Refinement of Production Grade Bio-diesel
Abstract
The modified Burton method for the thermal hydrogen-cracking of peanut oil has been investigated in McGill Research Group since 2009. The successful and reliable production of biodiesel has been achieved since 2014. A hydrocarbon with viscosity similar to Production Grade Diesel (PGD) will work in modern diesel engines. The starting material has a viscosity significantly higher than PGD. The pump has been updated and the rate at which the oil is pushed through the system has been altered. We have observed a product of slightly lower viscosity than PGD, as well as a significantly more viscous product. Determination of the hydroxyl value in this refined sample serves to investigate other instances of non-acidic oxidation, providing key structural and compositional information, which will inform modification of the synthesis in order to achieve lower acid values. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy was used for further qualitative analysis of the biodiesel product. A solar collector is being investigated as an alternative energy source by utilizing properties of UV radiation. The goal of research going forward is to make a less oxidized product with a viscosity close to PGD, consistently.
Refinement of Production Grade Bio-diesel
The modified Burton method for the thermal hydrogen-cracking of peanut oil has been investigated in McGill Research Group since 2009. The successful and reliable production of biodiesel has been achieved since 2014. A hydrocarbon with viscosity similar to Production Grade Diesel (PGD) will work in modern diesel engines. The starting material has a viscosity significantly higher than PGD. The pump has been updated and the rate at which the oil is pushed through the system has been altered. We have observed a product of slightly lower viscosity than PGD, as well as a significantly more viscous product. Determination of the hydroxyl value in this refined sample serves to investigate other instances of non-acidic oxidation, providing key structural and compositional information, which will inform modification of the synthesis in order to achieve lower acid values. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy was used for further qualitative analysis of the biodiesel product. A solar collector is being investigated as an alternative energy source by utilizing properties of UV radiation. The goal of research going forward is to make a less oxidized product with a viscosity close to PGD, consistently.