biofuels Flashcards
what are biofuels?
biofuels are those fules derived from recently living organisms. they aer usually from plant sources but animal fats may also be used
what is the difference between biofuels and fossil fuels?
biofuels are derived from recently living organisms where as fossil fuels are not entirely fueled from living organisms.
triglyceride + methanol = ______ + _______
biodiesel (methyl ester) + glycerol
advantages of biodiesel are
- It does not contain sulfur and so there is zero emission of SO2
- CO2 emissions are reduced markedly
- it burns more completely because of the oxygen present in the molecules
- unburnt hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds are almost entirely eliminated.
- particulate matter is reduced by 30%
- No modification of the diesel engine is needed
what is ethaol produced from?
Sugar cane, using the enzymes in yeast to catalyse the reaction.
what is the process called and is it aerobic or an anarobic reaction?
the process is called fermentation and it is an anaerobic reaction because it doesn’t need air.
C6H12O6 = 2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)
# define: Renewable and Sustainable
Renewable means that it can be replaced as fast as it is consumed
Sustainable means that it is renewable without causing harm or problems
what are the advantages of ethanol?
- less unburnt hydrocarbon is released into the atmosphere because of more complete combustion.
- lower NOx emission because ethanol needs more energy to vaporise and this has a cooling effect, meaning the temperature at which nitrogen and oxygen react is not reached
- no carbon monoxide emitted.
what are the steps involved in the process of making biodiesel?
- Separate fatty acids and glycerol from vegetable oil (hydrolysis)
- Generate sodium methoxide by reacting methanol with sodium hydroxide
- Make an ester by reacting fatty acids with sodium methanoixde.
- serparation of immiscible layers.
