Grantee Research Project Results
Sustainable Biofuel Systems for Undeveloped Regions
EPA Grant Number: SU833535Title: Sustainable Biofuel Systems for Undeveloped Regions
Investigators: Hackleman, David
Current Investigators: Hackleman, David , Friedrichsen, Lucas C. , Lewis, Samantha C. , Backman, Tyler W.H. , Wilcox, Buck , Bates, Chris , Varin, Jessica , Prem, Nikhil
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: September 30, 2008 through August 31, 2010
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:
While several countries including the US have made significant strides towards implementation of alternative fuels through research and infrastructure development, the areas of the world where they would have the greatest immediate impact on environmental quality - the Third World nations - are often neglected. The goal of the proposed P3 Project is to explore the feasibility of implementing vegetable oil based alternative fuels within the unique social, economic and environmental conditions of these regions. The specific objectives of this project would be to:
- Identify obstacles to renewable fuel implementation that are specific to developing nations.
- Investigate which alternative fuel will work best in that environment.
- Develop sustainable methods of production that work within the limitations.
- Incorporate traditional knowledge of the target community in production methods.
- Demonstrate that the method of choice will work with pilot-scale production.
Approach:
Results will be evaluated based on the level of integration of sustainable methods, feasibility of implementation within the target community, the quality and quantity of fuel produced in the model system and the efficiency of production in relation to fuel needs.
Implementation will occur through an interdisciplinary research course emphasizing sustainable technologies. A community in the Pacific Islands has been identified through OSU alumni that will serve as a model, and production will be optimized to the needs of aremote undeveloped community as represented by the model. Particular emphasis will be placed on development of a production method that will be viable beyond the initial project period. Vegetable oil based biofuels meet P3 objectives because they offer the unique possibility of filling the economic need for renewable fuel production, the environmental need of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the social needs of environmental education and stabilization of fuel dependency.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
biodiesel, vegetable oil, pollution prevention, renewable fuels, petroleum, economic barriers, social barriers, technology transfer, enzymatic process, oil extraction,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Sustainable Industry/Business, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Energy, climate change, Air Pollution Effects, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Atmosphere, Environmental Engineering, environmental monitoring, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, alternative materials, biomass, alternative fuel, biodiesel fuel, energy efficiency, energy technology, alternative energy sourceProgress and Final Reports:
The 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.