Enhancing Biodiesel Production from Soybean Oil using Ultrasonics
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the effect of high-powered ultrasonics on enhancing biodiesel production from soybean oil. In this study, soybean oil was mixed with methanol and sodium hydroxide and was sonicated at 3 amplitude levels of the ultrasonic (60µm pp , 120µm pp and 180µm pp ) in a pulse mode (5 seconds on/25 seconds off). The results were compared to a control group where the same reactant composition was allowed to react at 60ºC for intervals ranging from 5 minutes to 1 hour with no ultrasonic treatment. It was observed that ultrasonic treatment resulted in a 96% yield (percent conversion to biodiesel) in less than approximately 90 s; compared to 5 to 10 minutes for the control sample. The highest yield was obtained from sonicating the mixture at 120µm pp amplitude.
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This is an ASABE Meeting Presentation, Paper No. 084374.