DEMONSTRATING THE FEASIBILITY OF A BIOFUEL: PRODUCTION AND USE OF BIODIESEL FROM WASTE OIL FEEDSTOCK AND BIO-BASED METHANOL AT MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
Impact/Purpose:
The intent of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility, production, and use of a fuel with significantly fewer emissions: biodiesel. Specifically, we plan to research whether biodiesel can be derived from waste cooking oil and bio-based methanol.
Description:
Fossil fuel combustion results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Currently, the earth is experiencing unprecedented, human-induced changes in the atmosphere with consequent and threatening changes to its climate. This event is due, in large part, to fossil fuel emissions.
Record Details:
Record Type:PROJECT(
ABSTRACT
)
Start Date:09/30/2004
Completion Date:05/30/2005
Record ID:
87879
Keywords:
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, COMMUNITY-BASED, ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY, GLOBAL CLIMATE, GREEN CHEMISTRY, NITROGEN OXIDES, NORTHEAST, RENEWABLE, TRANSPORTATION, VERMONT,
Related Organizations:
Role
:OWNER
Organization Name
:MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
Mailing Address
:Old Chapel
Citation
:Middlebury
State
:VT
Zip Code
:5753
Project Information:
Approach
:We will investigate the chemical, economic, and geographic feasibility of biodiesel production based on current waste oil–cooking oil collected from our campus and local community. In addition we will test the hypothesis that the key catalyst in biodiesel production, methanol, can be derived from a bacterial source, furthering our goal of a waste-based, bio-based fuel. In addition to this research, we will investigate the effectiveness of biodiesel in campus diesel engines and house furnaces, currently burning #2 fuel oil. Effectiveness will be assessed using air emissions and BTU production. Further, we will examine how economically feasible biodiesel is, given Middlebury College’s carbon reduction initiative, and the significant reduction in carbon and carbon equivalents with biodiesel use.
Cost
:$7,560.00
Research Component
:Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development
Approach
:
We will investigate the chemical, economic, and geographic feasibility of biodiesel production based on current waste oil–cooking oil collected from our campus and local community. In addition we will test the hypothesis that the key catalyst in biodiesel production, methanol, can be derived from a bacterial source, furthering our goal of a waste-based, bio-based fuel. In addition to this research, we will investigate the effectiveness of biodiesel in campus diesel engines and house furnaces, currently burning #2 fuel oil. Effectiveness will be assessed using air emissions and BTU production. Further, we will examine how economically feasible biodiesel is, given Middlebury College’s carbon reduction initiative, and the significant reduction in carbon and carbon equivalents with biodiesel use.
Cost
:$7,560.00
Research Component
:P3 Challenge Area - Energy
Project IDs:
ID Code
:SU831893
Project type
:EPA Grant