Abstract
Methods/Materials
Titration for free fatty acids and a filtering process mimicking a typical fuel system lays the groundwork for a model that predicts the relationship between free fatty acid values and polymerization of fuel. For the purposes of this study, established diesel sources and biodiesel made from soybean oil were used in order to limit confounding factors. Rather than wait for the fuel to degrade, degradation was induced in samples through alternating cycles of exposure to heat and cold.
Results
As environmental stresses were placed on the fuel, there was a general upward trend in fatty acid concentration. In terms of filtration, there was a decrease in the amount of fuel filtered in the set amount of time, though minimal.
Conclusions/Discussion
From the data obtained from free fatty acid determination, thermal stress of the fuel had a considerable effect. Although flow was not significantly correlated with increased free fatty acids initially, the clear trend that free fatty acids had with time could be modeled. The magnitude of the results are seen in comparison to the free fatty acid value of stored biodiesel. In future studies, opacity and color may also serve as indicators of flow restriction and degradation.
Free fatty acids released by chemical reactions in biodiesel fuel should be an accurate determinant of fuel degradation.
Science Fair Project done By Leneve Ong