Science Inventory

Impact/Purpose:

Wide scale biodiesel use presents a dramatic set of benefits to society including reduced pollution from fuel production and use, increased domestic employment and economic gain in the fuel production sector, and increased energy security. Phase II will address these barriers by creating and piloting long-term biodiesel educational programming, academic activities, public education, and research. Through these programs our multi-disciplinary team will address the major challenges facing the widespread adoption of biodiesel: lack of hands-on opportunities in biofuels education; lack of sustainable and sufficient feedstocks to meet projected demand; and systemic public misunderstanding of biodiesel.

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To meet these objectives our core strategy in phase II is to convert the processing facility built in phase I into a state of the art closed-loop biodiesel lab which will be called the Appalachian State University Biodiesel Education and Research Lab (BERL). The creation of BERL will ensure that this P3 award will have a lasting impact.

Innovative components of this project are:

• A lecture-and-lab course entitled “Introduction to Biofuels Technology” will be taught in spring 2007 and proposed for inclusion in the Appropriate Technology curriculum.
• Installation of a state-of-the-art data acquisition system for system monitoring.
• PV/generator hybrid renewable electricity system for off-grid production.
• Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR-spec.) real-time reaction monitoring will allow for advanced education and research of the transesterification reaction.
• Feedstocks: A Trailer-mounted seed press will expand suitable oilseed crop research while collaborating with Agriculture Extension and local Farmers.
• Conduct a feasibility study on the adaptation of an algae-based photo-bioreactor.
• A fuel sample distribution program will provide small quantities of fuel, as well as technical assistance to key off-road sectors: home heating and farm equipment.

To meet these objectives our core strategy in phase II is to convert the processing facility built in phase I into a state of the art closed-loop biodiesel lab which will be called the Appalachian State University Biodiesel Education and Research Lab (BERL). The creation of BERL will ensure that this P3 award will have a lasting impact.

Innovative components of this project are:

• A lecture-and-lab course entitled “Introduction to Biofuels Technology” will be taught in spring 2007 and proposed for inclusion in the Appropriate Technology curriculum.
• Installation of a state-of-the-art data acquisition system for system monitoring.
• PV/generator hybrid renewable electricity system for off-grid production.
• Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR-spec.) real-time reaction monitoring will allow for advanced education and research of the transesterification reaction.
• Feedstocks: A Trailer-mounted seed press will expand suitable oilseed crop research while collaborating with Agriculture Extension and local Farmers.
• Conduct a feasibility study on the adaptation of an algae-based photo-bioreactor.
• A fuel sample distribution program will provide small quantities of fuel, as well as technical assistance to key off-road sectors: home heating and farm equipment.

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