Optimizing Ethanol's Heat Production

Table of Contents

Team information and abstract

Introduction

Purpose

Hypothesis

Materials

Procedure

Observations

Analysis

Discussion

Conclusion

Source of Error

Applications of Experiment

Further Research

Acknowledgements

References

Hypothesis:

             The mixture between Ethanol and Hydrogen Peroxide will be stable. Ethanol has a polar hydroxyl group and a non polar hydrocarbon structure and so will dissolve both polar and nonpolar substances. Thus, the hydrogen peroxide will dissolve in ethanol. Because hydrogen peroxide breaks down to form oxygen gas and water, this will be favourable for a combustion reaction which requires oxygen gas. The surplus of oxygen gas will aid in ethanol’s combustible properties and create a higher energy. Octane is a long hydrocarbon chain consisting of 8 carbons. Ethanol contains 2 carbons. On a mole to mole ratio, ethanol produces a cleaner burn but with the added hydrogen peroxide which produces oxygen gas, more complete combustions will occur and thus there will be less of both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.