Biodiesel Synthesis
Currently biodiesel is produced through the transesterification of waste vegetable oil using methanol as the ester and potassium hydroxide as the catalyst for the reaction. While this method works, the byproducts formed must be separated and the biodiesel “washed” before it is fit for use. These byproducts leave more work to be done as their disposal or purification is required with each batch of biodiesel produced. This can increase production costs making biodiesel a more expensive alternative to fossil fuels. In the literature, solid acids have been shown to catalyze transesterification without producing these byproducts, looking to be a promising alternative for biodiesel production. This research explored various solid acid catalysts and their success in catalyzing transesterification reactions.
Applications of glycerol
In the production of biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal fat there is a 10% glycerol yield. In literature has shown several uses for glycerol including the production of moisturizers, plastics, and even to neutralize phenol burns. The problem was the purification of crude glycerol. Glycerol is very hydroscopic making separation difficult. We’re tried to perform chemical reactions with the crude glycerol to avoid the purification process. The objective of this research was to find new applications for the crude glycerol.
Ethanol synthesis
Though today’s society has found a method of recycling for paper, we have not developed a possible use for the paper towels that are consumed annually. Paper towels are primarily composed of cellulose. The paper towels primary composition makes it a possible source for the extraction of glucose. The vast majority of ethanol is made by the anaerobic fermentation of glucose using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our lab used four methods in an attempt to find a technique that would yield a high amount of glucose: Mechanical separation of the paper towels and the use of solid acid catalyst. The successful withdrawal of glucose in an efficient amount would permit us to ferment and produce the fuel ethanol thereby developing not only a use for the disposed paper towels, but also a new means for the acquiring of a very commonly used fuel source.