Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: HellFrozenOver on 07/07/2008 20:11:24

Title: How can I produce dimethylfuran in the lab?
Post by: HellFrozenOver on 07/07/2008 20:11:24

This relates to my previous topic about producing ethanol in the lab.. Im still continuing my research into fuels for my IB Extended Essay topic and after a lot of reading i realized how inefficient ethanol is as a fuel. High volatlity, low energy density and prone to contamination with water. So im thinking instead of me trying to research a way to increase the yeild of ethanol for every piece of biocrop, it would be beter if i researched into dimethylfuran, such as the amount of energy produced per litre and any effects it might have on the engine and the environment.

Can anyone help explain the process for producing it in the lab? And in your opinion.. Which research question would be better to pursue? Increasing the yield of ethanol or pros and cons of dimethylfuran? (note that im still in high school... [:-\])

Thanks

Title: Re: How can I produce dimethylfuran in the lab?
Post by: lightarrow on 07/07/2008 23:32:00

Quote from: HellFrozenOver on 07/07/2008 20:11:24

This relates to my previous topic about producing ethanol in the lab.. Im still continuing my research into fuels for my IB Extended Essay topic and after a lot of reading i realized how inefficient ethanol is as a fuel. High volatlity, low energy density and prone to contamination with water. So im thinking instead of me trying to research a way to increase the yeild of ethanol for every piece of biocrop, it would be beter if i researched into dimethylfuran, such as the amount of energy produced per litre and any effects it might have on the engine and the environment.

Can anyone help explain the process for producing it in the lab? And in your opinion.. Which research question would be better to pursue? Increasing the yield of ethanol or pros and cons of dimethylfuran? (note that im still in high school... [:-\])

Thanks

Have you ever tried propelling your motorbike with methanol?

Title: Re: How can I produce dimethylfuran in the lab?
Post by: HellFrozenOver on 08/07/2008 05:50:31

No.. I dont use a motorbike..

Title: How can I produce dimethylfuran in the lab?
Post by: lightarrow on 08/07/2008 14:16:46

Quote from: HellFrozenOver on 08/07/2008 05:50:31

No.. I dont use a motorbike..

It's a pity. When I was a boy I used to make experiments with several fuels: ethanol/gasoline, pure ethanol, methanol/gasoline, pure methanol, nitromethane/gasoline. The best is methanol: very high octane number, higher energy per unit volume of the fuel/air mix, higher ignitiability, higher cooling (because of the higher vaporization enthalpy). Of course you have to increase the quantity injected and this increases much the consumptions, but the motorbike...fly away.
Those were the days!

Title: How can I produce dimethylfuran in the lab?
Post by: HellFrozenOver on 08/07/2008 18:53:03

Wow.. Maybe i can make like a mini toy vehicle that runs on fuel.. Jus using a simple engine or something.. =) Thanks for the input btw..

Title: How can I produce dimethylfuran in the lab?
Post by: chris on 16/07/2008 17:43:50

Mmm, and how did the engine take to these experiments lightarrow? Does methanol corrode the engine?

Chris