Determination of the Heat of Combustion of Biodiesel Using Bomb Calorimetry. A Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Chemistry Experiment

Stephen M. Akers , Jeremy L. Conkle , Stephanie N. Thomas and Keith B. Rider
Department of Natural Sciences, Longwood University, Farmville, VA 23909
J. Chem. Educ., 2006, 83 (2), p 260
DOI: 10.1021/ed083p260
Publication Date (Web): February 1, 2006

Abstract

An integrated undergraduate laboratory activity involving the synthesis and characterization of a diesel fuel substitute, biodiesel, is presented. Biodiesel is currently a popular topic in the field of green chemistry because it is a non-petroleum fuel that can be efficiently produced from waste vegetable oil. As a fuel, it requires no engine modifications and results in lower pollution emissions including carcinogens and carbon dioxide. Over a three-week period, students synthesize biodiesel, measure its heat of combustion, density, and cloud point, then compare these properties to conventional petroleum diesel. Heats of combustion are measured in a common laboratory bomb calorimeter and cloud point is measured using a UV–vis spectrophotometer.

View: Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links

Tools

SciFinder Links

SciFinder subscribers: Click to sign in | Not a SciFinder subscriber? Learn more at www.cas.org

Explore by:

History

  • Received: August 03, 2009

Recommend & Share

Related Content