Biodiesel Lab

UMBCtube
3 Aug 201203:40
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this informative video, Laura Blevins, a Sustainability Intern for SGA and secretary for the biodiesel club, takes viewers on a journey through the biodiesel production process in their lab. The initiative aims to recycle waste products into reusable energy, reducing waste and emissions. The process involves mixing waste vegetable oil with methanol and a catalyst, KOH, at a controlled temperature. After an hour and a half, the biodiesel is filtered, separating it from the waste. The end product is a cleaner, less emission-producing fuel used in campus buses. The biodiesel club aspires to scale up this process for wider use and invites interested individuals to join and learn more through their website.

Takeaways
  • 🌿 **Sustainability Initiative**: The biodiesel project aims to recycle waste products into reusable energy for transportation, promoting sustainability.
  • 🚮 **Waste Reduction**: By using waste vegetable oil, the process helps to reduce waste on campus.
  • 🔁 **Recycling into Energy**: The initiative turns waste into biodiesel, which is a cleaner and more eco-friendly fuel.
  • 🚗 **Vehicle Transportation**: The produced biodiesel is used for vehicle fuel, specifically for buses around the campus.
  • 🧪 **Chemical Process**: The biodiesel is made by mixing waste vegetable oil with methanol and a catalyst, such as KOH.
  • 📏 **Measurements Matter**: Specific quantities of methanol (20% of the waste vegetable oil volume) and catalyst (7 grams per liter of WVO) are required for the reaction.
  • 🌡️ **Temperature Control**: The reaction should ideally take place at a temperature between 50 to 60 degrees Celsius.
  • ⏱️ **Reaction Time**: The process requires about an hour and a half for the biodiesel to fully react.
  • 🚰 **Waste Separation**: After the reaction, the waste is separated from the biodiesel by draining and filtering.
  • 🏗️ **Upscaling Aspirations**: The biodiesel club plans to upscale the small-scale design to produce more biodiesel for campus use.
  • 📚 **Educational Resources**: Interested individuals can find more information and join the club through the website on myumbc.edu.
Q & A

  • What is the primary goal of the biodiesel initiative mentioned in the script?

    -The primary goal of the biodiesel initiative is to recycle waste products from campus services into reusable energy for vehicle transportation, thereby reducing waste and emissions.

  • What are the main components needed to make biodiesel according to the script?

    -To make biodiesel, you need waste vegetable oil, methanol, and a catalyst, specifically KOH (potassium hydroxide).

  • How much methanol is required for the biodiesel process described in the script?

    -The required amount of methanol is 20% of the volume of the waste vegetable oil used, which in the script's example is 0.9 liters for 4.5 liters of waste vegetable oil.

  • How much catalyst is needed per liter of waste vegetable oil in the process described?

    -7 grams of catalyst is needed per liter of waste vegetable oil.

  • What is the ideal temperature range for the biodiesel reaction to take place?

    -The ideal temperature range for the biodiesel reaction is between 50 to 60 degrees Celsius (or approximately 122 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit).

  • How long does it take for the biodiesel to fully react once the methanol is added?

    -It takes about an hour and a half for the biodiesel to fully react once the methanol is added.

  • What is the purpose of filtering the biodiesel after the reaction is complete?

    -Filtering the biodiesel after the reaction helps to separate the biodiesel from the waste, which is a different color and typically darker.

  • What is the final product used for, as mentioned in the script?

    -The final product of the biodiesel process is used in buses around the campus as a cleaner burning fuel with fewer emissions than regular diesel.

  • What are the future plans for the biodiesel club mentioned in the script?

    -The biodiesel club plans to upscale their small-scale design to produce more biodiesel for use around the campus.

  • How can someone get more information about biodiesel or join the club?

    -To get more information about biodiesel or join the club, one can visit the website on myumbc, search for 'biodiesel,' and find a wealth of resources including articles, videos, and more.

  • What is the significance of using waste vegetable oil in the biodiesel process?

    -Using waste vegetable oil in the biodiesel process is significant because it contributes to recycling and reducing waste, while also providing a source of renewable energy.

  • What is the role of the catalyst in the biodiesel production process?

    -The catalyst, in this case, KOH, is crucial in the biodiesel production process as it facilitates the chemical reaction between the waste vegetable oil and methanol, converting the oil into biodiesel.

Outlines
00:00
🌿 Introduction to Biodiesel Production

Laura Blevins, a Sustainability Intern and secretary for the biodiesel club at SGA, introduces the concept of biodiesel. She explains the initiative's goal to recycle waste products into reusable energy for transportation, emphasizing the environmental benefits of reducing waste and emissions through clean burning fuel. The video then transitions to a lab demonstration where the process of making biodiesel from waste vegetable oil is explained in detail.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Sustainability Intern
A Sustainability Intern is a position typically held by a student or individual who is tasked with supporting the sustainability initiatives of an organization. In the context of the video, Laura Blevins is a Sustainability Intern for SGA (Student Government Association), which implies she is involved in promoting environmentally friendly practices within the campus community.
💡Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from organic materials such as vegetable oils or animal fats. It is a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel fuel, as it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In the video, biodiesel is being produced in a lab from waste vegetable oil, showcasing its role in recycling waste products into usable energy.
💡Waste Vegetable Oil
Waste vegetable oil refers to the used cooking oil that can be collected and repurposed for various uses, including the production of biodiesel. In the script, waste vegetable oil is the primary raw material used to create biodiesel, highlighting the process of recycling and reducing waste.
💡Methanol
Methanol is a light, volatile, and flammable liquid alcohol used as a solvent, antifreeze, and fuel. In the context of the video, methanol serves as a reactant in the biodiesel production process, mixed with waste vegetable oil and a catalyst to facilitate the chemical reaction that produces biodiesel.
💡Catalyst
A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change. In the script, potassium hydroxide (KOH) is used as a catalyst to speed up the reaction between methanol and waste vegetable oil, which is a crucial step in the biodiesel production process.
💡Emission Reduction
Emission reduction refers to the decrease in the release of pollutants or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The video emphasizes that using biodiesel as a fuel results in cleaner burning and lower emissions compared to regular diesel, which is beneficial for the environment.
💡Temperature Control
Temperature control is the regulation of the heat in a chemical reaction to ensure that the reaction proceeds at an optimal rate. In the script, maintaining a temperature between 50 to 60 degrees Celsius is critical during the biodiesel reaction to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness.
💡Filtering
Filtering is the process of separating solid particles from a liquid by passing it through a medium. In the context of the video, after the biodiesel has fully reacted, it is filtered to remove waste and impurities, resulting in a cleaner final product.
💡Cleaner Burning Fuel
A cleaner burning fuel is one that produces fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases when combusted compared to traditional fuels. The video highlights that biodiesel is a cleaner burning fuel with less emission than regular diesel, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
💡Small-Scale Design
A small-scale design refers to a system or process that is implemented on a limited or reduced scale, often for testing or demonstration purposes. The video describes a small-scale design for biodiesel production, which the biodiesel club intends to upscale for larger production quantities.
💡Upscaling
Upscaling is the process of increasing the size, capacity, or scope of an operation or process. In the script, the biodiesel club plans to upscale their small-scale biodiesel production process to produce more biodiesel for use around the campus, indicating a move towards larger-scale sustainability efforts.
Highlights

Biodiesel is produced by recycling waste products from campus services into reusable energy for vehicle transportation.

This process reduces waste and results in a cleaner burning fuel with lower emissions compared to regular diesel.

The general process of making biodiesel involves using waste vegetable oil, methanol, and a catalyst.

20% of the volume of waste vegetable oil used is the required amount of methanol for the reaction.

7 grams of catalyst per liter of waste vegetable oil is needed for the biodiesel recipe.

The catalyst (KOH) is mixed with methanol before being combined with the waste vegetable oil.

The biodiesel process should ideally be conducted at a temperature of 50-60°C.

The reaction between methanol and biodiesel takes about 1.5 hours to complete.

It is important to monitor the temperature during the reaction to ensure it remains between 55-60°C.

After the reaction, the biodiesel is filtered to separate the waste product from the fuel.

The final biodiesel product is a cleaner burning fuel with less emission than regular diesel.

The biodiesel produced is used in buses around the campus.

The small-scale biodiesel design is intended to be upscaled for larger production on campus.

The Biodiesel Club aims to produce significant amounts of biodiesel for use around the campus.

More information about biodiesel and the club can be found on the myUMBC website.

The initiative not only recycles waste but also promotes the use of a cleaner, more sustainable fuel source.

The biodiesel production process is explained in detail, providing valuable insights into sustainable energy solutions.

The club's efforts highlight the potential for universities to contribute to waste reduction and clean energy initiatives.

The use of waste vegetable oil as a feedstock demonstrates the potential for repurposing waste materials into valuable resources.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Biodiesel ProductionSustainabilityWaste RecyclingClean EnergyCampus InitiativeFuel AlternativeGreen ChemistryWaste Vegetable OilMethanol ReactionTemperature ControlSustainable Transportation