Biodiesel Science

memphis_sucks asked:


Please let me know some sites where I can learn how to turn my diesel bus into a biodiesel bus.
thanks!

Anna asked:


Biodiesel fuel has been gaining attention as a worthy alternative to petroleum fuel, for some time now. But the actual procedure in processing the biodiesel can be risky, as it can considerably damage your engine (or any machinery that is associated with the biodiesel usage) unless proper filtering takes place.

This is the primary role of biodiesel filters. They work by keeping any harmful elements in the filter while the good elements pass through. The end result should be a clean and efficient product that can be used as fuel without any risks, though the result depends on the micron rating of the filter.

Properties of a Good Biodiesel Filter

Any contaminants that can be found in the biodiesel fuels must be filtered out completely, in order for the engines or machines to run like they do with traditional fuel. Although different filters are used in different occasions, all of the following properties should be present in any biodiesel filter, to warrant multiple applications and good efficiency.

A biodiesel filter should have a good resistance to high-temperature liquids, such as hot oils and resins.

It should be efficient in filtering any harmful contaminants that may degrade the quality of the byproduct, and should be well-constructed to withstand any harmful chemicals such as acids, alkaline solutions, and solvents.

To ensure that the biodiesel filter that you are going to use has the above properties, understand what the filter is made up of, and research the properties of each material to see if it can handle high temperatures and destructive chemicals. A filter with a micron rating of 5 is the best, when it comes to excellent filtering.

Advantages of Using Biodiesel Filters

Some people believe that biodiesel filtering is an unnecessary step which can be replaced by simply using petroleum fuels directly, to make the process easier. However, biodiesel filters are easy to acquire, and many do-it-yourself shops sell the required materials necessary in making one.

If biodiesel fuels are properly filtered, there is a lesser chance of their byproduct harming the machines, than in the case of polluting petroleum-based fuel. This is because biodiesel has better lubricating properties, which are needed to prolong the life of any conventional diesel engines.

Disadvantages of Using Biodiesel Filters

It may take some time to get used to the filtering process. Any minor mistakes made, such as getting the wrong filter or improperly filtering out the harmful contaminants, can pose as a risk for your engine. This can be avoided by taking note of the properties a high-quality biodiesel filter has, as listed above.

Biodiesel is the only fuel that can run in regular diesel engines, and is considered non-toxic even before it is filtered. Override the disadvantages of biodiesel by using good filtering products, and you will get a clean product that is far more potent in running your engine.

Maddy asked:


We did a lab in chemistry where we made our own biodiesel. I know that glycerin is more dense than the biodesiel but for the question above is there anything else i can add to that? Thanks!

Charle’s asked:


Biodesel reqiures land to be cultivate, that means it will occupy the area of agricultural farms which is not possible, since we need more food to feed our growing population. so the other option is to clear forest area to cultivate these plants, it is not wise to go for biodiesel at the cost of forest area. also, the number of vehicle is increasing day by day that means the emmission of pollutant will increase. it is better to go for renewable source of energy than the biodiesel.

Joseph Long asked:


On August 10 1893, an engine running on Biodiesel ran for the first time. This is why this day has been declared as “International Biodiesel day”. This model was proposed by Rudolf Diesel. The transesterified oil that was used as source for the first run was Peanut oil. Biodiesel is a liquid produced form materials or biological origin unlike petrodiesel made from fossil fuel. Known previously as American Society for Testing and Materials, the ATSM has certified Biodiesel as confirming to the ATSM D 6751 standards.



The sources of biodiesel can be divided into:

1) Lipid accumulation in plants and algae

2) Hydrocarbons produced in algae or plants.

The lipid sources can be sunflower, linseed, Jatropha, safflower, peanut, rapeseed, olive seeds etc. These lipids have high energy value but are highly viscous. Hence they cannot be easily injected in the engine combustion chambers. This limitation is suggested to be solved by a process called pyrolysis or blending with solvents, emulsification with addition of water or fuels etc, but none proved fit. It was later decided that synthesizing esters of fatty acid was the solution to the viscosity problem. But production from edible oils commands a high price even in developed countries. Hence non-edible oils are the fresh sources for biodiesel. E.g.: Jatropha. These are now cultivated in large areas and researched for biodiesel production.

Certain algae accumulate large (about 60%) of Lipids in their cells when grown in a nutritionally suffucient medium. This property can be exploited to produce large amounts of lipids. Some freshwater algae and plants also store hydrocarbons (made of hydrogen and carbon atoms). E.g. in Botryococcus braunii, 75% of biomass is made of hydrocarbons. Other brown, red and green algae consist of varying amounts of Lipid content. USA, Austria, France, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Malaysia, Italy & other Asian countries have realized the benefits of Biodiesel. These countries are now competing in research on Biodiesel and its production.

The basic chemistry of biodiesel synthesis lies in transesterification process, where an ethyl ester reacts with methanol to form methyl ester and ethanol. Glycerol is a by - product developed in the process which ahs other industrial applications. Methyl esters are favoured for biodiesel production because of the cetane number.

Cetane number is a dimensionless value assigned to indicate the ignition quality of a liquid. This value is high, in case of long unbranched alkanes which are similar long chained compounds. High cetane numbers are related to compound that have low idle noise and easy starting even in cold weather. Though Biodiesel holds much promise for the future, its list of cons includes its properties as being a solvent, able to take up water from the atmosphere etc and sometimes providing reduced power in engines.

Many have patented the process of producing Biodiesel and one such patent is owned by DuPont and Colgate-Palmolove-Peet, and also by CLRI (India). Biodiesel is available nationwide. It can be purchased from the legalized biodiesel distributors, producers and marketers, or even at a public pump throughout any nation. Biodiesel does have its cons, however the pros outweigh them. From the looks of it, biodiesel is going to have a bright future ahead of us.