Materials:

Biodiesel Lab Procedures

Graduated cylinder Thermometer Balance (to measure grams of KOH) Spatula (to scoop out KOH) Gloves, goggles

3 mason/glass jars (with tight-fitting lids) 3 types of vegetable oil 20 mL methanol 0.9 g potassium hydroxide (KOH) Hot plate beaker 1. 2.

3. 4. 5.

Step 1: Creating Biodiesel from New Vegetable Oil. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Every person should be wearing goggles. Team member #1 will wear gloves. Keep gloves to re-use for next steps. Team member #2: Measure 20 mL methanol using the graduated cylinder. Pour into jar and close tightly. Team member #1: Weigh 0.9g KOH using the electronic balance. Pour into jar and close tightly. Shake until all of the KOH is dissolved. Team member #3: Measure 100mL new vegetable oil using the graduated cylinder. Pour into beaker and heat beaker on medium heat with a thermometer until it reaches 55-60C. Stir occasionally using the thermometer. If it gets too warm, use protection to remove beaker from the hot plate and cool down. Team member #4: Pour warm oil into the jar with the methoxide (KOH + methanol). Close lid tightly and shake for 10 minutes. Open jar to release pressure, then close tightly. Store jar overnight for the mixture to separate. Repeat for other new vegetable oil sample. (Rotate roles.) Small beaker pH paper, ripped in small pieces KOH solution

Materials: Used vegetable oil 10 mL isopropyl alcohol 1 pipette 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Step 2: Test waste oil to determine amount of KOH needed to form biodiesel. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Every person should be wearing goggles. Team member #2 will wear gloves. Keep gloves to re-use for next steps. Team member #1: Using a pipette, measure 1.0mL oil into a small beaker. Rip small pieces of the pH paper and place them into the spot plate. Team member #3: Measure 10mL isopropyl alcohol using a graduated cylinder. Add to beaker of oil. Mix gently by swirling beaker. Team member #2: Obtain KOH solution. ONLY add 0.5mL each time to the beaker of oil. After each time, have team member #4 use the pipette to add one drop of the oil onto the pH paper. Count how many mL of KOH you added until the pH of the oil is about 8.5! Finish filling out the data table.

Materials: 3 mason/glass jars (with tight-fitting lids) used vegetable oil 20 mL methanol ___ g potassium hydroxide (KOH) Hot plate beaker

Graduated cylinder Thermometer Balance (to measure grams of KOH) Spatula (to scoop out KOH) Gloves, goggles

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7.

Step 3: Creating Biodiesel from Used Vegetable Oil. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Every person should be wearing goggles. Team member #4 will wear gloves. Keep gloves to re-use for next steps. Teacher: Filter used vegetable oil to remove big chunks of food or other particles. Team member #2: Measure 20 mL methanol using the graduated cylinder. Pour into jar and close tightly. Team member #1: Use the number calculated from step 2 to determine how many grams of KOH to measure out using the electronic balance. Pour into jar and close tightly. Shake until all of the KOH is dissolved. Team member #4: Measure 100mL used vegetable oil using the graduated cylinder. Pour into beaker and heat beaker on medium heat with a thermometer until it reaches 55-60C. Stir occasionally using the thermometer. If it gets too warm, use protection to remove beaker from the hot plate and cool down. Team member #3: Pour oil into the jar with methoxide (KOH + methanol). Close lid tightly. Shake for 10 min. Open jar to release pressure, then close tightly. Leave overnight for the mixture to separate. Syringe Paper towel

Materials: Permanent marker Graduated cylinder Cotton balls

Step 4: Analyzing Oil Samples 1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Every person should be wearing goggles. 2. Observe the three oils. Are there 2 distinct (clear) layers? The bottom layer is glycerin and the top layer is your biodiesel. Write down in your data tables. 3. Use a pipette to remove the top layer (this is your biodiesel) into a graduated cylinder. 4. Write down how many mL of biodiesel you have created on your first data table! 5. Pour glycerin (bottom layer) into waste container and clean out jar. Pour the biodiesel back into the jar. 6. Clean graduated cylinder with slightly soapy water and use paper towel to dry. 7. Repeat for each oil sample. This is an interesting way to test your biodiesel: 1. Write your name on your hand with a marker. 2. Dip the corner of a paper towel into your biodiesel and use it to clean your hand. 3. If it is just oil: the marker wont come off! If it is biodiesel: the marker will be removed! (Biodiesel is a great cleaner.) 4. Make sure your data table is filled out.