ERIC Number: EJ943648
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Sep
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
A Simple, Safe Method for Preparation of Biodiesel
Behnia, Mahin S.; Emerson, David W.; Steinberg, Spencer M.; Alwis, Rasika M.; Duenas, Josue A.; Serafino, Jessica O.
Journal of Chemical Education, v88 n9 p1290-1292 Sep 2011
An experiment suitable for organic chemistry students is described. Biodiesel, a "green" fuel, consists of methyl or ethyl esters of long-chain fatty acids called FAMES (fatty acid methyl esters) or FAEES (fatty acid ethyl esters). A quick way to make FAMES is a base-catalyzed transesterification of oils or fats derived from plants or from animal sources. This experiment utilizes a safe, convenient basic catalyst, K[subscript 2]CO[subscript 3], anhydrous methanol, and any of several sources of oil to make biodiesel in 20-25 min. Only simple apparatus is required and the product floats on the top of the byproducts. IR spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography, or relative viscosity are used to evaluate the product. (Contains 2 schemes.)
Descriptors: Organic Chemistry, Fuels, Science Experiments, Conservation (Environment), Spectroscopy, Science Instruction, College Science, Undergraduate Study
Division of Chemical Education, Inc and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A