Creating Biodiesel from Virgin Vegetable Oil, Methanol, and

Potassium Hydroxide
Samuel Martinez
Animas High School

SAMUEL MARTINEZ

Samuel Martinez
Capstone Lab- Making Biodiesel from Virgin Vegetable Oil, Methane, and
Potassium Hydroxide:
ABSTRACT:
The lab that I am completing is Making Biodiesel from Virgin Vegetable Oil
provided by the Loyola University of Chicago. I chose to complete this lab because
in Humanities and Chemistry class we are learning a lot about energy use; both the
science of it and the political debates surrounding the advancement of energy
development. Biodiesel is a cleaner burning alternative to diesel fuel that can be
burned in any unmodified diesel engine at any concentration. This experiment will
demonstrate an exothermic reaction and help me determine the differences
between reagents or reactants and products in an experiment. To create this
biodiesel I will create a mixture of Potassium Methoxide and Virgin Vegetable Oil,
and then drain and rinse the biodiesel to attain a more pure mixture. From this
experiment I will gain knowledge on the chemistry of biodiesel and the refining of
crude biodiesel. From this experiment I will also gain laboratory experience in which
INTRODUCTION:
This idea behind this experiment is to learn more about environmentally friendly
ways of producing energy. Biodiesel is an ecofriendly form of fuel that is generally
composed of Vegetable Oil, methane, and Potassium Methoxide. In this lab I am
hopeful that I will gain knowledge on ways of producing different types of diesel and
the differences between these different types of fuel. Energy production is a big
controversial topic in society today, therefore it would logical for the young minds of
science to be aware and knowledgeable of the conflicts we face now, and could face
in the future. To complete this experiment I will create biodiesel through the
combination of the correct ratio of Vegetable Oil, to methane (l), and Potassium
Hydroxide (s), draining the crude particles that have settled at the bottom of the
container of diesel, and finally rinsing the remaining, unwanted substances.
METHODS:
This lab is being completed in order to create biodiesel through the mixture
potassium methoxide and vegetable oil. But to create this biodiesel formula, you
must first make potassium methoxide. Potassium methoxide is made when KOH
(potassium hydroxide) and methanol are put together in a mixture. To make this
potassium hydroxide, the first step will be to go to the fume hood and measure out
the correct amount of methanol in mL. For this experiment, we will be using
approximately 40 mL of methanol. Take the methanol and relocate it from the
graduated cylinder into a mason jar and firmly seal the lid. Using a balance or scale
of some sort, the next step is measure out the correct amount of lye (KOH) in
grams. Add this to the Mason jar containing the methanol but be quick and cautious
as not to change the mass of the base (methanol). Methanol is hygroscopic, therefor
it absorbs H2O from the atmosphere. This means the mass can change without
notice, you must be fast. Once the lid is secure, shake the lid until all the KOH has
dissolved. Now, this reaction that creates the potassium methoxide is exothermic so
be sure to burp your mixture in the fume hood. Now you have potassium
methoxide, which, when added to virgin vegetable oil, can create biodiesel. Due to
SAMUEL MARTINEZ

the fact we used 40 mL of methanol, the correct amount of vegetable oil to be used
is 200 mL vegetable oil. Be sure to be very accurate with measurements as to not
tamper with the ratio between the reagents. Combine the 200 mL of vegetable oil
with the 40 mL of potassium methoxide in the mason jar and seal the lid completely
once more. Shake this mixture for up to 10 minutes. Next, to ensure you do not lose
your experiment, label the jar with your name and the contents of the jar. Let the
mixture sit / settle. What you have now is classified as crude biodiesel. To extract
those unwanted substances within the biodiesel that contaminate the substance,
you will wash the biodiesel. Using a beaker or separator funnel, pour in the crude
biodiesel. Give this mixture time to settle- approximately 30 minutes. Once there is
a distinguishable separation between the biodiesel and the crude glycerin, drain the
crude glycerin from the biodiesel. Now using a spray bottle containing distilled
water, gently spray the biodiesel and you can watch as the H 2O separates from the
biodiesel pulling the unwanted substances that are contaminating your biodiesel
down with the water molecules leaving you with a more pure biodiesel mixture. You
have finished making biodiesel from virgin vegetable oil and potassium methoxide.
MATERIALS:
The materials for the lab experiment will be as follows:
Virgin Vegetable Oil (approximately 200 mL)
250 mL Graduated Cylinder
Balance or Scale (in grams)
KOH Potassium Hydroxide (approximately 2 g)
Methanol (approximately 40 mL
50 mL graduated cylinder
A Mason Jar/ Ball Jar
Large Seperatory Funnel with Ring Stand
Spray Bottle filled with Distilled H2O
HAZARDS:
This experiment involves toxic and flammable chemicals. When processing your
biodiesel there are several hazards that one might come across. First of all, youre
going to be working with Methane. Methanol gives off poisonous fumes and
happens to be very flammable. Due these characteristics of the chemical methanol
(l), make sure to process the biodiesel in a well-ventilated area-perhaps in a fume
hood or outdoors. You will also be using Potassium Hydroxide. Potassium Hydroxide,
in it comes in contact with wet/ moist air, an explosive/ corrosive gas can be
released. When dealing with Potassium Hydroxide it is important to ensure that the
surrounding atmosphere is ideal for processing the Biodiesel. In addition to being
capable of creating a harmful gas, also avoid contact with your eyes and ingestion
of the chemical. It can cause blindness as well as burning, diarrhea, shock, and in
some extreme cases, even death. When working with Potassium Hydroxide, wear
gloves as to protect the skin on your hands from being exposed to the harm
substance.
CALCULATIONS:

SAMUEL MARTINEZ

The recipe for making biodiesel from virgin vegetable oil, using base as a catalyst,
is simple. For every 1L of vegetable oil, add 0.2 L of methanol, and 8.0 g of KOH. In
this lab, we will be starting with 200 mL of vegetable oil.
1 L oil + 0.2 L methanol + 8.0 g KOH 1 L biodiesel + 0.2 L glycerin + salts
The appropriate amount reagents to be used is as follows.
200 ml vegetable oil

40 ml methanol

1.6g KOH

REACTION DIAGRAM (PROVIDED BY THE LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO)-

++

Vegetable Oil

Alcohol

Biodiesel

Glycerin

R= fatty acid chain of the triglyceride (this will vary for each type
of vegetable oil) R= in the case of methanol, this will be methyl
group (CH3)
OBSERVATIONS:
-

Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and the Methanol created pressure

There seemed to be some sort of gas let off from the reaction in the ball jar before Al burped it.
When we added the Potassium Methoxide (KOH + Methanol), the substance turned very
murky.
Towards the beginning of the Veg. Oil and Potassium Methoxide reaction the substance was a
milky looking substance with a yellow colored tint.
After we mixed the vegetable oil with the Potassium Methoxide and finished shaking the
mixture, it turned more a translucent yellow color.

SAMUEL MARTINEZ

As the substance begins to separate in the funnel there seems to be a gathering of a heavier
material on the bottom. The glycerin- Darker colored- almost brown.
Halfway through separation there is a line of glycerin, etc. on the surface of the substance.

HALFWAY THROUGH THE REACTION -

DURING H2O RINSE-

AFTER H2O RINSE-

SAMUEL MARTINEZ

RESULTS:
The Biodiesel that created was a successful experiment. I have made the
biodiesel out of the given ingredients and used the correct ratio as to make
the best biodiesel possible. Provided above are photos during the experiment
of the biodiesel in the separation funnel. The last picture provided is after the
biodiesel was rinsed with H2O. There is a noticeable difference in the
appearances of the biodiesel in each picture. Of course, biodiesel created on
an industrial level and for actual use is cleansed much more intensely, but I
learned a great deal about biodiesel and its potential for being a factor in
changing energy production across the globe.
DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSION:
The purpose of this experiment was to create Biodiesel composing of three
component; these components being Potassium Hydroxide, Methanol, and
Virgin Vegetable oil. It was important to follow the recipe- or rather, ensure
the ratio used was accurate. The ratio for Biodiesel is 1L of Vegetable oil to
0.2L of Methanol, and 8.0 grams of Potassium Hydroxide. Because we only
used 200 mL of vegetable oil, the correct ratio was 40 mL of methanol, and
1.6 grams of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH).
While doing this experiment I found that methanol is hygroscopic- meaning
that methanol absorbs H2O molecules from the atmosphere. This made it
really important to keep the methanol as tightly sealed as possible at all
times, as well as making sure that when adding the reactants to the
methanol, to do it quickly and precise.
When adding the potassium hydroxide to the methanol to create the
potassium methoxide, we found it was important to make sure we shook the
mason-jar until there was no longer remaining solid fragments of KOH. This
reaction is exothermic which means it releases energy. Because of this, we
found it vital to burp your mason-jar a couple times to ensure that we do not
withhold too much pressure in the mason-jar and cause it to explode, crack,
etc. We also had to be sure to burp the mason-jar in the fume hood as the
gas being released has the potential to be hazardous.
Lastly, when rinsing the biodiesel in the separator funnel, be sure to spray
the biodiesel gently with the water. If you spray too harshly, there is potential
that the H2O molecules could alter the composition of the Biodiesel. By going

SAMUEL MARTINEZ

this gently, it ensures that the H2O molecules will drag out the majority of the
remaining, unwanted substances, and settle to the bottom.
My creation of Biodiesel was successful. However, if I were to do this again, I
would be sure to quick with methanol. I believe I had the methanol exposed
to the atmosphere of the lab too long and perhaps some particles from the
atmosphere were absorbed, though I can never know for sure.
Despite the fact that this lab was successful and authentic Biodiesel was
manifested, industrial level Biodiesel is much cleaner than the Biodiesel I
have created. I am sure that to do this factor, as well as others, that my
biodiesel is not completely safe for use in engines and that my biodiesel does
not burn as efficiently or produce as much energy as industrial level
Biodiesel.

SAMUEL MARTINEZ