The purpose of this major qualifying project was to determine the optimal method to achieve lower freezing points in biodiesel.This was corrected by investigating the cloud point and pour point of methanol, ethanol, iso- butanol, and iso- pentanol alcohol based biodiesels. The addition of complex alcohols in the transesterification reaction was expected to increase carbon chains to the esters resulting in lower freezing temperatures. Prediction methods were used as well as controls to check accuracy of the data collected for cloud and pour points. The final conclusion of this project determined the validity of this experiment by showing an expected decrease in temperature. Iso-butanol was determined to be the optimal fuel for performance in lower climates.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Velleca, Sara Ann

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042618-150834

Advisor

• Timko, Michael T.
• Kmiotek, Stephen J.

Year

• 2018

Date created

• 2018-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright