My Biofuels Research

By: Jamie C. Nervil

TSS( Total Suspended Solids)

An unmeasured amount of algae was taken from a column using a 200 mL beaker. Then, a microfiber filter was placed on the drain sitting on top of an Erlenmeyer flask. A blue 1-5 mL pipette was then used to transfer 5 mL of algae medium fluid 5 times into the drain ( 20 mL total). The liquid seeped through the fiber, while the algae remained. After measuring the amount of liquid in the flask, the liquid was then poured back into the algae fluid and the flask was washed with DI water and acetone (not mixed together). The filter was then replaced for these procedures to be repeated with the urea algae medium. Finally, the flask is washed again and put back into the dryer.

1. Algae Medium (two left columns):- Slightly greener than urea algae medium, little more algae growth.

2. Urea Algae Medium (two right columns):- Slightly lighter than algae medium, little less algae growth.

Note: The formula for TSS is final mass – initial mass/volume.

AM-14 UAM-14

DayInitial Mass

Final Mass

TSS Volume TSS

Initial Mass

Final Mass

TSS Volume TSS

89 1.4311 1.4364 25 212 1.4443 1.4463 25 80

10 1.4458 1.4523 25 260 1.4453 1.4493 25 16011 1.447 1.4553 25 332 1.4444 1.4503 25 23612 1.449 1.4589 25 396 1.4464 1.4526 25 248

Nutrient Recipe

Algae, being a plant, requires food, water, and sunlight to healthily grow. In order to test the effectiveness of two different nutrient recipes, a sample of algae, the nutrient mixture and deionized water were mixed together and placed in a container with an incessant supply of moving air provided by an airstone. The reason why more air was added is because algae have been found to grow healthier with moving air constantly and without interruption.

The main ingredients needed to prepare Scendesmus AM-14 & UAM-14 are as follows: NaNO3, K3PO4, and H2O. The rest of the details are found on the next page.

1. Scendesmus AM-14 (481.9 g) -NaNO3 = 20 mL -K3PO4 * H2O = 20 mL-Part B solution = 10 mL-AM-14 = 1 mL-Deionized water = 700 mL- Scendesmus = 150 mL

2. Scendesmus UAM-14 (482.59 g)

- K3PO4 * H2O = 20 mL-Part B solution = 10 mL-Urea (A) Solution = 20 mL-AM-14 = 1 mL-Deionized water = 700 mL-Scendesmus = 150 mL

Experiment Data for the Adiabatic Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter

This week, we used soy oil and benzoic acid ( I did mainly soy oil) as combustion agents for the adiabatic oxygen bomb. In order to prepare the bomb, a five gallon bucket must be filled up with water and ice. The coiled hose already in the bucket must be connected to the sink and T-joint that runs to the heater and calorimeter jacket. Then, get another bucket, weigh it, and get two thermometers. Pour hot water in the bucket, and try to get both temperatures to 28oC. If over 28 and a half, pour cold water. Record the bucket‘s final weight. Then, a liter of DI water must be placed in a beaker on a hotplate turned between 50oC and 60oC to provide a hot water source to regulate calorimeter temperature. Meanwhile, make sure the sample and a piece of wire was weighed and placed properly in the bomb. Then weigh out 3.706 g of Na2CO3, 100 mL of DI water, then add 900 mL of water. Mix this together and set aside for titration. Then clean up the bomb and check for soot (sign of incomplete combustion from previous run). Assemble the bomb, place it in the jacket, close it, and place the thermometer probes through the hole and in the water. Stabilize both temperatures and then record changes every 30 seconds, then every 15. Then connect the bomb to the oxygen tank. Turn the first valve, then the second to ma

Then clean up the bomb and check for soot (sign of incomplete combustion from previous run). Assemble the bomb, place it in the jacket, close it, and place the thermometer probes through the hole and in the water. Stabilize both temperatures and then record changes every 30 seconds, then every 15. Then connect the bomb to the oxygen tank. Turn the first valve, then the second to make the gauge go to 30 atm (make sure it doesn’t go above that! It CAN explode!). Then release the pressure by turning the pressure valve. Finally, disconnect the bomb from the tank, and slowly release the oxygen from the bomb. Record the time it took for all of the oxygen to escape.

1. Soy Oil Run (1):Sample Mass 0.0136 g

Weigh Paper Mass 13.3488 g

Initial Wire Mass 0.2410 g Final Wire Mass 0.0028 g

Calorimeter Bucket Mass 829.26 g Oxygen Bomb Pressure 30 atm

Calorimeter Bath Mass 2000.21 g Depressurization Time2 min. 45 sec.

Mass for Na2CO3 for Titration 3.706 g

Measurement Error

Volume of DI H2O for Titration 100 mL

Measurement Error 1 mL



Indicator Type MO (Methyl Orange)Drops of Indicator 30

2. Soy Oil Run (1) Continued:

Total Volume of Titration (mL.) Volume 1 0.10 mL Volume 2 8.70 mL Bomb Rinsed? Yes

Bomb Water Volume1.00 mL No Sulfur? Yes

Standardizing Initial Temperature 28⁰ C

Signs of Uncomplete Combustion? Yes

Initial Temperature of Run 27.5⁰ C

Color of Bomb Washings after Indicator Drops Yellow

Color of Bomb Washings after

Titration Yellow

3. Soy Oil Run (2):

Sample Mass 0.9776 g



Calorimeter Bucket Mass 824.48 g Oxygen Bomb Pressure 30 atm

Calorimeter Bath Mass 2000.00 g Depressurization Time 1 min. 55 sec.Mass for Na2CO3 for

Titration 3.706 gMeasurement Error 0.2072






4. Soy Oil Run (2) Continued:

Total Volume of Titration (mL.) 132 mL Volume 1 24.4 mL Volume 2 37.6 mL Bomb Rinsed? Yes

Bomb Water Volume 1.00 mL No Sulfur? YesStandardizing Initial Temperature 28⁰ C Signs of Uncomplete Combustion? NoInitial Temperature of Run

28.06⁰ C

Color of Bomb Washings after Indicator Drops Pink


Titration Yellow

Making Biodiesel

Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification.

Transesterification involves separating glycerol from fat or vegetable oil. The result leaves two of the remains: methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerol (mainly used to make soap).

1. Heat corn oil to 50-60⁰C (120-140⁰F).2. Calculate the amount of methanol and/or ethanol and catalyst needed.3.Dissolve catalyst in methanol.4. Add methoxide to heated oil.5. Mix rapidly for 2 hours.

For calculating amount of methanol/ethanol:-200 mL of Corn Oil x 25% methanol = 50 mL of methanol.For calculating amount of KOH (the catalyst):- 200 mL of Corn Oil x 1 L/1000 mL x 5g KOH/1L oil = 1 g of oil.

Here’s Zac and I’s biodiesel (methanol on the left, ethanol on the right). My ethanol had very little glycerol separation, whereas Zac’s had more.

TSS (Total Suspended Solids)

1. Algae Medium (first row, third row):

-Has gotten darker since last week. More algae growth.

2.Urea Algae Medium ( second row, fourth row):

-Has also gotten darker since last week. More algae growth also shown.

13 1.4381 1.4533 25 608 1.435 1.4425 25 30014 1.0878 1.1032 25 616 1.0863 1.0946 25 33215 1.4391 1.4564 25 692 1.4221 1.4302 25 32416 1.3098 1.4346 25 4992 0.9754 1.091 25 4624

AM-14 UAM-14

DayInitial Mass

Final Mass

TSS Volume TSS

Initial Mass

Final Mass

TSS Volume TSS

Experiment Data for the Adiabatic Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter

1. Benzoic Acid Run (1):

Total Volume of Titration (mL.) 7.5 mL Volume 1 0.30 mL Volume 2 7.80 mL Bomb Rinsed? Yes

Bomb Water Volume 0.0 mL No Sulfur? YesStandardizing Initial Temperature 28⁰ C Signs of Uncomplete Combustion? NoInitial Temperature of Run

28.05⁰ C



Titration Yellow

Sample Mass 1.2049 g Weigh Paper Mass 0.2129 g


Calorimeter Bucket Mass 824.40g Oxygen Bomb Pressure 30 atm








1. Benzoic Acid Run (2):Sample Mass 0.9868 g



Calorimeter Bucket Mass 824.24g Oxygen Bomb Pressure 30 atm








Total Volume of Titration (mL.) 8.6 mL Volume 1 0.10 mL Volume 2 8.70 mL Bomb Rinsed? Yes

Bomb Water Volume 1 mL No Sulfur? YesStandardizing Initial

Temperature 28⁰ CSigns of Uncomplete

Combustion? NoInitial Temperature of Run

27.62⁰ C



Titration Yellow

Algae Splitting

Algae splitting is important for increasing the size of the container it’s inhabiting. The procedure of splitting algae is very similar to the nutrient recipe. Even some of the same ingredients are used!

1. Scendesmus AM-14-NaNO3 = 50 mL-K3PO4 * H2O = 50 mL-Part B solution = 25 mL-AM-14 solution= 2.5 mL-DI Water = until container is filled up

2. Scendesmus UAM-14-Urea (A) Solution = 50 mL-K3PO4 * H2O = 50 mL-Part B solution = 25 mL-AM-14 solution = 2.5 mL-DI Water = until container is filled up

I would like to thank my former middle school teacher, Mrs. Pollard, for informing me about this program. I would also like to thank Dr. Kumar and Dr. Burgin for accepting my application and allowing me to be a part of his SEECR award-winning apprenticeship program. And lastly, I’d like to thank Zac, Hannah, Caleb, Kwamena, and Ali for teaching me the procedures involved in algae cultivation and for making me feel like I belong in the laboratory. You guys were great mentors and charmed me with your personalities. I hope to see you guys again someday in the future.

My Biofuels Research

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