Biodiesel - University of Arizona Jenna Boticelli Heather Howe Grace Schau Ujjesha Singh Mary Williams

Biodiesel Jenna Boticelli Heather Howe Grace Schau

Ujjesha Singh Mary Williams

Biodiesel Background •  Biodiesel: an alternative fuel made for diesel

engines from vegetable oil or animal fats.

•  Compatible with diesel fueled engines

•  Biodiesel has 56% less emissions than diesel

Ingredients • New or used vegetable oil, can be used cooking oil, animal fats, or vegetable oils • Isopropyl alcohol (>90% rubbing alcohol)

• Methanol

• Potassium hydroxide

• Distilled water

The Conversion Process

Step 1: Titration

Step 2: Measure the Reactants (methanol and KOH)

Step 3: Dissolve the KOH in the Methanol

Step 4: Mix the Reactants

Step 5: Allow the Glycerin to Settle **Separation can continue for another 24-36 hours

Step 6: Transport biodiesel to vehicles

The Conversion Process Diagram

Our Proposal

•  Habitat for Humanity Tucson uses 5-10 gallon of diesel a month

o We can eliminate their diesel dependence

• Not changing current biodiesel project, rather using product more efficiently

o Allows Habitat for Humanity to allocate more funds to community projects and reduce their carbon footprint

• Can be expanded o Collect from more local restaurants and malls o 130 gallons per month for all of AZ Habitat

for Humanity chapters  Still leaves 370 gallons for UofA

 $5 extra from per student o 39,086 UofA students X $5  $195,430 for extra costs • Transportation • New startup fees

Our Proposal cont.

•  Cat trans use 4000 gallons of diesel per month

•  The Student Union, Highland, and Park Student Union generates 500 gallons of oil waste •  produces 500 gallons of biodiesel per month

Current Diesel Use

Profit •  Current diesel cost: $3.945 •  =$15,780/ month for diesel paid by cat tran •  Current cost of biodiesel 2011: $3.50 •  Cat Tran will pay $2.75- $3.00 per gallon to the

current project, which makes it self-sufficient

Habitat for Humanity Mission Statement

•  Habitat for Humanity is working to eliminate poverty, housing and homelessness, in the greater Tucson area.

Cost Benefit Advantages

•  Enough biodiesel to support local charities and go towards U of A vehicles.

•  Will teach students to operate a biodiesel facility

•  Will eliminate Tucson Habitat for Humanity’s need for diesel

•  There will be more good publicity or the U of A, with the “Powered by U of A bumper sticker”

Cost Benefit Disadvantages  

•  Expensive to start up

•  Not enough oil waste on campus to fully power the U of A cat trans, or other vehicles

•  Currently no way to transport the biodiesel to the rest of Arizona’s habitat for humanity

References    •  "Chemistry  of  Biodiesel:  the  Beauty  of  Transesterfica7on.”  Web.  h2p://www.biofuels.coop/pdfs/2_chem.pdf.  

•  Clean  Ci7es.  US  Department  of  Energy.  Web.  h2p://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/afpr_jan_11.pdf.  

•  Daily  Fuel  Gauge  Report-­‐-­‐na7onal,  State  and  Local  Average  Prices  for  Gasoline,  Diesel  and  E-­‐85.  AAA's  Daily  Fuel  Gage  Report.  Web.  06  Dec.  2011.  h2p://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/?redirec2o=h2p://fuelgaugereport.opisnet.com/index.asp.  

•   "What  Is  Biodiesel."  ESRU  Web  Site.  Web.  06  Dec.  2011.  h2p://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/02-­‐03/biofuels/what_biodiesel.htm.  

•  Riley,  Mark.  On  Campus  Conversion  of  Waste  Cooking  Oil  to  Biodiesel  to  Power  on  Campus  Vehicles.  University  of  Arizona.  Web.  h2p://studentaffairs.arizona.edu/uploads/greenfund/fundDescripYon_1297123927_Biodiesel%20project%202_7_11.pdf.  

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