Biofuel production has increased significantly in several countries in recent decades. Different evaluation techniques are required for their characterization. The study measures the properties of the obtained biodiesel and a commercial diesel sample, using the techniques of open circuit potential, linear scanning voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The transesterification reaction between sunflower oil and methanol was carried out with ultrasound as the energy source. The determination of triglyceride conversion to biodiesel is performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), obtaining up to 99.79% with a yield of 93.40% at a transesterification temperature of 50 C for 60 min with a methanol/oil molar ratio of 6:1. The potassium hydroxide catalyst concentration was 1.0 g catalyst/100 g oil. The biodiesel samples generally showed open circuit potential (OCP) values less than 790 mV and stabilization time less than 120 s, Linear sweep voltammograms (LSV) show no reaction peaks with current densities on the order of NanoAmpere, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed a capacitive system with impedances on the order of MΩ cm at low frequency; This information could help characterize biofuels and other similar materials.
Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it is not possible to find it in its purest state in nature. In this study, two-stage experimentation was carried out. The first stage was hydrogen production. The second stage was an electrochemical process to hydrogenate soybean oil in a PEM fuel cell. In the fist stage a Zirfon Perl UTP 500 membrane was used in an alkaline hydrolizer of separated gas to produce hydrogen, achieving 9.6 L/min compared with 5.1 L/min, the maximum obtained using a conventional membrane. The hydrogen obtained was used in the second stage to feed the fuel cell hydrogenating the soybean oil. Hydrogenated soybean oil showed a substantial diminished iodine index from 131 to 54.85, which represents a percentage of 58.13. This happens when applying a voltage of 90 mV for 240 min, constant temperature of 50 °C and one atm. This result was obtained by depositing 1 mg of Pt/cm in the cathode of the fuel cell. This system represents a viable alternative for the use of hydrogen in energy generation.
Jet fuel production is a key element in the aviation industry’s strategy to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts. Alternatives are required, and bioturbosine obtained from biomass can replace significant amounts of jet fuel. In this investigation, the properties of the production of bioturbosine from coconut oil and mixtures of B5, B10, B20, B1OO, bottom, and jet fuel were measured according to the ASTM standards. A transesterification reaction between coconut oil and methanol was carried out using ultrasound, resulting in 99.93% conversion of triglycerides into bioturbosine at room temperature for 10 min, with a 6:1 molar ratio of methanol and oil. The catalyst concentration was 1.0 g/100 g of oil, and purification was carried out without water using an ion-exchange resin to remove impurities. The results obtained for density and viscosity were within the regulations. The temperature of the clogging point for a cold filter in the mixtures was up to −30 °C. The average caloric values of mixtures B5, B10, and B20 were 45,042, 44,546, and 43,611 MJ/Kg, respectively. In a copper corrosion test, the result for all samples was class 1A. It is expected that the results of this research may influence the use of bioturbosine in the aviation industry.