Biodiesel Heat of Combustion and Energy Efficiency

Laboratory Procedures (PDF)

Author Contact: douskey@berkeley.edu

Summary

This experiment has students analyze the efficiency and heat of combustion of biodiesel they created themselves. It gives students a hands on approach to the alternative fuel push and allows them to evaluate their own biodiesel against other standards.

It is a more fun way for students to learn about bond dissociation energies and Delta H of formation values than by burning random solutions alone. Using a simple coffee cup calorimetry method, biodiesel they produced themselves can be evaluated against ethanol. Students learn about heat capacities and calorimetry in the process.

This is part 3 of a 3-experiment series designed to teach students about biodiesel synthesis, toxicity, and efficiency.

Summary prepared March 2012 by Swetha Akella at the UC Berkeley.

Category Descriptors

Chemistry Concepts

• Biofuels
• Boiling Points (Physical Properties of Matter)
• Heating and Cooling Methods (Measurement/Analysis)

Laboratory Techniques

• Assembly of Reaction Apparatus
• Calorimetry/Thermochemistry

Green Chemistry Principles

• Analyze in Real-Time to Prevent Pollution
• Design Less Hazardous Chemical Syntheses
• Design Safer Chemicals and Products
• Increase Energy Efficiency
• Use Renewable Feedstocks

Chemistry Subdiscipline

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Chemistry

Target Audience

• Colleges/Universities

Source

• Original Contributions - unpublished