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The main renewable fuel derived from corn is ethanol. Ethanol is produced when yeast ferment the sugars released from starches in the corn. In addition to starch, corn plants also store energy in the form of oil. The extraction and use of these oils as a valuable coproduct is becoming a more common practice in the production of ethanol. These oils can be used in cooking, but also in the production of fuels in the form of biodiesel or renewable diesel. Biodiesel is a renewable, clean fuel that can be mixed with conventional diesel. Biodiesel, like ethanol, is made of carbon atoms that were in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide before being fixed during photosynthesis. Biodiesel is produced when the fatty acid chains of the oil are removed in a reaction with methanol and a catalyst. Renewable diesel is also produced from different oils by a catalyst driven reaction that allows for the precise manipulation of the molecules, producing an even more stable product.
After completing these activities the student will be able to:
Biodiesel Production and Separation
Materials for analyzing solvent properties of fuels
Materials for analyzing viscosity of fuels
The production of biodiesel requires the use of hazardous materials. Methanol is extremely flammable and toxic by inhalation and ingestion. Use extreme caution and review the following documents thoroughly before proceeding. Safety tips for handling methanol are available at: https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/762ec945eb5744518e71a014f92818cb
Methanol MSDS is available a: https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/5cebbc146b164cc9a0e5cb1e15246281
Potassium hydroxide is very corrosive and toxic. When making biodiesel, these two compounds are mixed making potassium methoxide, which is even more corrosive and toxic. Gloves, protective eyewear and lab coats or aprons should be worn.
Length of Time for Preparation: Preparing to have students produce biodiesel from corn oil would be gathering the materials. The teacher may choose to prepare the biodiesel for the class and have the class test the different fuel properties. Length of Time for Classroom Teaching: 1-2 class periods
Petroleum diesel is a hydrocarbon that is refined from crude oil that is pumped from underground. Diesel is the group of hydrocarbons ranging from C10H22 to C15H28, having an average of C12H24. This fuel is a mixture, typically containing 75% saturated hydrocarbons and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons.
Fats and oils are classified in a group of compounds called triglycerides. These molecules are made up of a glycerol and three-fatty acid molecules. Animal fats tend to be saturated triglycerides, having all single bonds between carbons in the fatty acids. This makes the chains nearly straight and allows them to solidify at higher temperatures. Plant oils are typically unsaturated, having at least one double bond. The fatty acid bends at this double bond and causes the oil to stay liquid at lower temperatures.’
Saturated Triglyceride Unsaturated Triglyceride
Biodiesel is produced when a catalyst, potassium hydroxide, is used to separate the fatty acids from the glycerol molecules. This produces fatty acid methyl esters, or biodiesel.
Renewable diesel can also be produced from triglycerides, such as those in corn oil. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the process can involve isomerization, pyrolysis, and other thermochemical and biochemical means. Renewable diesel is formed by removing the hydrocarbon from the fatty acid and saturating the molecule with hydrogen. Methyl groups are then added to the molecule to lower the temperature at which it starts to solidify.
Introduce the topic and assess students for prior understanding. Let students discuss their ideas, and guide the discussion without telling them if they are right or wrong.
This biodiesel may still contain some potassium hydroxide catalyst. It would require washing and drying to remove this before it would be ready for use in an engine.
Determine the percent yield by volume of biodiesel from corn oil.
(Volume of Biodiesel)/(Volume of Corn Oil) x 100 = % yield by volume.
Use this percentage to determine the amount of corn oil required to produce one gallon of biodiesel.
If one bushel of corn can produce 700 mL of corn oil, how many bushels of corn would be required to produce one gallon of biodiesel?
Analysis of Fuel Properties
There are several concerns regarding the use of biodiesel due to its differing properties with petroleum diesel. The difference in molecular structure causes it to be a solvent that is capable of dissolving some plastic components in engines and fuel systems not designed for biodiesel use. This is not a problem in newer diesel engines that have components made for use with biodiesel. Diesel, in general, can encounter problems in extremely cold weather as it can form a gel that is too viscous for fuel systems. Biodiesel can increase the likelihood of forming gel at a higher temperature. Biodiesel blends and the addition of antigel agents reduce this problem. Renewable diesel can remain liquid at lower temperatures as opposed to biodiesel. The cold weather properties are tested in a lab by cooling a sample and determining the point at which it starts to crystallize. This temperature is referred to as the cloud point of the fuel.
Analysis of Solvent Properties
Procedure for analyzing solvent properties
Procedure for analyzing viscosity at different temperatures
To learn more about agriculture careers, visit https://agexplorer.ffa.org/.
Any educator electing to perform demonstrations is expected to follow NSTA Minimum Safety Practices and Regulations for Demonstrations, Experiments, and Workshops, which are available at https://static.nsta.org/pdfs/MinimumSafetyPracticesAndRegulations.pdf, as well as all school policies and rules and all state and federal laws, regulations, codes and professional standards. Educators are responsible for abiding appropriate legal standards and better professional practices under a duty of care to make laboratories and demonstrations in and out of the classroom as safe as possible. If in doubt, do not perform the demonstrations.
This lesson is the work product of the Kansas Corn Commission. Our lessons are written in collaboration with Kansas teachers for use in the classroom. Teachers may copy and share this curriculum. Use of this product for commercial or promotional use is prohibited without express permission of Kansas Corn.
As the need to produce more food with less resources grows, it is important that future generations have a better understanding of agriculture and how corn farming and agriculture fit into our daily lives. That’s why the Kansas Corn STEM program provides lessons to teach science through the lens of corn. We are committed to providing free materials and training to support educators.
