Final Report 3

Basic Chemistry Thermodynamics: Solve the challenge of storing renewable energy

NAMES: JUNE VERNON B. PASASADABA

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. CHARLIE J VILLARBA DATE: 12/08/20

ABSTRACT:

In total three experiments were conducted to familiarize the laws of thermodynamics, the
concepts of enthalpy and entropy, Gibbs free energy and its relation to spontaneity, and energy
storage. Each experiment tackled different concepts and this was implemented via the labster
learning resource. The first experiment posed the problem of transporting solar energy over long
distances and investigated the most efficient way of storing energy in doing so. The second
experiment used the combustion of octane in a system to determine its energy content. It showed
the relation between enthalpy and the internal energy of the system. The third experiment used
the transformation of reactants carbon dioxide and molecules of water into products of propane and
oxygen to discuss the enthalpy and entropy of a reaction in terms of Gibbs free energy. These
experiments reveal important concepts in energy conservation and the most efficient storage
material to be utilized in doing so. The concepts of enthalpy and entropy and spontaneity in Gibbs
free energy are important supplementary concepts to learn in solving the challenge being posed.

INTRODUCTION:
Objectives: learn about the laws of thermodynamics(1), the very important concepts of enthalpy and
entropy(2) and how to use the Gibbs free energy to determine whether a reaction will occur
spontaneously or not.(3). Investigate which would be the most efficient way to store energy(4)
The first experiment is meant to investigate the problem of conserving solar power in the most
efficient way possible and transporting it at long distances. The experiment familiarized the law of
conservation of energy and the most efficient means of energy storage based on specific energy and
energy density. It continued by tackling the most relevant forms of energy storage for long term
given the problem being posed.
The combustion of 1.00 gram of octane was an experiment used to show the relation between the
enthalpy and the internal energy of the system. The heat energy given out by the system is
indication of the enthalpy of combustion and this was measured by the bomb calorimeter. Results
of the experiment were shown through a table and it showed that the heat of the reactions were
not the same and the formulas were made to relate all the variables.
The third experiment transformed carbon dioxide and molecules of water to the products propane
and oxygen. This was shown through an energy diagram. This was used to discuss the enthalpy of
formation and the second law of thermodynamics. It also discussed the enthalpy and entropy of a
reaction in terms of Gibbs free energy. Considering an endothermic reaction, an increase in
entropy favors this reaction and spontaneity. It was concluded by testing the hypothesis in respect
with Gibbs free energy and investigating whether octane is good for transportation.
The discussion also showed how Gibbs free energy determines whether a reaction will occur
spontaneously or not. Different components were set as an example. The type of reaction was
determined and the corresponding increase or decrease of entropy was shown.
EXPERIMENTAL (Materials and Methods):

The labster experiment started by interacting with an engineer. The engineer introduced
the solar power plant that had been placed in a desert where the sun is shining most of the time.
He then, identified the problem which is to find a good way to store energy so that locations from
afar can use it especially at night.

Proceeding to the laboratory, first thing being talked about the law of conservation of
energy and was illustrated through a poster on the wall of the virtual laboratory. After tackling the
law of conservation of energy, an example was presented which illustrated energy storage.
Furthermore, the topic was continued by mentioning lithium-ion batteries and why it is not suited
for long term storage of energy.

Next was an experiment where a sample of 1.00 gram of octane was combusted to determine
its energy content. Materials provided and being used we’re: pipette, water bath, and a
calorimeter. The combustion started by giving pressure to the octane inside the calorimeter until
such time that it reached the preset value of 25 bar. Fill the water bath by putting water in and
wait for the temperature to stabilize. After the water bath and the oxygen vessel had been
stabilized, the sample was combusting inside the vessel which then heats up the said vessel and the
water surrounding it. The combustion reaction was completed but the oxygen vessel was still giving
off heat to the surrounding water bath. Wait for the temperature to stabilize, in order for it to be
stable, ignite the calorimeter. After being stabilized, outputs from the experiment we’re presented
through a table and a graph showing the temperature of the water bath as a function of time.

The table of values and the graph from the previous procedures were then examined and
interpreted. After identifying the change of temperature and concluding that the heat of reaction
were not the same, a formula was made in order to relate all of the variables. ΔH= C-ΔT; where
ΔH is the change of heat, C is the total heat capacity and ΔT is the change in temperature. The
heat of the reaction measured also called as the enthalpy of reaction particularly enthalpy of
combustion. The relationship between enthalpy and internal energy of a system was given by
providing the equation H=u + pV where p and V are the pressure and volume of the system. In the
bomb calorimeter the enthalpy was being measured, thus ΔH=Δu+ΔpV.

The next experiment was performed in a surface section on the virtual laboratory. The bar
on the right of the energy diagram provided will show the sign and magnitude of the enthalpy of
reaction. The yellow ball represents the reactants while the blue ball represents the products of
the reaction. The products should be to the right of the reactants. The red arrow indicates the
direction of the reaction and goes from the reactants to the products. Steps to be made is just
adjusting the ball in different positions and record or familiarize the values of H which also can be
seen on a table in front of the surface section of the virtual laboratory. The reactants are 3
molecules of carbon dioxide and 4 molecules if water. They are transformed into the products
which are one molecule of propane and 5 molecules of oxygen. Following it was the discussion of
the enthalpy of formation that was primarily based on this experiment.

The second law of thermodynamics were mentioned on the next part of the virtual
laboratory experiment. It states that all spontaneous processes lead to a higher entropy of the
universe. The enthalpy and entropy of a reaction is combined in the term Gibbs free energy, G.
The sign of ΔG of a reaction indicates whether a reaction will occur spontaneously or not. The
last part of the experiment were testing the hypothesis in respect with their entropies and Gibbs
free energy and concluding whether octane is a good choice for fueling transportations.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Table of Energy Density of fuels

The energy density of Li-ion batteries is lower because it is another type of storage
material. Hydrogen has the highest specific energy, but its energy density is quite low. Even
though carbohydrates have a lower specific heat energy than hydrocarbon fuels, their energy
density is higher because they are solids. LP gas and gasoline have the same specific energy but
not equally well suited as fuels for a vehicle.

Temperature of water bath as a function of time

The initial temperature at its most stable state is from 0 to approximately 700 arbitrary
units and that is precisely 15.4 degree Celsius. The final temperature of the water inside the
calorimeter as per shown in the graph was approximately 23.2 degree Celsius. The change of
temperature was is the difference between the two temperatures associated with the reaction.
23.2-15.4 degree Celsius = 7.8 degree Celsius.
Heat and temperature/ heat and energy

ΔH= C x ΔT C=Ccal + Cwater x mwater

ΔH= 45.7 kJ C= 5858 J/°C

ΔT= 23.2-15.4°C Ccal= 835 J/°C

= 7.8 °C Cwater= 4.186 J/g°C
Mwater=1200 g

1 2 3

4
The 4 figures represent the exothermic and
endothermic nature of the reactions. A reaction that gives off
heat when it occurs is said to be exothermic where ΔH is
negative , in the graph it is represented by a color red. A
negative ΔH value means that the enthalpy of the product is
lower than the reactants. (Figure 3&4). The opposite is the
case for a reaction that consumes heat when it occurs. Such
reaction is said to be endothermic the enthalpy change ΔH is
positive meaning, that the enthalpy of product is higher than
the enthalpy of reactants.
Afterwhich, the reactants were split into its constituent
elements. The forming of a molecule is called the enthalpy of
formation which are experimentally collected in tables.
 Components Hypothesis Validity of Reason/s
hypothesis
An endothermic Endothermic ΔG will change CORRECT It means, that the
reaction is not and increases sign when T gets melting of ice is a
spontaneous at T=0. entropy high enough. spontaneous
This make sense process above a
because ice doesn’t certain temperature
melt at -273°C. above 273K (0
But what happens degree celcius)
when the water exist as a
temperature is liquid and an ice
increased?(Ice) cube will
spontaneously melt.
Photosynthesis Endothermic ΔG stays positive CORRECT No matter how high
and decreases regardless of the temperature
entropy temperature gets,
photosynthesis is
never a
spontaneous
reaction as it
requires a lot of
energy to occur.
Burning of fuel Exothermic and ΔG stays negative CORRECT The combustion of
increases no matter how high fuel is always a
entropy temperature gets. spontaneous
reaction-it releases
a lot of energy.
Rusting of iron Exothermic and ΔG will change CORRECT When both ΔH
decreases sign when T gets and ΔS are
entropy high enough. negative the
reaction is
spontaneous only
below a certain
temperature.(at
1499K)
(Gibbs free energy in determining whether a reaction will occur spontaneously or not)

CONCLUSION:

The problem of storing renewable energy was taken on in the first experiment by learning about the
laws of thermodynamics, particularly the law of conservation. The results showed that lithium-ion
batteries were not a suitable storage unit for long term storage. The next experiment was done
through the combustion of octane in a system by adding pressure. The initial temperature, final
temperature, and change in temperature was recorded inside a calorimeter. The results were then
shown through a graph and it showed the initial temperature was 15.0 degrees Celsius, the final
temperature was 23.2 degrees Celsius, and the change in temperature was 7.8 degrees Celsius.
The third experiment was done through an energy diagram which was represented by an energy
diagram and by adjusting the position of the blue and yellow balls in different positions of the red
arrow to familiarize the values of H. The figures presented then showed the exothermic and
endothermic nature based on the ΔH value and whether or not the reactant has a higher enthalpy
than the product and vice versa. The last part of the third experiment was deliberating the
hypothesis of whether or not octane is suitable for transportation. Octane is suitable for
transportation. A high-octane number is more resistant for the gasoline mixture to knock. The use
of higher-octane fuels also enables higher compression ratios, turbocharging, and
downsizing/downspeeding - all of which enable greater energy engine efficiencies and higher
performance.

Istate sad gamay nya churvahi nga dli kaau effective as storage for energy ang octane but for transportation needs the
octane seems like a good choice.
REFERENCES: