Making Biodiesel

People often ask me what my dream car is, and my reply has always been a Jeep. However, as an earth conscious budding scientist I have always disliked the gas guzzling aspect of Jeeps, and therefore wanted to rebuild a Jeep with my dad to run on biodiesel.

Actually learning how to make biodiesel, test multiple oils, perform toxicity assays, determine heat content, and make soap made for a jam packed experiment that was practical and engaging. Biodiesel is currently the greenest form of renewable fuels in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. On a planet where global climate change is an important issue, research and implementation of renewable fuels such as biodiesel is a great step in the right direction.

The lab included utilizing a variety of new sills including determining the heat content, which proved to be fairly tricky. The set up included a hanging soda can and crucible with burning sample below. However there was a fair amount of error from the wick burning and heat lost to the atmosphere. Other difficulties arose in the length of time it took for the biodiesel to settle in the separatory funnel.  The toxicity assay was particularly insightful even though it was fairly tedious to count and measure 600 seeds. This aspect of the experiment was important to look at the possible impacts of biodiesel waste on the organisms that might come in contact with the waste. I particularly enjoyed the fact that we used one of the byproducts of the biodiesel, glycerin, to make soap. If we are trying to reduce carbon emissions for a better earth, there is no reason that we should not also put to good use as many byproducts as possible so as to reduce waste. Although our class is going to need to find ourselves so very good marketing majors to promote our radioactive green, unique smelling, suds!