Reference to our Science Project: http://sst2013-s207iss-d.blogspot.sg/p/annex.

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Group Project Proposal (Science)
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SINGAPORE
INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS IN SCIENCE (ISS)

Names: Alicia Lim Hui Suan, Beeraka Vijayakumar Lakshitha, Ki Misu and
Shirley Low Yan Qian
Class: S2-08
Group Reference: A

Group Project Proposal (Science)
Biodiesel obtained from wasted oil/Vegetable oil

1. Indicate the type of research that you are adopting:

[ ] Test a hypothesis: Hypothesis-driven research

[ ] Measure a value: Experimental research (I)

[ X ] Measure a function or relationship: Experimental research (II)

[ ] Construct a model: Theoretical sciences and applied mathematics

[ ] Observational and exploratory research

[ ] Improve a product or process: Industrial and applied research


2. Write a research proposal of your interested topic in the following
format:

Title: An investigation of the types of oil affecting the quality of biodiesel.

A. Question being addressed

We want to find out what types of oil is the best for making the biodiesel of
good quality.

The independent variable is the types of oil.

The dependent variable is the quality of biodiesel.

The constants are:

(a) The concentration/volume of the used methanol and lye ratio to the oil

(b) The temperature of the oil(63 degree celsius)

(c) The time taken to heat the oil

B. Hypothesis

If biodiesel is obtained from vegetable oil or wasted oil, the quality will be
the same.

C. Description in detail of method or procedures (The following are
important and key items that should be included when formulating ANY
AND ALL research plans.)

Equipment list:

- Clean beaker (500 ml) x 5

- Methanol

- Stirrer

- Bunsen burner/ Hot plate

- Lighter

- Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)

- Used Oil

-Vegetable Oil

- Lard

- Pot

- Filter paper

- Separating funnel

- FIlter funnel

- Conical flask





Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for
data collection



Procedure
http://homepages.rpi.edu/~bequeb/URP/BiodieselESW06.pdf (Reference)
Step 1 Pour the wasted oil through the filter paper to filter out the solid,
visible impurities.
Step 2 Place the container on the heating plate.
Step 3 Heat the oil up to around 60+ degree celsius.
Step 4 While heating up the oil, stir and check the temperature with a
thermometer every two minute interval for 10 minutes.
Step 5 Pour the oil into the air-tight container quickly in order to preserve
heat.
Step 6 Prepare methanol and lye.
Step 7 Add the chemicals into the hot oil.
Step 8 Wait for an hour for chemical reaction. Notice a darker coloured
liquid, glycerin, settling at the bottom.
Step 9 By using separating funnel, separate glycerin(bottom) from
biodiesel(top).
Step 10 Test the quality of oil with the wash test by mixing biodiesel with
the water.
Step 11 If biodiesel is distinctively separated and floating above the water,
it is quality fuel which can be used on diesel cars.
Step 12 Repeat steps 1-11 again to confirm the reliability of results
obtained from wasted oil. After repeating this step twice, repeat the same
steps with vegetable oil.

Risk and Safety: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions to be
taken.
1. As this experiment involves heating, use gloves or thongs when handling
hot material.

2. As the experiment involves chemicals, we have to conduct the
experiment in the fume hood.

3.Chemicals(methanol and lye) are very reactive,they may cause
explosion.

4. Wear goggles throughout the whole experiment.

Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the
data/results that answer research questions or hypotheses

1. We will make a table to compare the quality of the biodiesel when
obtained from wasted oil and vegetable oil.
2. Temperature chart to observe the optimum temperature to mix lye and
methanol together for better quality fuel.
3. Testing of the quality of the biodiesel with a simple wash test.

D. Bibliography: List at least five (5) major references (e.g. science journal
articles, books, internet sites) from your literature review. If you plan to use
vertebrate animals, one of these references must be an animal care
reference. Choose the APA format and use it consistently to reference the
literature used in the research plan. List your entries in alphabetical order.




Bibliography
1)A.E. Ghaly, D. Dave, M.S. Brooks, S. Budge.(2010)Production of
Biodiesel by Enzymatic Transesterification: Review.Retrieved July 4 ,2014,
from PDF%2Fajbbsp.2010.54.76.pdf

2)Keith Addison. (Unknown). Biodiesel and you vehicle. Retrieved July 14,
2014, from fullhttp://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_vehicle.html#qual1

3)Yomi Watanabe, Yuji Shimada, Akio Sugihara, Yoshio Tominaga.
(2001).Enzymatic conversion of waste edible oil to biodiesel fuel in a fixed-
bed bioreactor. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, Volume 7,
Retrieved July 14, 2014, from
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11746-001-0329-5
4)M. Pugazhvadivu,

K. Jeyachandran. (November 2005). Renewable
Energy. Elsevier, Volume 30, Retrieved July 14, 2014, from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148105000388
5)Basque Research. (April 14, 2014).Genetically modified tobacco plants
as an alternative for producing bioethanol. Retrieved July 14, 2014, from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140414092002.htm