2008 Woodie Awards
Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative competes for funding
Nate Meltzer
Issue date: 2/5/07 Section: News/Features
The Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative submitted a proposal, which detailed our goal of producing clean, reliable biodiesel for use in the university's fleet of vehicles. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine with no modification. It also burns cleaner than regular diesel fuel, so less harmful emissions are produced, thereby helping prevent global warming.
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is produced by replacing glycerol in vegetable oil with methanol in a process known as transesterification. While it sounds fancy, the process is actually relatively simple.
First, waste vegetable oil is obtained and the chunks of cooked food are strained out. Then, the appropriate amount of methanol is mixed with lye, which serves as a catalyst, and this solution is added to the vegetable oil. The entire oil-methanol-lye solution is then mixed in a large container, and can be heated to increase the reaction speed. Finally, it is left to settle, during which time the biodiesel separates from the glycerin. A layer of glycerin is drained off the bottom, and pure, clean biodiesel is the end result.
Biodiesel has a variety of benefits over traditional diesel fuel. First, it is much cheaper to use. Biodiesel also has a higher flash point, so unlike regular diesel, it won't catch on fire if you hold a match to it. The glycerin byproduct is also the main ingredient in the production of soap, and the members of the Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative also plan to look into soap production.
Not only does the Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative wish to produce biodiesel, but the group also wishes to do so without relying upon traditional sources of energy. The group's proposal is for an "off-the-grid" system, which will rely upon solar panels, solar stills and a diesel generator, which will run on biodiesel to power the processor. While many schools have already implemented biodiesel processors on their campuses, none have yet incorporated off-the-grid systems. The system will also be carbon neutral.
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is produced by replacing glycerol in vegetable oil with methanol in a process known as transesterification. While it sounds fancy, the process is actually relatively simple.
First, waste vegetable oil is obtained and the chunks of cooked food are strained out. Then, the appropriate amount of methanol is mixed with lye, which serves as a catalyst, and this solution is added to the vegetable oil. The entire oil-methanol-lye solution is then mixed in a large container, and can be heated to increase the reaction speed. Finally, it is left to settle, during which time the biodiesel separates from the glycerin. A layer of glycerin is drained off the bottom, and pure, clean biodiesel is the end result.
Biodiesel has a variety of benefits over traditional diesel fuel. First, it is much cheaper to use. Biodiesel also has a higher flash point, so unlike regular diesel, it won't catch on fire if you hold a match to it. The glycerin byproduct is also the main ingredient in the production of soap, and the members of the Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative also plan to look into soap production.
Not only does the Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative wish to produce biodiesel, but the group also wishes to do so without relying upon traditional sources of energy. The group's proposal is for an "off-the-grid" system, which will rely upon solar panels, solar stills and a diesel generator, which will run on biodiesel to power the processor. While many schools have already implemented biodiesel processors on their campuses, none have yet incorporated off-the-grid systems. The system will also be carbon neutral.
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