Biodiesel Project

Chris Czech (May 06)

Gasoline prices have been on the rise for about the past two years.  In order to combat the rising cost of petroleum fuel, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is investing in a campus Biodiesel plant.  There are three main goals for the plant.  The first is to produce approximately 100 gallons per week to run the campus shuttle buses currently running on petroleum diesel.  Another objective for the research project is to reduce the amount of waste produced by the campus dinning facilities.  In the past the dinning halls have had to pay a fee to have their waste cooking oil disposed of, but with the biodiesel plant, this waste can be recycled into biodiesel.  This will reduce two costs, the amount spent on diesel fuel and waste cooking oil removal.  The final goal of the plant is to serve as an educational tool for the students.  The plant has already allowed students to get hands on experience in the laboratory as well as in the design and construction of the facility.  Students will also have the opportunity to run the plant once it is erected and operational.  This will give students a unique chance to run a plant before entering industry for their first job.