Questions and Answers
Study Notes
Biofuel from Algae
- Algae are targeted by biofuel manufacturers due to their high oil content.
- Extracted oil from algae is known as "green crude," which requires further processing to be usable as fuel.
Trans-Esterification Process
- Trans-esterification is essential for converting green crude into biodiesel.
- This process involves adding alcohol and a chemical catalyst to the crude oil.
- A chemical reaction occurs, forming a blend of biodiesel and glycerol.
Final Processing Steps
- The processing culminates by separating glycerol from the biodiesel mixture.
- The end result is biodiesel that is ready for use as a renewable fuel source.
Algal Deposits in Scotland
- A deposit rich in immature algae from the Central Valley of Scotland has potential for biofuel production.
- The extraction method includes retorting Torbanite, an oil shale also known as Boghead Coal.
- Retorting mobilizes organic matter, yielding an oil-like extract.
Analysis of Extracts
- The oil-like extract has been evaluated using gas chromatography techniques.
- The resultant gas chromatogram indicates characteristics similar to those of mature, relatively light crude oil.
Composition of Oils
- Oils consist of hydrocarbons, non-hydrocarbons that resemble hydrocarbons, and metals.
- Petroleum and its products are complex mixtures with thousands of compounds.
Oil Fractions
- Four primary fractions identified in oils:
- Aliphatics (paraffin-naphthenes)
- Aromatics
- Nitrogen–Oxygen–Sulfur (NSO) compounds
- Asphaltenes
- Asphaltenes are insoluble in solvents and resistant to biodegradation.
Hydrocarbon Types
- Aliphatic hydrocarbons include:
- Normal alkanes (n-alkanes)
- Branched alkanes (isoalkanes)
- Cyclic alkanes (naphthenes)
- Isoalkanes, naphthenes, and aromatics have lower biodegradability compared to n-alkanes.
Hydrocarbon Saturation
- Saturated hydrocarbons are primarily composed of single carbon-carbon bonds, making them stable and unreactive.
- General formula for alkanes: CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms.
- Condensed structural formula examples:
- Butane: CH3CH2CH2CH3 or CH3(CH2)2CH3.
Isoprenoids
- Isoprenoids are branched saturated hydrocarbons used to infer depositional environments.
- Key isoprenoid compounds:
- Pristane (Pr)
- Phytane (Ph)
- Both compounds derive from the common precursor Phytol, with Pristane forming in oxidizing environments and Phytane in reducing environments.
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Description
This quiz explores the process of biofuel production using algae, including the extraction of 'green crude' oil and the trans-esterification process. Understand the chemical reactions involved and the final separation of biodiesel and glycerol. Test your knowledge on this innovative energy source.