Finding the Ideal Biodiesel Blend
School Name
Center for Advanced Technical Studies
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Biochemistry
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
2nd Place
Abstract
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source produced by the transesterification of Waste Vegetable Oil. This is a sustainable fuel and much cleaner than using petroleum diesel. The current problem which is preventing mass use of biodiesel is the fact that its viscosity increases at low temperatures, and it congeals. It also grows bacteria over time, compromising its fuel standards. These problems occur with using B100, pure biodiesel, however, there is not much research on how these problems affects the different blends of biodiesel and petroleum diesel, and to what extent they’re affected. My hypothesis is that Adding Biodiesel to conventional petroleum diesel fuel does not have a significant statistical change in how the fuel's viscosity is affected in cold temperature. Results to date show that the blend with the highest biodiesel content that did not have crystallized biodiesel at low temperatures was B50, while B75 and above would crystallize at -4oC and above.
Recommended Citation
Askar, Osama, "Finding the Ideal Biodiesel Blend" (2016). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 278.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2016/all/278
Location
Owens 204
Start Date
4-16-2016 10:15 AM
Finding the Ideal Biodiesel Blend
Owens 204
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source produced by the transesterification of Waste Vegetable Oil. This is a sustainable fuel and much cleaner than using petroleum diesel. The current problem which is preventing mass use of biodiesel is the fact that its viscosity increases at low temperatures, and it congeals. It also grows bacteria over time, compromising its fuel standards. These problems occur with using B100, pure biodiesel, however, there is not much research on how these problems affects the different blends of biodiesel and petroleum diesel, and to what extent they’re affected. My hypothesis is that Adding Biodiesel to conventional petroleum diesel fuel does not have a significant statistical change in how the fuel's viscosity is affected in cold temperature. Results to date show that the blend with the highest biodiesel content that did not have crystallized biodiesel at low temperatures was B50, while B75 and above would crystallize at -4oC and above.
