Going Green, Fuel Style!!

The Test of Alcohol & Lamp Oil

Tagen Bryant, Ernest McDonald, Lauren Reed,

Eric Wickliffe

Introduction

Gas prices on rise

Average: $4.10

Gasoline is infecting the environment

By testing the energy output of denatured alcohol and lamp oil, we are able to tell which form of fuel is the better buy. However, we need to find a fuel that will not hinder the environment. In this test we were also able to watch the fuels burn and see which fuel burned cleaner. Both fuels that are being tested are lower & safer forms of the ethanol and petroleum gas.

Purpose

Hypothesis

If we burn each fuel for 7 minutes then, the alcohol will burn cleaner, but produce less thermal output and lamp oil will burn dirtier, but produce more thermal output.

Denatured Alcohol

Uses:• To kill insects• In mouthwash• For camp stoves• To remove excess dust

from sanding wood

Advantages:

Low cost, its ability to be extinguished by water, and its easier to transport

Disadvantages:

Hazardous because the flames are invisible.

Lamp OilUses:• Emergency indoor

lighting• Mood Lighting• Alternative to candles

Advantages:

None

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than denatured alcohol

Materials• 1L Hydrocarbon• 1L Biofuel• 1 Thermometer • 1 Stopwatch • Water (in

excess)• Ice

• 1 Alcohol Burner• 1 Erlin Meyer Flask• 1 Stand • 1 Clamp• 1 Coffee Can

(calorimeter)

Procedure1. Cool 125mL water to 17⁰C.2. Set up stand and clamp on flat surface.3. Put 200mL degenerated alcohol into

alcohol burner and place under stand. 4. Put chilled water and calorimeter can on

stand above alcohol burner.5. Take initial temperature of water and

weight of burner. 6. Light burner and begin stopwatch.

Procedure Cont’d7. Heat water for 7 minutes.8. Take temperature of water immediately after 7

minutes.9. Take weight of alcohol burner recording all data

and observations.10. Repeat steps 4 through 9 for At least 2 more

trials.11. Repeat steps 3 through 9, replacing alcohol with

hydrocarbon in step 3, and its trials.12. Calculate the thermal output in calories per

grams used

Results

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

Alcohol HC Fuel

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

AlcoholTrial 1: 1197.605 cal/gTrial 2: 1186.260 cal/gTrial 3: 1345.609 cal/g

Hydrocarbon FuelTrial 1: 1577.670 cal/gTrial 2: 1580.135 cal/gTrial 3: 1735.358 cal/g

Results Cont’d

0200400600800

10001200140016001800

Average

Alcohol

HC F uel

C olumn3

AverageAlcohol – 1243.158 cal/gHC Fuel – 1631.054cal/g

Conclusion

Our hypothesis was proven correct.Things that could have been done if

we had more time and resources:Use ethanol and petroleum gasMix two fuels to see if thermal output is higher or lower than the other two.

Citations• http://www.mygtv.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/0

4/ap_gas_price1_070521_ms.jpg• http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2514770621_1

aca2f2565.jpg?v=0• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatured_alcohol• http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-lamp-oil.htm

Thanks!!!

• Mrs. Morgan

• Mrs. Scott

• Mr. Dain

• Mr. Smith

• Ms. Gallegos

• Ms. Johnson

• Mrs. Gossage