Republic of the Philippines

Batangas State University

College of Engineering, Architecture, and Fine Arts
Chemical and Food Engineering Department

“ BIODIESEL : Alternative Source of Fuel ”

A report submitted
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
in Science 402 (Modern Biology)

by

Briones, Lucia Isabelle B.

Gonzales, Kristine Rose G.
Macatangay, Layra Alexis
Maranan, Amira Jemly D.
Rallos, Sophia Lourdes C.

July 2019
I. INTRODUCTION

Everyone should be aware that fossil fuel resources are diminishing, and many
environmental issues are emerging in the recent years. Environment pollution, ozone layer
depletion, and global warming are just some of the severe problems that the world is facing
today. Due to this, we should strive to find a way to survive without consuming all the
natural energy that earth has. With regards to this, BIODIESEL has arisen and has become
attractive to the field of science. Due to its good oxidation characteristics and lubricating
nature, scientists believe that it could be the alternative source of energy for human
activities.

Biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that is reducing the

globe’s dependence on petroleum as well as improving our environment. It refers to a
vegetable oil or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting One of this is that it can compete
with food crops. Since biofuels are produced from organic products, they can compete with
food production. This can lead to increased food prices, and even food shortages in some
areas of the globe. Another could be deforestation. Since one of the best sources of
biodiesel is palm oil, people have the tendency to rely on palm trees and eventually cut
them off. Not only were forest cleared and burnt to make way for palm oil plantations, but
a huge amount of fossil fuels was burnt in doing which defeats the entire purpose of using
biodiesels. One more thing is that they can’t be used in cold areas. This is one of the major
drawbacks of biofuel use. If it gets too cold, then the fuel will begin to solidify inside the
fuel tank and engine, meaning you won’t be able to drive anywhere until it warms up.

However, those mentioned above doesn’t change the fact that biodiesel has been
found to have a lot of significant environmental benefits in terms of reduced emissions,
greater energy independence, and decreased global warming impacts. Biodiesel is a
renewable energy source, so unlike other petroleum products it will not vanish and can be
utilized many times. Since it is made from animal and vegetable fat, it can be produced on
demand and causes less pollution than petroleum diesel. Another thing is thar biodiesel can
be used in existing diesel engines with little or no modifications at all and can replace fossil
fuels to become the most preferred primary transport energy source. It also emits less green
house gas compared to the conventional diesel that we use. Actually, experts believe that
using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel can reduce greenhouse gases up to 78%.
Moreover, it is also biodegradable and releases fewer toxic chemicals.

Aside from its environmental benefits, biodiesel is also found to be economically

friendly than the typical diesel. Vehicles that run on biodiesel achieve 30% fuel economy
than petroleum-based diesel engines which means it makes fewer trips to gas stations and
run more miles per gallon. In addition to this, since biodiesel are produced locally, there is
a demand for employment for biofuel production plant. Biofuels are produced locally, and
thousands of people are employed in biofuel production plant.

Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources
and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic and is biodegradable.
Its utilization decreases our dependence on imported fuel and contributes to our own
economy. Biodiesel provides energy security as it protects the environment and boosts the
economy. Today, biodiesel is becoming the growing alternative fuel in many countries
throughout of the globe.
II. GOVERNING PRINCIPLES

Biodiesel starts with feedstock, a biological material vegetable oil, inedible corn
oil, animal fats or waste cooking oil.

(1) Treatment of raw materials

To ensure high quality biodiesel, it involves removing the impurities from the
feedstock through a refining process called pretreatment. An acid transesterification is
necessary as a preliminary stage, to reduce the level of FFAs.

(2) Alcohol-Catalyst Mixing

Then the refined feedstock is blended with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst
chemical. The alcohol used for biodiesel production must be mixed with the catalyst before
adding the oil. The mixture is stirred until the catalyst is completely dissolved in the
alcohol. Sodium and potassium hydroxides are among the most widely used basic catalysts.
In most production methanol or ethanol is the alcohol used.

(3) Chemical reaction

The chemical reaction takes place when the oil is mixed with the alkoxide (alcohol–
catalyst mix). This requires certain conditions of time, temperature and stirring. Since
alcohols and oils do not mix at room temperature, the chemical reaction is usually carried
out at a higher temperature and under continuous stirring, to increase the mass transfer
between the phases.
The process is called transesterification. It is the reaction of a triglyceride (fat/oil)
with an alcohol to form esters and glycerol. The process creates two products: methyl
esters (which is the chemical name for biodiesel), and glycerin (a valuable byproduct
usually used in soaps).
A successful transesterification reaction is signified by the separation of the ester
and glycerol layers after the reaction time. The heavier, co-product, glycerol settles out and
may be sold as it is, or it may be purified for use in other industries.
 (4) Separation of the reaction products
The separation of reaction products takes place by decantation: the mixture of fatty
acids methyl esters (FAME) separates from glycerin forming two phases, since they have
different densities; the two phases begin to form immediately after the stirring of the
mixture is stopped. Centrifugation is a faster, albeit more expensive alternative to separate
the two materials faster.

(5) Purification of the Reaction Products

The mixture of fatty acids methyl esters (FAME) obtained from the
transesterification reaction must be purified in order to comply with established quality
standards for biodiesel. Therefore, FAME must be washed, neutralized and dried.
III. HOW IT WORKS

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel, typically produced from animal fat or vegetable oil
in the form of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and has long been touted as an eventual
replacement for petroleum diesel.

It was back in 1853 when E. Duffy and J. Patrick first attempted to produce
biodiesel, even before the diesel engine itself was invented. Forty years later, Rudolf Diesel
managed to assemble the very first model of diesel engine in 1893 in Augsburg, Germany,
which was then introduced at the World’s Fair in Paris, France. This model was then
running on peanut oil.

Fast forward to the present, biodiesel is currently capable of being produced from
various raw materials, using many different techniques. Among others, biodiesel is often
manufactured from palm oil. As the most productive source of vegetable oil, 1 hectare of
land planted with oil palm can produce up to 3.5 tons of oil. This is far above canola, the
second most productive crop, where 1 hectare of canola can only produce around 0.8 tons
of oil.

Generally speaking, the main ingredients for biodiesel are produced from
agriculture and recycling. Therefore, biodiesel is a renewable resource that is non-toxic.
Through a sequence of chemical reactions, the fuel is typically prepared from animal fat or
vegetable oils. Instead of using oil, biodiesel is prepared from organic ingredients and can
be added to standard diesel or can be used in its natural form.

Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby

the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two
products - methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable
byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).
 The percentage of the blend of biodiesel can be seen on its label. For example, a
blend with 80% standard diesel and 20% biodiesel will be referred to as B20. Natural
biodiesel is referred to as B100. However, it is rare to come across 100% biodiesel. Diesel
engines do not need any modifications to use biodiesel, as it is completely harmless.
Therefore, using biodiesel is one way you can save the environment and reduce the
worldwide strain on crude oil. That’s how biodiesel works.
IV. APPLICATION/S

Biodiesel comes from renewable source, can be grown anywhere and have lower
carbon emissions as compared to fossil fuels. Biofuels not only help a struggling economy
by providing jobs but also helps in reducing greenhouse gases up to much extent by
emitting less pollution. Biodiesel is the only alternative that runs in any conventional,
unmodified diesel engine. Diesel skilled mechanics can easily attend to biodiesel engines
and it is 100% domestic fuel, nontoxic and biodegradable.

Biodiesel can be used in pure form or may be blended with petroleum diesel at any
concentration in most injection pump diesel engines. Biodiesel has different solvent
properties from petro diesel and will degrade natural rubber gaskets and hoses in vehicles.
It is also known to break down deposits of residue in the fuel lines where petro diesel has
been used.

Biodiesel can be used with some precautions in diesel engines in many sectors
including on – road vehicles, off road mobile equipment and stationary equipment.

On road
 Fleet vehicles
 Heavy duty trucks
 School buses
 Urban transit buses

Off road
 Agricultural equipment
 Construction equipment
 Forestry equipment
 Mining equipment
 Locomotives (trains)
 Marine vessels
Stationary
 Electricity generators
 Furnaces
 Energy generation
 Provide heat
 Charging electronics
 Cooking
 Lubricate
 Remove paint and adhesive
V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Biodiesel is a renewable and clean burning fuel that is made from waste vegetable
oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel vehicles. Biodiesels can be
used to displace fossil fuels for mobile and stationary sources of liquid energy. Advantages
of biodiesel includes increased efficiency, continued reductions of greenhouse gases,
greater energy independence, domestic jobs and economic benefits for the regions that
produce clean, renewable biodiesel. Despite the many positive characteristics of biofuels,
there are also many disadvantages to these energy sources. It includes deforestation, poor
low temperature properties, increased food prices and even food shortages in some areas
of the globe.

Biodiesels work much like standard fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel. They
undergo combustion and produce gases and energy, which is used to power our vehicles
and/or generate energy for other purposes such as heating the houses or office, among
others. Through a sequence of chemical reactions, the fuel is typically prepared from
animal fat or vegetable oils. Instead of using oil, biodiesel is prepared from organic
ingredients and can be added to standard diesel or can be used in its natural form. Biodiesel
is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is
separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The biodiesel thus obtained can be directly used or,
in most of the cases, blended with standard fuel. Biodiesel can be used with some
precautions in diesel engines in many sectors including on road vehicles, off road mobile
equipment and stationary equipment.

Continuously increasing use of fossil fuels to fulfill our daily requirements of

energy will soon lead to depletion in the availability of these fossil fuels. The need to look
for alternative fuel sources to meet the energy requirements has increased manifold. Out of
the many alternative energy sources known, biodiesel have been attracting attention for it
is produced from biomass sources which can provide a renewable carbon feedstock.
Biodiesels, if produced in a responsible way could help us cut carbon dioxide emissions
and tackle global warming. But there’s a risk that it could lead to significant loss of
biodiversity due to deforestation and problems such as poverty and hunger in developing
nations. Perhaps it is better if we cut the energy that we use and reduce our dependence on
cars than simply substitute biodiesels for oil and carry on as we are. If we really want to
protect the planet, we have to be absolutely certain we’re not helping to destroy it.
VI. REFERENCES

https://greentumble.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-biodiesel-fuel/
http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/02-03/biofuels/what_biodiesel.htm
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/energy-efficiency-transportation-and-
alternative-fuels/alternative-fuels/biofuels/biodiesel/3509
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages_disadvantages_biodiesel.php
https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/files/biodiesel_production.pdf
https://biodiesel.org/what-is-biodiesel/biodiesel-basics
https://www.cooperativeenergy.coop/news-and-views/how-do-biofuels-work/
https://www.biodiesel.com/biodiesel/benefits/