leXsolar-BioFuel Large

The entire process of the production of organic fuels can be displayed with leXsolar-BioFuel Large. It starts with the biological step of alcohol fermentation. Afterwards the produced mash will be distilled with the help of the leXsolar-condenser, which was developed just for this experiment. The last step demonstrates the conversion of the produced biofuel into usable energy, such as electrical energy, using the provided Ethanol-fuel cell.

leXsolar-BioFuel Large not only covers the topic of the production of bioethanol, but also the production of biodiesel through transesterification of fats.

Key data

• Production of biofuel displayed in experiments for students
• Covers bioethanol and biodiesel production
• Interdisciplinary experiments for chemistry, physics and biology
• Includes an Ethanol-fuel cell for the generation of electrical energy out of biofuel

Components

• Erlenmeyer flask, 1 liter, with distilling head
• leXsolar-condenser
• fermentation lock
• Hydrometer for ethanol and sugar
• Plug with hose
• Yeast
• leXsolar ethanol fuel cell
• leXsolar potentiometer module

Experiments

Part 1: Biodiesel production

• Transesterification from fat to Biodiesel (FAME)
• Determination of fat parameters
• Extraction of fats from foods and oil plants

Part 2: Alcohol fermentation

• Production of a mash/ alcoholic fermentation
• Fermentation of different sugar types (including catalytic splitting of starch)
• Proof of fermentation gases
• Nachweis von Gärgasen

Part 3: Distillation and production of Bioethanol

• Distillation of mash
• Characteristics of the produced Ethanol

Part 4: Ethanol fuels

• Introduction Ethanol fuel cell
• I-V curve of Ethanol fuel cells
• Dependency of Ethanol fuel cells on concentration and temperature
• Energy balance of the whole process

Extras needed

• Stand (foot, rods, clamps)
• Measuring cylinder (25 ml and 50 ml)
• Bunsen burner
• Laboratory thermometer
• Beaker, 500 ml
• Funnel
• Filter paper
• Spatula or spoon
• Raw material: Sugar, potatoes
• Calcium hydroxide

Extras available

• L3-03-096 Student´s manual leXsolar-BioFuel Large
• L3-03-103 Teacher´s manual leXsolar-BioFuel Large

Age: 14 - 19 years