Weekly Progress Report: Week 5

In Week 5's lab, Louis, Jiaqi, and Dong reacted three more samples of crude biodiesel. In addition, Samples I and II were separated out into crude biodiesel and glycerine and poured into a glass jar. Both samples yielded approximately 75% biodiesel and 25% glycerin. To expedite the process, Sample II was separated using a centrifuge at 4000rpm for 8 minutes. Sample III was put into a separatory flask and left to settle. Sample IV was left to react in the water bath shaker.

Figure 1: Sample I being separated into biodiesel and glycerin layers.

Figure 2: Sample II in centrifuge tubes. At right: Before centrifuge was applied. At left: Separated layers after centrifuge.

Figure 3: Sample I in separate jars. Glycerin is on the left while crude biodiesel is on the right.

Esmail and Blake have finished building the components of the electrolysis rig, with the exception of the power supply. On Monday of week 6, the power supply will be procured from the Physics Department, and electrolysis will be run from noon to 6 PM.

 Figure 4: Basic prototype of electrolysis rig. Since taking this picture, the electrode distance has been shortened and the 150 mL beaker has been replaced with a 50 mL beaker. Not pictured: Multimeter, connecting wires, power supply.

It has been calculated that to run the full course of experimental trials, around 9 samples of crude biodiesel need to be produced. This will be achieved by Dong, Louis, and Jiaqi sometime between this week and next week.

 Also, the cold soak filtration test has been determined to be unsuitable for this project. The ASTM specification for the cold soak filtration test requires a .7 micron glass fiber filter, and it's expensive. Instead, we will use a soap titration test.

In Week 6, we will run the electrolysis procedure and modify it if necessary. The washing procedure will be attempted and perfected. In addition, more crude biodiesel samples will be made.