| Biodiesel samples were synthesized via the acid-catalyzed transesterification of various triglycerides with C1-C4 low molecular weight alcohols. Canola oil, soy oil, olive oil, corn oil, chicken fat, and lard were used. The samples were characterized using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Samples were analyzed by bomb calorimetry to determine the gross heat of combustion of the samples. An attempt to correlate chain length and combustion energies was explored during the course of the study. Also, the study aimed to explore which combination of starting material and alcohol produced the highest energy output. The heats of combustion as a function of carbon content of alkoxy group were found to be quite small among all samples. The separation of the transesterified product of C3-C4 alcohols was more difficult than for those C1-C2 alcohols. The acid-catalyzed transesterification is a better method for synthesizing biodiesel from lower molecular C1-C2 alcohols. Nevertheless, the biodiesel samples prepared with heavier alcohol presented a slightly increase in combustion energy. |
