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Canola oil is completely converted to biodiesel fuel - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2011 - Paper 1
Question 9
Canola oil is completely converted to biodiesel fuel. One of the components of this biodiesel is ethyl stearate. Once cooled, the product mixture of the conversion o... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Canola oil is completely converted to biodiesel fuel - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2011 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which of the above chemicals are found in layer B?
Answer
To determine which chemicals are found in layer B, we first need to understand the composition of biodiesel and its by-products.
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Glycerol: This is a by-product of the transesterification process used to make biodiesel and remains in the lower layer (layer B) since it is denser than biodiesel.
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Potassium Hydroxide: This is used as a catalyst in making biodiesel but is usually found mixed in with the final products and not contained in any specific layer after the reaction.
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Ethanol: This is used primarily as a reactant in the making of biodiesel, but it is generally less dense than biodiesel and tends to dissolve in it. Therefore, it would likely be found in layer A, the biodiesel layer.
Based on this breakdown, layer B would contain glycerol but not potassium hydroxide or ethanol.
Thus, the chemicals found in layer B are:
- I only (glycerol).
The answer is A. I and II only.