Bioethanol/Biodiesel

For the bioethanol lab, we went to the Willet Science Center to create our own homemade bioethanol. The process is much easier than one would think. We took banana fibers and ground them up in a blender, then added yeast. With a balloon attached to a pipe that was placed inside the closed container, we were able to observe the process of fermentation that took place inside the container.  

Here you can see the process of bioethanol that takes place, which results in a sustainable cycle.

The goal of using bioethanol is to create a sustainable energy source that helps the environment, compared to petroleum. The banana fibers are a leftover product in the harvest of the banana, and with its continued use after harvest, we are able to make a fuel source that derives from the CO2 emitted from cars. This cycle is fascinating, as it allows for a continuous cycle of renewable and sustainable energy that does not hurt the environment.