Calvin College
From Left: Joshua Harbert, Christian Ocier, Mitch Kenyon, Fred Thielke, Adebo Alao
Outline
•Project Overview
•Purpose
•Procedure
•Uses
•Questions
Our Project
Design and construct a process to convert Yellow Grease into
biodiesel
•45 gal capacity
•2 day process
Our Project
Tentative plans for reactor
•Renewable Energy Organization
•Commuter Van
•Yellow Grease from on campus dining services
•Donate to Calvin
Why Are We Doing This?
1. We believe that:
•There is an Energy Crisis arising
•There is no single solution
2. We also believe that the solution will be dependent on:
•Life style changes
•Cultural and regional resource use
•Sustainable/renewable energy
Why Are We Doing This?
75 Million Gallons of Biodiesel
Produced in 2005
75 million Gallons of
Biodiesel was 0.2% of
the total US diesel
consumption in 2005!
other
18%
edible tallow
6%
inedible tallow
11%
yellow grease
8%
soy
57%
The Mechanical Aspect
Recently acquired 60 gal
Stainless Steel reactor
Reaction Vessel
Filter
Polishing Column
Polishing Column
Polymer Adsorbent
Chemistry
What you need:
•Sulfuric Acid
•Methanol
•Potassium Methoxide
Lab Work
Scale up and Analysis
Waste Streams
Uses
Suitable for:
•Trucks, boats, generators, personal vehicles
•Most unmodified diesel engines
•Most moderate climates
Not Suitable for:
•Very cold environments
•Older diesel engines (natural rubber parts)
Questions?