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Biodiesel Reactor
About Our Project
About Our Project
Our team's goal is to create a Biodiesel Reactor for our teacher's tractor while also heating houses on Trafton Road. The Biodiesel Reactor is able to convert used grease into biodiesel through a chemical process called transesterification.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
Mr. Katsman: for the materials and teachings that are vital to the team's education.
Dr. Hinkley: for guiding the team through the chemical experiments.
Mr. Heffron: for providing insights into the potential use of biodiesel for the school.
Mr. Shaw of Ashland Sawmill: for providing a comprehensive tour and explanation of the sawmill.
Ms. Voisine of Ashland Sawmill: for coordinating the team's visit to the sawmill.
Dr. Rim: for the usage of the fume hood and the classroom for biodiesel reaction.
Mr. McDonald: for assisting with media and providing supplies.
Dr. Hamlin: for allowing the usage of the makerspace.
Dr. Jayasundara: for providing knowledge on our biodiesel reaction
Check out the official MSSM website with showcase of our engineering class!
The materials team is mapping out the setup, from week 1.
The chemistry team is performing a titration to determine the quality of the oil, in week 2.
Pictures of the biodiesel reaction from week 3. In the picture on the right the yellow liquid is biodiesel, and the substance at the bottom was glycerin.
The biodiesel reaction using fresh oil from week 4.
The biodiesel reaction using fresh oil from week 4.
The filtration system for oil designed by the material team, from week 6.
The chemistry team is calculating the free fatty acid amount (shown in picture on the left), and performing tritration using potassium hydroxide (shown in picture on the right)
The design team is drawing the new oil filtration system.
More titrations to test the oil.
We took a trip to Pineland Farms Potato Company to see and tour the process of potato production.
Gabriel is pouring the oil into the 10 micron filter.
There is a layer of sediments in the oil.
Alice is heating up the oil.
The centrifuge Aerie doing calculations
The chemistry team is working on more biodiesel reactions while the design team is working on calculations.
Gabe is measuring for CAD.
Ben and Aerie are learning about motors from Dr. Hamlin.
Dhruv, Lily, and Thomas are learning about chemistry with Dr. Jayasundara
Testing the motor to make sure it works as the oil cools and gels.
Burn test (02/24) :
IMG_9040.MOVIMG_9039.movIMG_9039.movIn this video, the Q-tip is coated with the biodiesel we produced. When ignited, it is clear that the Q-tip coated with biodiesel sustained a consistent, intense burn that differs significantly when compared to the Q-tip or Q-tip with oil. Therefore, this indicates our biodiesel reaction was successful. (Reaction shown below.)
In this video, the Q-tip is coated with regular oil. When we tried to ignite it, it did not ignite at all. (Reaction shown below.)
In this video, the Q-tip is not coated with anything. When ignited, the flame was different than the flame when the Q-tip was coated with biodiesel. (Reaction shown below.)
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