Tuesday, May 24, 2011
THE BUS STARTED!!!
Everyone met in front of the school, and we could not wait to see the bus start. Workers from the bus transportation commission poured the fuel in, and the last half was poured in by Hannah and Tai. We took a couple pics and headed inside because of the lockdown. We had icecream to celebrate our hard work! All in all it was a fun and great experience that I will never forget.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
May 16th and May 17th
Yesterday, we researched about about washing the fuel. I found out that washing the fuel was time consuming and takes away some of the properties of the bio diesel.
Today, we dumped out the usable bio diesel into a beaker, and the rest into the sludge bucket. Then we started a new batch by measuring a liter of used vegetable oil, and pouring that into the bottle. Then I measured out 12 grams of sodium hydroxide and dissolved it into the methanol; creating the methoxide. The methoxide was then added to the waste vegetable to separate out the fat and glycerin in the bio diesel.
The fuel is being refined further and further so that it can be used efficiently in a bus engine. We are getting closer and we can test this by running the fuel in a test engine. Then we can run tests on the engine, and preform various test and check the fuel lines for blockage.
Today, we dumped out the usable bio diesel into a beaker, and the rest into the sludge bucket. Then we started a new batch by measuring a liter of used vegetable oil, and pouring that into the bottle. Then I measured out 12 grams of sodium hydroxide and dissolved it into the methanol; creating the methoxide. The methoxide was then added to the waste vegetable to separate out the fat and glycerin in the bio diesel.
The fuel is being refined further and further so that it can be used efficiently in a bus engine. We are getting closer and we can test this by running the fuel in a test engine. Then we can run tests on the engine, and preform various test and check the fuel lines for blockage.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
May 12th, 2011
Today in class we finished cleaning the bottles by getting rid of any remaining sludge (glycerin, and fat), and pouring the usable bio diesel back into the bottle. We did this in a groups of two. One person squeezed the sludge out while the other person would wait until all the gunk came out. Then the bottle would have only bio diesel in it. The bottle was then put right side up on the counter.
What is a catalyst? A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without changing its properties. The catalyst we used was Sodium Hydroxide.
What is a catalyst? A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without changing its properties. The catalyst we used was Sodium Hydroxide.
Friday, May 13, 2011
May 11th, 2011
Today in class we finished mixing our bio diesel. We first put on all the safety gear because we are working with chemicals that are harmful to the skin. I measured the 12 grams of sodium hydroxide. That dissolved into the methanol creates methoxide.
We used the following materials: 12 grams sodium hydroxide, 250mL methanol, and 1L used cooking oil. Today was successful, and we accomplished a lot. The dissolving the hydroxide was time consuming though.
The process for creating the bio diesel was: First, we poured the wvo into the 2 liter bottles. After 12 grams of sodium hydroxide was measured it was poured in with the methanol to create the methoxide. The pellets of sodium hydroxide had to be dissolved into the methanol. That took about 20 minutes. Next, the methoxide was poured into the wvo. Then we inverted the bottle 8 times, and put the bottle upside down in a beaker. After completion I learned the basic make up of bio diesel. Bio diesel is made up vegetable oil turned into fuel by the process of transesterification leaving bio diesel and glycerin. A methoxide needs to be created to separate the two. A methoxide can be created from methanol and sodium hydroxide.
We used the following materials: 12 grams sodium hydroxide, 250mL methanol, and 1L used cooking oil. Today was successful, and we accomplished a lot. The dissolving the hydroxide was time consuming though.
The process for creating the bio diesel was: First, we poured the wvo into the 2 liter bottles. After 12 grams of sodium hydroxide was measured it was poured in with the methanol to create the methoxide. The pellets of sodium hydroxide had to be dissolved into the methanol. That took about 20 minutes. Next, the methoxide was poured into the wvo. Then we inverted the bottle 8 times, and put the bottle upside down in a beaker. After completion I learned the basic make up of bio diesel. Bio diesel is made up vegetable oil turned into fuel by the process of transesterification leaving bio diesel and glycerin. A methoxide needs to be created to separate the two. A methoxide can be created from methanol and sodium hydroxide.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Diagram of Diesel Engine
The diesel engine efficiently converts chemical energy into mechanical energy more so than a regular gasoline engine. This is because the compression concentrates the air in the cylinder. Diesel fuel reacts more with the oxygen because of the concentration. The concentration means improved efficiency. Explosions in the cylinders happen after the air is injected and then fuel is ignited because of the heated compressed air.
The diesel engine has a four stroke combustion cycle:
- Intake stroke: Intake valve opens, letting air in and moving the piston down
- Compression stroke: The piston come back up and compresses the air
- Combustion stroke: While the piston reaches the top fuel is injected and ignited making the piston go down.
- Exhaust stroke: The piston moves up pushing the exhaust out of the exhaust valve.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
May 5th, 2011
Today, we worked on filtering the oil and heated up the oil separated from the water.
What worked
Oil was separated from the oil and rose to the top. Impurities that were left in the oil were evaporated while heating in the pot.
What didn't work
The heated oil from the 1st time wasn't fully separated and was wasted.
Tomorrow
I think we should let the clean oil set and pour out anymore thats water.
What worked
Oil was separated from the oil and rose to the top. Impurities that were left in the oil were evaporated while heating in the pot.
What didn't work
The heated oil from the 1st time wasn't fully separated and was wasted.
Tomorrow
I think we should let the clean oil set and pour out anymore thats water.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May 4th, 2011
Today in class we filtered the vegetable oil using paint strainers into buckets. We did that more than once. We also heated up the clean oil on hot plates to remove water. However, when it came time to transfer the beakers to the back corner; the beaker slipped and broke. It would probably be a lot better to an ove glove to transfer the beakers safely because you can get a better grip on the slippery beakers.
What worked
The oil was a lot cleaner than before because of the filtering. I think we should wait after the oil is heated up to let the denser substances settle (water). Then we can try to separate them and filter again.
Tomorrow I think we should skim and check how clean the beakers are with clean oil. If the oil has other substances the bio diesel won't turn out right and could also clog fuel lines.
What worked
The oil was a lot cleaner than before because of the filtering. I think we should wait after the oil is heated up to let the denser substances settle (water). Then we can try to separate them and filter again.
Tomorrow I think we should skim and check how clean the beakers are with clean oil. If the oil has other substances the bio diesel won't turn out right and could also clog fuel lines.
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