Feasibility Study of Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas) As a Source of

BioethanolDel Castillo, Sophia Therese M.

Lacandalo, Janielle Therese Y.

Sicat, Chrizelle Jane R.

August, 2014

IntroductionIn our advanced era, a large portion of our things need fuel particularly to perform mechanical work. Fuel is a substance that can be closed up to create vitality as hotness or force. The general public by and large uses fuel for autos, machines and all other supplies which are, no doubt run by fuel. Despite the fact that fuel is a vital component in the general public it additionally brings issues to the mankind, in the same way as natural perils, value trek, corrosive downpour, wellbeing issues and so forth. Fuel additionally has weaknesses to nature. A substance for substitution of fuel called Bioethanol is an alternative source of fuel that is derived from the fermentation of plant starches that is why it is eco-friendly.

Bioethanol is not destructive to the environment and has a lesser expense. By expanding the creation of bioethanol, the country economy would likewise get a help from developing the essential harvests thus, it can help agriculturists and their family monetarily. Moreover, it is also far less toxic than fossil fuel and can help reduce the amount of carbon monoxide produced by the vehicles, machines, factories, and all other equipment which are being run by fuel thus improving the quality of air. It benefits energy sources. Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) contains starches so if it is fermented and distilled then the researchers can produce bioethanol hence, creating an eco-friendly alternative source of fuel at the same time affordable that can bring good benefits for machines and the society.

Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) contains starches so if it is fermented and distilled then the researchers can produce bioethanol hence, creating an eco-friendly alternative source of fuel at the same time affordable that can bring good benefits for machines and the society. In this study, the researchers would like to know the effectiveness of bioethanol produced by sweet potato (Ipomea batatas).

Scope and Limitation

The scope is to produce bioethanol from distilled and fermented sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) . It also includes its boiling point, ph level, flammability, longevity of combustion, polarity, solubility, and density. The produced bioethanol will not be tested or experimented on machines, vehicles or any other equipment that is run by fuel.

Significance of the StudyThis study presents the advantages of bioehtanol to the society.

Drivers of vehicles

It will help drivers spend less fuel and can result to higher income and a better future. Machines such as generators and etc.

This will produce less pollution and help save mother earth. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Compared to gasoline, bioethanol cuts carbon dioxide by 90% on average, thus less air pollution and ozone depletion.

Better performance

Ethanol is a high-octane fuel that helps prevent engine knocking and generates more power in higher compression engines.

Lower petroleum usage

Ethanol reduces global dependence on oil. It is a good option for diversifying energy supplies.

With a 113 octane rating, ethanol is the highest performance fuel on the market and keeps today's high-compression engines running smoothly.

Ethanol-blended fuel keeps your fuel system clean for optimal performance because it does not leave gummy deposits.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK• Previous studies about producing bioethanol used different sources such as

fruits, root crops and other sources of starch and sucrose. • Sriroth and Piyachomkwan in Thailand, 2012 studied the Unhydrolyzed

Cassava (Manihot esculente) starch and Sorghum, a genus of numerous species of grasses in the production of bioethanol.

• Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) is a dicotyledonous plant. It’s large, starchy and sweet-tasting. It is rich in carbohydrates, hence, rich in starch and sugar.

• The theory of the researchers is that since the production of bioethanol needs sugar or starch and the main sources of sugar required to produce ethanol comes from plants with starch like crops then sweet potato(Ipomea batatas) can be a reliable source for starch, therefore, the capability and possibility to produce bioethanol.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

•Sweet potato(Ipomea batatas)

DEPENDENT VARIABLES

•Boiling point•pH level•Flammability•Longevity of combustion•Polarity•Solubility•Density

MODERATING VARIABLES

•Amount of Sweet potato(Ipomea batatas) •Temperature

DEFINITION OF TERMS• Bioethanol

• is a readily available, clean fuel for combustion engines made from plant-based feed stocks.

• Product of the study .

• Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas)• the source of sugar or starch for the study.

• Fermentation • is process which sugar is concentrated into energy and thereby produce ethanol.• the process used in the study to produce bioethanol.

CHAPTER IIREVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND

STUDIES: Related Literature

• Bioethanol or simply 'ethanol' is a renewable energy source made by fermenting the sugar and starch components of plant by-products - mainly sugarcane and crops like grain, using yeast in a process called fermentation.

• Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) represents an important biomass resource for fuel alcohol production, because of its chemical composition and high density of starch, compared to other forms of biomass, and thus premise as an alternative bioresource for the production of ethanol through fermentation (Hang, et al. 1981, 1986; Roukas 1994).

Related Studies

• Decir, Hajim and Toribio (2013) of Pilar College made a study using Taro (Colocasia esculenta), sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), and the mixture of both for the production of bioethanol.

• J.A. Quinteroa, M.I. Montoyaa, O.J. Sáncheza, b, O.H. Giraldoc, C.A. Cardonaa’s research about Fuel ethanol production from sugarcane and corn.

CHAPTER IIIMETHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research design, material that are to be used, research locale and tests that were administered, sampling techniques and statistical methods of the study. This chapter shows us the different data that the researchers will be handling on in order to satisfy the inquiry of this study.

SUBJECT OF THE STUDY

This study was focused on the feasibility of the fermented and distilled sweet potato (Ipomea Batatas) as source of bioethanol.

RESEARCH SAMPLING

The researcher used a non-probability sampling method because the samples will be chosen through a process and involves non-random methods in the selection of elements. This will provide the researchers with more accurate and precise data to support their study because the research follows a certain process to enable the researchers to correctly gather data and successfully execute the experiment.

RESEARCH LOCALE

This study was conducted at the Science Laboratory of the High School Department at Pillar College, R.T Lim Boulevard Zamboanga City.(figure 2 map of the Philippines and the location of Pilar College Zamboanga City)

RESEARCH DESIGN

The researchers used the experimental research design because the researchers will be doing experimentations to produce bioethanol from sweet potato (Ipomea batatas). (figure 3)

Design the experiment in producing bioethanol from the sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) and for

gathering data.Conduct the experiment following the design and

the procedure.

Collect the data from the experimentations done without any alterations.

Analyze the data collected carefully.

Interpret the results after analyzing all the data collected from the experimentations.

Verify the hypothesis if bioethanol can be produced from sweet potato (Ipomea batatas).

Conclude the study after verifying the hypothesis and make recommendations for future researchers that want to make a study involving the production

of bioethanol.Figure 3 Experimental Research Design

Define the problem of the study

Determine Objectives needed so that the researchers will not go off track

Materials:1. Sweet potato (Ipomea Batatas) 8. pH meter

2. Yeast (30g) 9. Thermometer

3. Evaporating Dish 10. Match

4 .Beaker 11. Blender

5. Graduated Cylinder 12. Distilling Set-up

6. Test tube 13. Wool cloth/fur

7. Stirring Rod 14. Burette

PROCEDRURES:

Fermentation

1.Juice-out the sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) .2.Place the sample on a container.3.Divide the yeast equally and pour it in the container, then

stir it.4.After fermenting the sample, filter the mixture using a

filter paper to isolate the solid yeast form the fermented sweet potato.

Distillation

1.Collect the filtrate.

2.Gradually refine the excess at 78 degree centigrade.

3.Collect the distillate.

pH Level

1.Using the pH meter measure the pH level of the distillate.

Flammability

1.Pour 10mL of the produced ethanol in a Petri dish.2.Light or ignite the ethanol using a lighter or a match.3.Then observe the ethanol if it reacts to the lighter or if it

produces flames.

Polarity1.Fill the burette with the produced ethanol.2.Place a beaker beneath the jet of the burette so that it can catch the

ethanol.3.Rub the plastic rod/balloon/glass rod with a wool cloth or fur. This will

give it a negative charge.4.Remove the cork or open the stopcock of the burette to allow a

stream of ethanol to fall.5.Bring the charged rod close to the stream and note any deflection on

the flow.

Ex. Water is a polar molecule that’s why when exposed to a charged rod the water deflects or bends towards the rod because the positively charged ends is attracted to the negatively charged rod.

Solubility

1.Add 6 drops of water to the test tube containing the ethanol.

2.Then stir it with a stirring rod and note if it will form a homogenous solution with water or if it will remain as a separate phase.

Density

1.Put 100mL of ethanol in a graduated cylinder.2.Find the mass of the ethanol. Weigh it with the graduated

cylinder.3.To find the density divide the mass by the volume of the

ethanol.

Longevity of Combustion

1.Pour 100mL of ethanol in a container then light it with a match or lighter.

2.Note how long the ethanol will burn or produce flames.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDUREDATA MATRIX

Set-upBoiling

point

pH level Flammabil

ity

Polarity Solu-bilty Density Longe-vity

of combus-

tion

Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas)

Figure 4.1 Data Matrix

Figure 4.2 Data of Commercial Bioethanol

Set-upBoiling

point

pH level Flammabil

ity

Polarity Solu-bilty Density Longe-vity

of combus-

tion

Commer-cial Bioetha-nol

78.37ºC pH 7

in water

Flammable Polar Miscible in

water

0.798 g/cm3

5-7 hours (2

liters)or

15-21min.

(100mL)

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