For generations the behavior and choices of people have been significant contributors to global warming.  Now, as almost everyone accepts the problem, society is faced with choices that many perceive will negatively impact our way of life and those of future generations.  The perpetrators of this ecological cataclysm will be long dead when the worst fallout occurs.  Their children, grandchildren, and generations of descendants will bear the brunt of their self-indulgence.  Any hope of minimizing the fallout requires drastic changes right now.  As a society, we cannot wait for a catastrophe of an unimaginable magnitude that will galvanize us to action.  For example, by the time the ocean levels rise sufficiently to engulf New York City, it is too late.  As a society, we must turn the corner on global warming now.

Many people want to drive their cars of choice and drive for pleasure without thinking about the energy used or waste created.  Virtually all of us make numerous choices every day that increase our carbon footprint and contribute to global warming.  Even though it is a change in our lifestyle, we must each begin to make choices that are more carbon friendly and better for the environment. 

Biodiesel Making Contest Overview

Biodiesel is a non-toxic diesel fuel that can be made from any vegetable oil or animal fat.  However, depending on the type of oil or fat used and the way it is converted into biodiesel, different samples of biodiesel will have different characteristics, such as viscosity, energy content, and gel point.  Also, in order to pass the definition of biodiesel, the fuel must pass certain tests.  The tests that a single sample of commercial biodiesel must pass cost over $1000!  Although this is too expensive for our contest, there are some simple tests that can be performed on a biodiesel sample that will provide a pretty good idea of how good the sample is, and even whether or not it would likely pass the commercial tests.  Some of these are tests you can do yourself, as will be described in the rules below.  A couple of other tests will also be performed by the judges.

Biodiesel Making Contest Rules

You may work with one other student.  Obtain a quart or so sample of used vegetable oil from a local restaurant.  It is recommended that you use vegetable oil rather than animal fat, because biodiesel made from vegetable oil will stay liquid at colder temperatures than that made from animal fat, and cold-flow properties will be one of the characteristics tested.  Also, non-hydrogenated oil will yield biodiesel that remains liquid at colder temperatures than that made from hydrogenated oils (think of difference between regular vegetable oil [non-hydrogenated], and margarine [hydrogenated]).

Provide a brief description of oil you made your biodiesel from, including:

• Source (e.g. which restaurant, what kind of restaurant?)
• Type of oil (e.g.  canola, soybean, peanut, etc)
• What did it look like?  (e.g., dark or light, clear or creamy, liquid or gelled)
• Brief description of your experience of getting the oil.  Was it difficult to get?  What kind of reaction did the restaurant have to your request?

Provide description of exactly how you made the biodiesel.  This should include:

• Date you performed the reaction.
• How much oil did you use?
• Titration:  [See separate instructions for how to do the titration].  What was the titration number of your oil?  (e.g., how many milliliters of 0.1% lye or KOH was required to achieve end-point in the titration? )
• Did you heat the oil?  If so, to what temperature?
• How much methanol and lye or KOH did you use?
• How long did you mix the reaction, and how?
• How long did you wait before separating your biodiesel from the glycerin byproduct?
• How did you wash and dry your sample?

How did you test your biodiesel?  Tests you can do:

• Visual inspection - does the fuel look clear and bright?
• Put a sample in the refrigerator or on ice. Does it stay clear or get cloudy or semi-solid?
• Methanol or 3/27 test: In a tube or small jar, mix 3 ml of your biodiesel with 27 ml of room-temp methanol, shake, and then allow to sit for 5 minutes. A passing test would be one where there is no oil puddle on the bottom. If there is a puddle of oil, that indicates that the reaction was not done to completion.
• Viscosity (fun but very optional!). First, get a pop bottle of at least a quart size, clean and dry it, cut off the bottom, and into a hole you drill in the center of the cap, insert a piece of copper pipe (eg ¼ inch diameter).  Mark two lines on the side- one towards the top, and one towards the bottom.  Suspend the bottle in a ringstand or similar device, and with one finger over the hole in the cap, fill it with your finished biodiesel sample.  Using a stop watch, see how long it takes for the biodiesel to drain, measuring the time it takes for the level to go from one line to the other.  Compare to a sample of commercial biodiesel. 

Tests that will be performed by the judges and criteria for judging:

• 3/27 methanol test, as described above.  This is the single best test of whether the fuel is likely to pass the commercial quality tests.  The test measures how well your reaction went, by showing whether there is any vegetable oil remaining that did not get converted into biodiesel.  If there is no puddle of oil in the test tube, your sample has a good chance of passing commercial standards.  If there is a puddle, it would like fail.   The judges will note whether or not there is a puddle at the bottom of the test tube, and if so, how large.
• Test for Water and Visual Clarity.  This test indicates whether there is likely to be any contamination of your fuel due to water, glycerin, mold, or other contaminants.  After performing the test, the vial will held up to the light to see whether 5 ovals are visible (pass) or no ovals are visible (fail).  If less than 5 ovals are visible this will be recorded also. 
• Cold temperature test.  Samples will be placed in a refrigerator and also on ice overnight.  Criteria will be whether the sample remained clear or became cloudy or semi-solid.   Highest grade is to samples that remain clear on ice. 
• To distinguish between the best 3 samples as tested above, a third test will be performed, called the pHLip test.  This test measures reaction conversion, and how much contamination is present from glycerin, water, or catalyst that was not removed in washing. 
• Note: Some of the above tests will be scored on a 1 – 5 scale.  Also, extra points will be awarded for more ambitious projects!  Some teacher or adult assistance is OK, but this should be noted in written material submitted.

Submit your sample (at least 250 ml) and written description (see above) to your teacher by Monday March 10.   Be sure to label your sample with your name(s) and your teacher’s name and school.  

Resources for testing:

• http://www.b100supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=121
• http://biolyle.com/process/quality.html

 Judges

• Lyle Rudensey, BioLyle’s Biodiesel Workshop, LLC
• Rebecca McAferty, WA State Dept of Agriculture
• Diane Rise, WA State Dept of Agriculture

Prizes

First Prize

• Google flip video camera (for the school)
• $100 Cash Prize
• Winner (and their biodiesel) will be recognized at the “Biodiesel In Your Neighborhood” Community Forum at Rainier Community Center on March 15 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
• Winner (and their biodiesel) will also be recognized at the 6^th Annual Northwest Biodiesel Forum and Renewable Energy Expo at the Seattle Center on Sunday May 4

Second Prize

• $100 in Taco Del Mar Gift Certificates