STEP: Biodiesel Projects - Fall 2007
STEP: Biodiesel Projects - Fall 2008

A significant portion of the STEP course focuses on small group projects. The groups will work with faculty to create a final product to be displayed in a public forum at the end of the semester.

• Education

• Production

• Heating

• Distribution

• Communications

• Algae Research

• Production Groups

EDUCATION   

The goal of this group is to educate the Loyola campus, local area schools, and the outside community about the rapidly developing technology of making biodiesel from waste vegetable oil. This science is quickly evolving and new information is being published on a constant basis.

This group uses several methods to educate others:

• Tours of the biodiesel lab which includes how to make biodiesel
• Exploring the current trends in biodiesel production using the latest scientific publications
• Examining what role experts envision biodiesel playing in the immediate future

PRODUCTION   

The production group hopes to increase the efficiency of producing biodiesel from recycled oil in the lab in order to get the most out of the materials used to make the fuel. A key focus of this group is finding out how to use glycerin, a waste product produced when making biodiesel. By finding out ways to use this glycerin, the STEP class will be closer to 'closing the loop' in biodiesel production. The main focuses of this group include: 

• Purification of glycerin
• Soap production from waste glycerin
• Reaction efficiency testing

Heat your home with biodiesel   

This group is examining the feasibility of distributing Loyola biodiesel as home heating oil, and making recommendations on how it can be utilized. To achieve this they must compile demographics on the local community to get a sense of what the demand for the fuel may be. Primary work conducted by this student group involve:

• Researching bioheat programs elsewhere in the nation
• Compiling information on how to use biodiesel as home heating oil
• Mapping census data of oil heaters in the Chicago area to judge demand   

Distribution   

This group intends to spread information on how people can use biodiesel in a practical manner in everyday lives. This requires making a standardized document that can be easily referred to by anyone. To achieve this they are currently developing an information manual that can be distributed to those who might be interested in using Loyola biodiesel.   

This group is also conducting experiments on cloud point. Cloud point is how low the outside temperature can drop before causing the fuel to gel rendering the fuel temporarily unusable. Within temperate climates, this becomes an issue.

communications   

The goal of this group is to increase awareness within the Loyola campus and surrounding community about the STEP program.Exposure of this rapidly developing technology is essential for it to become widely adopted, and part of a sustainable solution to rising energy demands. 

Projects of this group include:

• Website updates
• Formation of a panel discussion for the public forum on April 24th
• Working with a radio production student to create a documentary about the STEP Biodiesel program

ALGAE RESEARCH   

It is recognized that the supplies of waste and virgin vegetable oil are limited and their conversion to biodiesel is only a partial solution to energy conservation. Loyola's STEP course isactively researching alternative feedstock sources.

Algae are a promising renewable source of oil. Algae are microorganisms that reproduce rapidly, requiring minimal resources to grow. Certain species are known to have high lipid content; oil can be extracted as a potential source to for biofuels. 

Using a greenhouse on top of Damen Hall, the algae group is conducting experiments on various algal species to better understand this prospective energy source. The group is also conducting experiments on extraction methods of obtaining the oil from the cultured algae.  The ultimate goal is to provide the STEP class with a consistent, renewable feedstock to use in conjunction with waste vegetable oil. 

PRODUCTION GROUPS   

Each week the students share the task of making biodiesel. Though the chemical process of converting waste vegetable oil into biodiesel is not complex, there are many steps involved in its production. Groups of students rotate on a weekly basis in order to learn all the necessary procedures. 

The students carefully log and carry out the following tasks:

1. Retrieving the waste vegetable oil (WVO) from Loyola's dining facilities

2. Straining the oil to remove unwanted particles

3. Titration to determine the amount of catalyst needed in the reaction

4. Mixing the calculated amounts methanol and lye (catalyst) into WVO to create biodiesel

5. Washing the biodiesel with water to remove remaining methanol and lye

6. Draining the wash water

Current lab production capacity is a maximum of 95 gallons per week, which is then analyzed for its quality.

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