Grantee Research Project Results
Innovative Biodiesel Production: A Solution to the Scientific, Technical, and Educational Challenges of Sustainability
EPA Grant Number: SU833522Title: Innovative Biodiesel Production: A Solution to the Scientific, Technical, and Educational Challenges of Sustainability
Investigators: Tuchman, Nancy C. , Larkin, Daniel
Current Investigators: Tuchman, Nancy C. , Coffman, Elizabeth A. , Krogh, Marilyn C. , Lishawa, Shane C. , Hayford, Marc D. , Khishfe, Rola F. , Peterson, Christopher G. , Varty, Alison K. , Kiley, Maeve M. , Eames, James Marshall , Frendreis, John P. , Rease, Akibu , Galanter, Amy , Fairgrieve, Andrew , Anderson, Blake , Stamm, Cameron , Hoeft, Christopher , Stowell, Cindy , Larkin, Daniel , Crumrine, David , Miceli, David , Ringholm, Elisa , Wilk, Emily , Deresinski, Greg , Weremijewicz, Joanna , Shea, John , Jarrot, John , Saliba, John , Kenkell, Julie , Krukowski, Kamil , Murphy, Kelly , Berthold, Laura , Burkhalter, Lauryn , Beasley, Luke , Bachman, Maria , Schmeling, Martina , Kordonowy, Matthew , Berns, Matthew , Luhtanen, Mia , Welch, Michael , Olszewski, Michal , Patel, Nital , Kamran, Omar , McKenna, Owen , Geddes, Pamela , Kolano, Pawel , Mizak, Pawel , Doelling, Rachel , Ali, Rubina , Kufta, Samantha , Calapiz, Sara , Bigley, Sarah , Berden, Terence , Waickman, Zach
Institution: Loyola University of Chicago
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: September 30, 2007 through September 29, 2008
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Challenge Area: Loyola undergraduate students and faculty mentors will build a lab for production of biodiesel fuel made by recycling University cafeteria waste vegetable oil that will fuel inter-campus shuttle busses and other University vehicles, reducing pollution emissions.
Approach:
The novelty of our technical design lies in using ultrasonic processing to improve product quality, and in advancing minimization of energy inputs and maximization of outputs of the production process. These innovations will be used as an education demonstration platform to promote action-based sustainability for people, prosperity, and the planet. Outcomes measured will include volume and quality of biodiesel produced by two biodiesel labs (Loyola’s and a nearby high school’s), volume used in Loyola busses and in the high school busses, improved air quality of emissions from these busses, and the number of college, high school and grade school students participating, engaging, and learning. Our project serves as an educational tool for advancing P3 concepts to students in the university, K-12, and to the general public. An interdisciplinary undergraduate course at Loyola (Solutions to Environmental Problems course) will engage students, teach them how to produce and use biodiesel, and transform them into leaders and environmental problem-solvers for a sustainable future.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 3 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
biodiesel, waste vegetable oil, atmosphere, global climate, human health, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon dioxide, pollution prevention, alternative energy, sustainable, clean technologies, innovative technology, renewable, waste reduction, public good, conservation, environmental chemistry, physics, engineering, social responsibility, education, ecology, Great Lakes, Midwest, EPA Region 5; transportation, food processing,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Sustainable Industry/Business, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Energy, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Environmental Engineering, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, alternative materials, biomass, alternative fuel, biodiesel fuel, energy efficiency, energy technology, alternative energy sourceRelevant Websites:
Phase 2 AbstractProgress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase II:
Powering Mind, Powering Futures (formerly Biodiesel Education: Green Energy for the Next-Generation) | 2009 Progress Report | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.