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The Biodiesel Laboratory at HPHS
Project Summary:
GSI members built a
biodiesel production lab during the first semester of the 2007
school year in order to convert waste vegetable oil from the school
cafeteria into biodiesel fuel for use in school tractors and
lawnmowers. The cost for the lab equipment was a gift from the
Senior Class of 2006. Professors and graduate students from Loyola
University in Chicago served as technical consultants for the lab
design and construction.
Goals of the Project:
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Teach HPHS
students about alternative energy sources & energy production
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Recycle waste
vegetable oil from the school cafeteria
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Reduce school fuel
consumption & purchasing costs through supplementation with
biodiesel
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Create a working
biodiesel laboratory so that science classes can conduct
experiments to research alternative energy production.
Results:
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Biodiesel lab was
constructed over one semester for approximately $500.
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50 gallons of
waste vegetable oil are processed and recycled per month.
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50 gallons of
biodiesel fuel are generated each month (approximately 400
gallons a year).
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400 gallons of
diesel fuel consumption are conserved each year (approximately
$1200 saved).
Next Steps:
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Continue to
develop expertise and refine our biodiesel production procedures
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Search for other
resources from which to create biofuels (i.e., algae, grasses,
other organics)
Online Resources:
Reactor Construction & Biodiesel
Production Guide
Green School Initiative Home Page
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