical bonds
MATERIALS
REQUIRED
Apparatus:
● Conical flask or beaker – for mixing chemicals
● Measuring cylinder – for measuring liquids (oil, methanol, water)
● Glass stirring rod or magnetic stirrer with hot plate – for continuous stirring
● Hot plate or water bath – to heat the oil safely
● Thermometer – to monitor the reaction temperature
● Separating funnel – to separate biodiesel from glycerol
● Filter funnel and filter paper – for optional filtration
● Plastic or glass containers – to store the final biodiesel and byproducts
● Protective gear – gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat for safety
● Weighing balance – to accurately weigh NaOH or KOH
Chemicals:
● Vegetable Oil (e.g., sunflower oil, soybean oil, or used cooking oil) – 1 liter
● Methanol (CH₃OH) – approximately 200 mL
● Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) or Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) – about 3.5 grams
(used as a catalyst)
● Distilled Water – for washing the biodiesel (optional but recommended)
PROCEDURE
1000 ml of
Preparation of Catalyst Solution:
● Weigh about 3.5 grams of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide
(KOH).
● Add it to 200 mL of methanol in a beaker.
● Stir the mixture well until the catalyst completely dissolves. This forms a
methoxide solution.
Heating the Vegetable Oil:
● Measure 1 liter of vegetable oil (fresh or used).
● Heat the oil in a beaker using a hot plate or water bath to a temperature of
around 50–60°C.
● Do not overheat or allow it to boil.
Mixing the Catalyst Solution with Oil:
● Slowly pour the methoxide solution into the heated oil while continuously
stirring.
● Use a magnetic stirrer or glass rod to stir the mixture uniformly.
● Continue stirring the mixture for 30 to 60 minutes while maintaining the
temperature between 50–60°C.
Settling and Separation:
After the reaction is complete, pour the mixture into a separating funnel.
Allow it to sit undisturbed for 8 to 12 hours (or overnight).
Two distinct layers will form:
● Top layer: Biodiesel (methyl esters)
● Bottom layer: Glycerol (byproduct)
Collection of Products:
● Open the separating funnel to drain the bottom layer (glycerol) into a
separate container.
● Carefully collect the top layer (biodiesel) into another clean container.
Washing the Biodiesel (Optional but recommended):
● Gently wash the biodiesel by adding warm distilled water and shaking
lightly.
● Allow it to settle, and then drain the water layer (which contains impurities).
● Repeat this washing process 2–3 times until the water runs clear.
Drying the Biodiesel:
● Heat the biodiesel gently to remove any remaining moisture.
● Let it cool and store it in a clean, dry container for testing or use.
Chemical Reaction Equation:
OBSERVATION
After the transesterification reaction and settling process, two distinct layers are
observed in the separating funnel.
● The upper layer is a clear, yellowish liquid — biodiesel (methyl esters).
● The lower layer is a darker, thicker liquid — glycerol, a byproduct of the
reaction.
The biodiesel layer is less dense and floats on top of the glycerol.
Upon washing, the biodiesel becomes clearer, indicating the removal of impurities
and unreacted materials.
After drying, the final biodiesel is transparent, light yellow, and has lower viscosity
than raw vegetable oil.
RESULT
● Initial quantity of vegetable oil used: 1000 mL (1 liter)
● Methanol added: 200 mL
● Catalyst used (NaOH): 3.5 grams
● Reaction time: Approximately 90 minutes
● Settling time: 12 hours
After the reaction and separation:
● Volume of biodiesel obtained: ~850 mL
● Volume of glycerol obtained: ~150 mL
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:720756/FULLTEXT01.pdf
http://www.chymist.com/Synthesis%20of%20Biodiesel.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel
https://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/02-03/biofuels/what_biodiesel.htm
https://www.britannica.com/technology/biodiesel
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel-basics#:~:text=Biodiesel%20is%20a
%20renewable%2C%20biodegradable,of%20the%20Renewable%20Fuel
%20Standard.
https://education.alberta.ca/media/1626652/16_sci30-pj_biodiesel-student.pdf
