SAGAR PUBLIC SCHOOL
KATARA EXTENSION, BHOPAL
Session :- 2025-26
CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Topic :- Biodiesel Formation: A
Sustainable Fuel for a Cleaner Future
SUBMITTED BY:
SUBMITTED ТО:
NAME: Jayveer Shrivastava
Ms. Tanya Kori CLASS: XI A
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers for their
meticulous guidance and constant motivation which went a long way
in the successful completion of my project on the topic - "Biodiesel
Formation: A Sustainable Fuel for a Cleaner Future".
I cannot move on without thanking our Principal ma'am Mrs. Prachi
Varma, for creating the required academic environment which made
my goal achievable.
I would also like to thank my parents and friends who have
supported me unconditionally through the various phases of the
project.
:-Jayveer Shrivastava
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Jayveer Shrivastava of Class XI A has
successfully completed the Chemistry Investigatory project
entitled "Biodiesel Formation: A Sustainable Fuel for a Cleaner
Future"
Under the guidance of Ms. Tanya Kori during the academic
session 2025-26 in partial fulfillment of chemistry practical
examination conducted by AISSCЕ.
Examiner's Signature
Teacher's signature Principal's signature
INDEX
S. No. Contents
1 Introduction
2 What is Biodiesel?
3 Sources of Biodiesel
4 Chemical Composition of Biodiesel
5 Transesterification Process
6 Steps of Biodiesel Formation
7 Advantages of Biodiesel
8 Limitations of Biodiesel
9 Applications of Biodiesel
10 Environmental Impact
11 Conclusion
12 Bibliography
1. 🌱 Introduction :-
Biodiesel is an eco-friendly, renewable, and biodegradable fuel
produced from natural sources such as vegetable oils, animal
fats, or algae. It is considered a clean alternative to petroleum-
based diesel due to its reduced environmental impact. Biodiesel
can be used in diesel engines with little or no modification,
making it a practical choice for sustainable fuel.
2. 🧪 What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a long-chain fatty acid ester derived from natural
oils and fats. Chemically, it is known as Fatty Acid Methyl
Esters (FAME). It is produced through a chemical process
known as transesterification, which converts triglycerides
(fats/oils) into biodiesel using alcohol (usually methanol) and a
catalyst (such as NaOH or KOH).
3. 🌾 Sources of Biodiesel
Biodiesel can be made from a variety of renewable sources:
Vegetable Oils – Soybean, rapeseed, sunflower, and palm
oil.
Animal Fats – Tallow, lard, and fish oil.
Used Cooking Oil – Recycled oil from food industries.
Algae – High-yield oil-producing microorganisms.
These sources are rich in triglycerides, the essential component
for biodiesel production.
4. ⚗️ Chemical Composition
The main constituents of biodiesel are Fatty Acid
Methyl Esters (FAME). They are produced when
triglycerides (found in oils/fats) react with methanol in
the presence of a base catalyst (like NaOH). The
general formula is:
Triglyceride + Methanol → Glycerol + Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (Biodiesel)
5. ⚙️ Transesterification Process
This is the core process of biodiesel production.
Steps Involved:
[Link] Pre-treatment – Removing water and impurities from
the feedstock.
[Link] – Methanol is mixed with a catalyst (NaOH or
KOH).
[Link] – The catalyst-alcohol mix is added to oil. The
mixture is stirred and heated (~60°C).
[Link] – The mixture separates into two layers:
Biodiesel (top) and Glycerol (bottom).
[Link] – Biodiesel is washed to remove excess alcohol
and catalyst.
STEPS FOR BIODIESEL FORMATION
Step 1: Feedstock Selection & Pre-treatment:-
Feedstock such as vegetable oil, used cooking oil, or animal fat is
selected. Water and free fatty acids (FFA) are removed through
heating and filtration, as they can interfere with the reaction.
Moisture is evaporated by heating the oil to around 110°C, and
solid particles are filtered out.
Step 2: Catalyst Preparation:-
A strong base such as NaOH or KOH is mixed with methanol to
form sodium methoxide or potassium methoxide, which serves as
the catalyst. This is done carefully since methoxide is highly
reactive.
Step 3: Transesterification Reaction:-
The methoxide solution is added to the pre-treated oil. The
mixture is stirred vigorously and heated to about 55–60°C. The
reaction is maintained for 1–2 hours. During this period, the
triglycerides are broken down, and glycerol begins to separate
from the biodiesel.
Step 4: Separation:-
After the reaction, the mixture is allowed to settle. Two layers
form due to the difference in densities:
The top layer is biodiesel.
The bottom layer is glycerol.
The layers are separated carefully using a separating funnel or
decantation.
Step 5: Purification of Biodiesel:-
The biodiesel is washed with warm water to remove excess
methanol, catalyst, and soap residues. After washing, it is dried
using mild heating or under vacuum to eliminate remaining
moisture.
Step 5: Purification of Biodiesel:-
The biodiesel is washed with warm water to remove excess
methanol, catalyst, and soap residues. After washing, it is dried
using mild heating or under vacuum to eliminate remaining
moisture.
[ Feedstock Oil ]
↓
[ Pre-treatment: Filter + Dehydrate ]
↓
[ Add Catalyst + Methanol → Sodium Methoxide ]
↓
[ Heat & Stir: Transesterification (55–60°C) ]
↓
[ Settling Tank ]
↓
┌───────────────────────────
──┐
│ Top Layer: Biodiesel │
│ Bottom Layer: Glycerol│
└───────────────────────────
──┘
↓
[ Washing & Drying of Biodiesel ]
↓
Final Pure Biodiesel
Step 6: Quality Testing:-
The final biodiesel product is tested for pH, viscosity, flash point,
and cloud point to ensure it meets fuel standards like ASTM
D6751 or EN 14214.
8. ✅ Advantages of Biodiesel:-
[Link]-friendly – Reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 78%.
[Link] – Made from plant and animal fats.
[Link] – Breaks down naturally.
[Link] Sulphur Content – Reduces air pollution.
[Link] Compatibility – Can be used in diesel engines with
little modification (e.g., B20 blend).
9. ⚠️ Limitations of Biodiesel:-
[Link] Production Cost – Feedstock and processing cost are
high.
[Link] Weather Performance – May solidify at low
temperatures.
[Link] Use Concerns – Use of edible oils raises food vs. fuel
debate.
[Link] Issues – Long-term use may cause filter clogging.
10. 🚗 Applications of Biodiesel:-
[Link] Fuel – Blended as B20 (20% biodiesel +
80% diesel).
[Link] Use – Used in backup generators and machinery.
[Link] – Alternative to furnace oil in heating systems.
[Link] and Aviation – Experimental applications in ships
and aircrafts.
11. 🌍 Environmental Impact:-
[Link] Greenhouse Gases – Significant reduction in CO₂,
NOx, SO₂.
[Link] Toxic Emissions – Safer for humans and animals.
[Link] Utilization – Reuses waste oil from kitchens/industries.
[Link] Dependence on Fossil Fuels – Helps in energy
security.
12. 🧾 Conclusion:-
Biodiesel is a clean, renewable fuel with great potential to replace
conventional diesel. Its production through transesterification
offers a sustainable approach to energy generation. Despite some
limitations, its environmental advantages make it a crucial
component in the transition to green energy.
13. 📚 Bibliography:-
[Link] Chemistry Textbook – Class 11 & 12
[Link] Biodiesel Board – [Link]
3.“Biodiesel Production and Use” – Scientific American
[Link] of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India
[Link] of Renewable Energy Research (JRR)
