Transesterified Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester)

In organic chemistry, transesterification is the process of exchanging the alkoxy group of an ester compound by another alcohol. These reactions are often catalyzed by the addition of an acid or base. (wikipedia)

Case study:

What is biodiesel?

Give a background on the history, uses, advantages, and problems with bio-diesel.

Biodiesel is a synthetic liquid fuel that is derived from vegetable or animal oils. The prefix 'bio-' is used to differentiate this fuel from 'petro'diesel, a fossil fuel used for a variety of purposes, notably as a chemical energy source for internal combustion engines.

What are the properties of a fuel that make it desirable for use in an automobile diesel engine?

Start with the chemical reaction (C₁₆H₃₄ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O) and describe how this is turned into mechanical energy. The average chemical formula for common diesel fuel is C₁₂H₂₆, ranging from approx. C₁₀H₂₂ to C₁₅H₃₂

What are the physical properties of a fuel that aid the functioning of the engine?

Flash point: the lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture in air near the surface of the liquid. The lower the flash point, the easier it is to ignite the material.
Viscosity: the resistance a material has to change in form. This property can be thought of as an internal friction or the ability of it to flow.
Boiling point: the temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas (vapor) at normal atmospheric pressure
Melting point: the temperature at which the vapour pressure of the solid and the liquid are the same and the presssure totals one atmosphere.
Gel point: related to viscosity
Energy in joules (wick lamp)
Lubricity
Reactivity with mechanical components (piston rings, cylinder bores, supply lines, fuel tank, filters)
Safe handling by humans
Emissions (CO₂, H₂O, CO, hydrocarbons, NO_x, particulate matter, sulfur oxides)