Vanderbilt Biodiesel folks will be heading down to Limelight at 9pm this Friday (June 22nd) for the Summer Soulstice Jam. Greener Nashville invited us to bring out the van and a banner and maybe some soap and tell people about the project.
And we'd like to invite you to join us, if you're in the mood for some music and free Friday night. We can even offer you a ride downtown from campus.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Updates first half of 2008
Hello all! Much has happened since our last update!
Biodiesel production to date is nearly 1000 gallons. Most of this was used by the Wilderness Skills Course and Plant Operations here at Vanderbilt. We've been collecting the waste vegetable oil from our campus cafeterias and area restaurants. This means we've kept about 1000 gallons of waste product from having to be picked up and trucked to some far away location to be turned into things like animal feed supplements and lotions. (Not to mention cutting emissions in the vehicles that used the fuel!)
There's a lot going on here this summer - a lot of changes in the shed to improve the system. A custom built centrifuge is in the works, the homemade condenser was moved closer to improve methanol reclamation, some new hoses, some new plumbing, etc. Another project involves revamping the oil collection trailer to switch from 4 blue 55-gallon barrels to a 250 gallon tote - moving towards simplicity.
Research on a dilute-acid esterification pre-step for poor quality oil is underway. Derek tested it recently with almost milky bad oil and got a good yield. Eliot is working on an acid purification of the glycerin byproduct. Amelia is spending the summer working on a life cycle analysis/environmental impact assessment type report for the project. And many others continue to do great work.
If you're interested and you'd like to get involved, join the biodiesel list serve or email us. There are almost limitless possibilities as far as what you can do - oil collection, soap, marketing, etc. (Follow that link to the get involved page to see more.)
Biodiesel production to date is nearly 1000 gallons. Most of this was used by the Wilderness Skills Course and Plant Operations here at Vanderbilt. We've been collecting the waste vegetable oil from our campus cafeterias and area restaurants. This means we've kept about 1000 gallons of waste product from having to be picked up and trucked to some far away location to be turned into things like animal feed supplements and lotions. (Not to mention cutting emissions in the vehicles that used the fuel!)
There's a lot going on here this summer - a lot of changes in the shed to improve the system. A custom built centrifuge is in the works, the homemade condenser was moved closer to improve methanol reclamation, some new hoses, some new plumbing, etc. Another project involves revamping the oil collection trailer to switch from 4 blue 55-gallon barrels to a 250 gallon tote - moving towards simplicity.
Research on a dilute-acid esterification pre-step for poor quality oil is underway. Derek tested it recently with almost milky bad oil and got a good yield. Eliot is working on an acid purification of the glycerin byproduct. Amelia is spending the summer working on a life cycle analysis/environmental impact assessment type report for the project. And many others continue to do great work.
If you're interested and you'd like to get involved, join the biodiesel list serve or email us. There are almost limitless possibilities as far as what you can do - oil collection, soap, marketing, etc. (Follow that link to the get involved page to see more.)
Monday, December 3, 2007
System and van update
The system is running great, and our road tests are going well too. The wilskills van has been getting 33% better fuel mileage than our previous van (24mpg), and it is running on 95% biodiesel now (we just haven't run all of the diesel out of it yet).
Our soap is now for sale as well. A 16oz bottle is $4, and it is $6/gal (if you bring in your own container). Refills in the 16oz containers are $2ea. It can be used as a hand soap, laundry detergent, car wash, and shampoo. Contact william.w.deacy@vanderbilt.edu to purchase the soap.
Our soap is now for sale as well. A 16oz bottle is $4, and it is $6/gal (if you bring in your own container). Refills in the 16oz containers are $2ea. It can be used as a hand soap, laundry detergent, car wash, and shampoo. Contact william.w.deacy@vanderbilt.edu to purchase the soap.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Testing is underway
Hello again-
We have completed the main system construction, and we ran the first partial batch through the system to make sure that all the systems were working. Other than a few small issues, everything worked nicely. We are currently testing the biodiesel in several vehicles and plant ops machines, and the results are all positive so far.
We have also started making liquid soap, and so far we are happy with the results. We got permission to put it in several bathrooms in Featheringill hall, so feel free to drop by there to test it. If you want more, just stop by the shed with a container, and we will fill it up for you.
We have a few more weeks of testing, and we should be ready for normal operation. Sorry, but the blogging software isn't allowing me to upload pictures right now, but hopefully we will have some on our website soon.
We have completed the main system construction, and we ran the first partial batch through the system to make sure that all the systems were working. Other than a few small issues, everything worked nicely. We are currently testing the biodiesel in several vehicles and plant ops machines, and the results are all positive so far.
We have also started making liquid soap, and so far we are happy with the results. We got permission to put it in several bathrooms in Featheringill hall, so feel free to drop by there to test it. If you want more, just stop by the shed with a container, and we will fill it up for you.
We have a few more weeks of testing, and we should be ready for normal operation. Sorry, but the blogging software isn't allowing me to upload pictures right now, but hopefully we will have some on our website soon.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Building complete!
Hello again-
I am happy to announce that our facility is now complete, and we just need a couple of safety items before we can start production and testing. I will post pictures in a week or so when we get the final components.
--Derek
I am happy to announce that our facility is now complete, and we just need a couple of safety items before we can start production and testing. I will post pictures in a week or so when we get the final components.
--Derek
Monday, August 27, 2007
Biodiesel update
Hello again-
The project has been making good progress (despite my infrequent updates to this blog). I am happy to announce that we have been given the green light by the metro air regulations committee and the VEHS office to start construction of the system. Thanks to Brad Berron and the VEHS office who put together the major components of our application.
Our shed is almost complete now (I will post pictures soon), and we should be able to finish the system construction and start brewing soon. It is very nice and will suit our needs very well. Feel free to stop by and see its current progress on the northwest corner of the power plant lot. We need to think of ideas for the name for the shed (biodiesel shed and brew haus have been suggested), so let me know if you have ideas.
Thanks again to all of you who have helped, and feel free to contact me (derek.riley@vanderbilt.edu) if you are interested in getting involved.
The project has been making good progress (despite my infrequent updates to this blog). I am happy to announce that we have been given the green light by the metro air regulations committee and the VEHS office to start construction of the system. Thanks to Brad Berron and the VEHS office who put together the major components of our application.
Our shed is almost complete now (I will post pictures soon), and we should be able to finish the system construction and start brewing soon. It is very nice and will suit our needs very well. Feel free to stop by and see its current progress on the northwest corner of the power plant lot. We need to think of ideas for the name for the shed (biodiesel shed and brew haus have been suggested), so let me know if you have ideas.
Thanks again to all of you who have helped, and feel free to contact me (derek.riley@vanderbilt.edu) if you are interested in getting involved.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Udall bus tour
Hello again-
Yesterday the UDall biodiesel bus stopped by to see Vanderbilt and the biodiesel initiative, and it was an excellent event. All the biodiesel machinery and the new Wilskills biodiesel van were on display, and everyone seemed to have a great time and learn a few things as well. Keep an eye out in the Vanderbilt Register for an upcoming article about the project!
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