Synthesis and characterization of biodiesel

Goal

In this two-week lab, you will synthesize biodiesel from waste vegetable oil. You will then measure the density and viscosity of your fuel, and obtain its IR spectrum. You will compare your results to commercially available biodiesel.

Preparing for Lab

Print out the procedure. Familiarize yourself with the hazards (see "online MSDS" link to left for NaOH, methanol) involved in this experiment.

Choreography

There are several time-consuming steps in the procedure. To allow everyone to get a chance to complete each step, we will schedule the work as follows:
2/12 (FORD)
  • Synthesize 3 batches (called F1, F2, F3) through Procedure, Part A.
  • Finish equilibrium lab.
2/13 (BENEDICT)
  • Synthesize 3 batches (B1, B2, B3) through Part A.
  • Wash FORD batches F1-F3 (Procedure, Part B).
2/14 (TRACY)
  • Synthesize 3 batches (T1, T2, T3) through Part A.
  • Wash BENEDICT batches B1-B3
  • Continue washing F1-F3 if necessary.
2/26 (FORD)
  • characterize F1-F3.
  • Wash T1-T3
  • Continue washingd B1-B3 if necessary.
2/27 (BENEDICT)
  • characterize B1-B3
  • Wash T1-T3 if necessary.
2/28 (TRACY)
  • characterize T1-T3

Report

Briefly describe what you did (you may refer to the procedure, rather than duplicate it in your report). Report any observations you made concerning the appearance of the product at various stages. Indicate which steps (synthesis, neutralization by shaking, dropwise neutralization) you performed on which samples (F1, T2, etc).

In the "results" section, report the density and viscosity of the sample(s) you measured. Attach the IR spectra and discuss any significant differences between the samples.