Bio Diesel

By:
Sara Heines
Group:
Kim Kozloff, Sam Wardell, Logan Owen, Katie Yeacker, and
Andrew Keating
STEM Chemistry (3rd hour)
3/25/15

Problem:
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source, replacing diesel. Diesel does not produce a clean
emission. It is very harmful to the environment. Biodiesel is being created to help save the
environment in which we live. Biodiesel can be made with many different vegetable oils and
burns cleanly. Michigan State University had a competition to see who could make the best
batch of biodiesel. We had to produce a biodiesel from an oil of our choosing and compare its
properties to that of other fuels.
Materials:

250 mL Beaker
50 mL Beaker
100 mL Beaker
Graduated Cylinder
Magnetic Stir Bar
Heating and Stirring Plate
Thermometer (-20C to 100C)
Parafilm

Chemicals:
0.4M solution of NaOH in methanol
Soybean or other vegetable oil
Procedure:
Day 1:
*Warning* Water and vegetable oil react to form a fatty acid product that we do not want. Use all
CLEAN and DRY glassware for this experiment.

1. Obtain 40 mL of the vegetable oil of your choosing

2. Put the oil in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask
3. Set it on the hot plate
4. Turn on the heat
5. Heat the oil to 40C-50C (Do NOT go over 50C!!)
6. Once hot enough, turn off heat
7. Add 10 mL of the 0.4 NaOH in methanol solution to the oil
8. Place on the hot plate (Do NOT turn the heat back on!)
9. Stir the reaction for 45 minutes
10. Stop the stirring and transfer the mixture into a 50 mL beaker
11. Once the mixture is cooled, cover the beaker with parafilm
12. Label with your name
13. Store the mixture for a few days, allowing for the layers to separate
Day 2:

*Two layers should be distinctly visible*

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Compare the densities of each layer to identify the biodiesel.

Determine the amount of biodiesel in mL.
Transfer biodiesel to a 100mL beaker.
Dry it by heating to 80C
Stir for 20 minutes
Must be done in a fume hood!
Measure the volume of your final biodiesel.
Record in notebook.