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Chemistry Behind

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Chemical Composition

 

BIODIESEL vs  PETRODIESEL

 

Both biodiesel and petrodiesel molecules are similar with the only real difference between them being which the biodiesel has 2 Oxygen atoms on the right side of it compared to the petrodiesel molecule which does not.

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Benefit ? 

Biofuels can burn much faster and will emit less carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) compared to petro diesel which is a fossil fuel.

 

How do we produce Biofuels?

 

 

 

 

The processes used to produce biofuels :

1. Transesterification

2. Esterification

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3 fatty acid acids and a glycerol molecule (shown in red) react with methanol (shown in blue). This will yield a mixture of fatty acid esters (shown in black and blue) that can be used as biodiesel as well as a glycerin molecule which can be removed for used in chemical applications, food processing, and other settings.

Transesterification

- It is a process in which fats and oils are converted into biodiesel and glycerin (A Co-product)

- It involves vegetable of animal fats and oils being reacted with short-chain alcohols (typically methanol or ethanol)

Esterification

- It is a process that involves separating glycerin from the animal fat or vegetable oil that is used as the feedstock which are then fed to acid or resin esterification process. 

- Creates:

1. Methyl Esthers (Biodiesel fuel)

2. Glycerin (A useful by-product) 

- The sulfuric acid (catalyst) is dissolved in methanol and then mixed with pretreated oil.

- Once the mixture is heated and stirred, the free fatty acids are converted to biodiesel

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