Week 2: Determining Calculation Methods

We have found multiple methods that are available in quantifying the efficiency of the conversion process. A simple measurement of the volume of the products after the reaction will inform us of the amount of biodiesel that was created after the reaction took place, keeping in mind that there may be impurities that will interfere with our calculations. These impurities change depending on our type of feedstock as well as the alcohol group we are using. We've decided that the most detailed analysis of the product biodiesel would be to measure the energy density. Today's fuel sources utilize a standard that indicates the power output in mega joules per given kilogram of fuel. This ranges from 4.6 MJ/kg for trinitrotoluene (TNT explosive), to 330,000,000 MJ/kg for Deuterium-Tritium nuclear fusion reactions. This rating is an energy density. In order to measure energy density, the method of calorimetry is used. This relatively simple method of measuring energy density requires us to find the change in heat of water when the biodiesel is burned. A mathematical calculation is performed, incorporating the change in mass and temperature, yielding the energy density. In an engineering standpoint, we are conflicted with the design of the low cost calorimeter. Considering this method requires burning our biodiesel, we must determine the most efficient method of transferring this heat to the the water, to measure the change in heat