Methanol in Biodiesel Production
Biodiesel is commonly produced via the transesterification process. This involves reacting vegetable oil (a triglyceride) with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst.
The alcohol used is typically a simple alcohol like methanol (CH3OH) or ethanol. The catalyst is usually a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH).
To prepare the reaction mixture, the sodium hydroxide (lye) is first dissolved in the alcohol, commonly methanol. This alkaline alcohol solution is then introduced to the vegetable oil.
Methanol is frequently chosen for this process because it is cost-effective and readily available, facilitating the efficient conversion of vegetable oil into biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters) and glycerol.
Therefore, the substance containing sodium hydroxide (lye) solution mixed with vegetable oil in biodiesel making is methanol.
Important Questions from Renewable Energy
In a flat-plate solar collector, the energy losses are due to
(i) Conduction
(ii) Convection
(iii) Radiation
Choose the correct answer from the code given below :
The number of sites suitable for harnessing tidal power in the world is limited to about
- Arrange the following regions on the basis of the availability of India's potential wind energy (GW) in 2022-23 in descending order :
A. Northern Region
B. Eastern Region
C. Sourthern Region
D. Western Region
Choose the correct answer from the options given below : - Which of the following biomass conversion processes produces biogas from crop residues ?
- Which among the following is superior carbon fixer per unit area for bioenergy generation ?
