Biodiesel and Bioethanol in the Making

In lab 10, we focused on making biodiesel and bioethanol.. pretty cool! So, for my blog assignment, I decided to do some deeper digging about the two biofuels. 

• Biodiesel: is a renewable, cleaner-burning biofuel that is primarily produced from a chemical reaction of alcohol (usually methanol) and a range of fats that include vegetable or animal oils and plant extracts like corn, sunflowers, soybeans, canola, etc. This reaction gets rid of the by-product glycerin which is not suitable for the engines through a refinery process called "transesterification". During the transesterification process, other byproducts like methyl esters are also left behind. Biodiesel is then free from sulfur and aromatics which are contained in regular fuels that will facilitate in the reduction of harmful emissions from diesel engines. Biodiesel is non-hazardous, simple, renewable, sustainable, nonflammable, affordable and cleaner!
• Bioethanol: is an alcohol fuel derived from sugars found in crops such as rice, potato skins and sugarcane and it is commonly made from corn, sorghum and wheat. Corn is commonly the base material in the United States because it is affordable and available. But in Brazil, sugarcane is widely used. Since it is produced from plants, it is biodegradable and renewable. It is a clear, colorless alternative alcohol. So, how do we make it? The fermentation of sugars and starch in corn with the use of yeast is the most frequently method used. From starch, it is fermented into sugar, afterwards it is fermented again into alcohol. The dry mill method seems to be the most popular making method! 
• For instructions on making biodiesel and bioethanol one can visit http://journeytoforever.org/ethanol.html for more info!