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Project:Algal biodiesel: Difference between revisions
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→Transesterication, washing
(→Oil extraction: some detail on chemical oil extraction) |
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Chemical: hexane, isopropyl, acetone? Depends on the fatty acid we need to solubilise, the cell wall/membrane we want to break up, etc. This likely requires a lot of experimentation and reading. | Chemical: hexane, isopropyl, acetone? Depends on the fatty acid we need to solubilise, the cell wall/membrane we want to break up, etc. This likely requires a lot of experimentation and reading. | ||
=== | === Biodiesel production === | ||
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel.html | |||
====Transesterification==== | |||
Whilst you can use the oil obtained above directly, you get a much more useful fuel if you convert the fatty acids to biodiesel. Here we'll use a base (Sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, most likely; lime can also probably be used) to catalyse the reaction between alcohol (which we'll add; probably methanol) and the fatty acid/triglycerides produced in the previous step. This will produce our end product and glycerol, which is denser so should separate out. Ideally we're only getting 2% byproduct on this step, but if we get more, don't worry; if you've seen Fight Club, think back to how they're producing soap. Similar, eh? | |||
=== Distillation === | === Distillation === | ||
