Biodiesel is most commonly a mono-ester of methanol produced through a process called transesterification, where a basic catalyst breaks fatty acids from glycerin and bonds them with methanol to form biodiesel. It has a slightly lower energy density than petrodiesel but offers environmental benefits such as reduced emissions and less reliance on foreign oil imports. Biodiesel production is important as it provides a renewable fuel that can be used directly in unmodified diesel engines, helping energy independence, economic growth, and cleaner air with less global warming.

2. What is Biodiesel?
 Biodiesel is most commonly a mono-ester of methanol but
other alcohols like ethanol can also be used.
 You can call biodiesel a mono-alkyl methyl ester or
methyl ester for short
 During transesterification a basic catalyst breaks
the fatty acids from the glycerin one by one. If a
methanol contacts a fatty acid they will bond and
form biodiesel.
 The hydroxyl group from the catalyst stabilizes the
glycerin.

3. Properties:
 The calorific value of biodiesel is about 37.27 MJ/kg.
This is 9% lower than regular Number 2 petrodiesel.
Variations in biodiesel energy density is more
dependent on the feedstock used than the
production process.
 Biodiesel is a liquid which varies in color —between
golden and dark brown —depending on the
production feedstock. It is slightly miscible with
water, has a high boiling point and low vapor
pressure.

4. Importance of biodiesel:
 Bio-diesel is the most valuable form of
renewable energy that can be used directly in
any existing, unmodified diesel engine. It
also helps in:
1. Energy independence.
2. Smaller trade deficit.
3. Economic Growth .
4. Cleaner Air.
5. Less Global Warming.

6. Biodiesel production:

10. Making the biodiesel in lab:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwkVUFs1quk

11. Quality tests:
There are many quality tests used to test the quality of
biodiesel including water content tests, testing oil for
acid content (Biodiesel titration), methanol purity,
Biodiesel conversion test.But we’ll use the glycerol test:
1mL Borax solution+ 2 drops phenol pthaliene solution (ph
ph) + 0.5mL sample. The disappearance of pink color
indicates the presence of glycerol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGPh7T
Jkd4Y

12. Further benefit:
-We can use the glycerol produced or discarded with other waste products from the reaction in
making soap, and for cosmetic purposes.

13. Thank you.