November: An Exciting Time...

The past two months have encompassed some of this organization's most prolific achievements. Among them:

• A likely space to build our processor has been located at the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) in Morgantown.
• The Project recently placed third out of 90 entries in the WV Student Business Plan Competition. We will compete in the second round of the competition in Charleston, WV, on Nov. 12 for $1,000, a personal business adviser, and a chance to compete in the final round for $10,000.
  
• The Project is establishing a corporate identity by printing business cards, stickers, calendars, posters, among others, in order to advance ourselves as a professional entity at WVU and in the business world.
• Visit our New Google Group to find Meeting Minutes, current discussions, and up-to-date info on what we are doing. We are continuing to update the group with the latest information on our progress.
• The Project met with Clement Solomon, WVU Sustainability Director, to discuss the university's support for the implementation of biodiesel across campus with the Project's help.

As has been the case in the past, the Project has run into obstacles involving a space for our processor, funding, and organizational development. Currently, we have made significant progress in overcoming these obstacles and envision a bright, sustainable, clean future for Morgantown and our organization. A quote passed on by Lucas Ellis, the Project's founder, sums up the organization's dedication to our cause:

 "Never under estimate the ability of a small group of committed individuals to change the world.  Indeed, they are the only ones who ever have." - Margaret Mead

 -WVU Biodiesel Project
  wvubiodieselproject[at]gmail[dot]com

Biodiesel: The What, How, and Why

A Jar of Biodiesel

WHAT?

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can replace or be mixed with diesel in any proportion and can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modifications. Biodiesel can be made from any fat or oil such as olive oil, canola oil, or beef tallow.

HOW?

In America biodiesel is made primarily from soybean oil. Biodiesel is reacted by mixing the oil with a catalyst and adding heat. The catalyst most commonly used is methoxide. This catalyst is made by mixing lye (a chemical found in drain cleaner or soap) and methanol (a chemical commonly used as an engine cleaner).

WHY?

Biodiesel has better emission characteristics, less toxicity and produces the same amount of power as regular diesel. Biodiesel produces about the same amount of carbon dioxide as diesel yet most of the carbon dioxide produced was adsorbed from the atmosphere by the plant from which the vegetable oil came from, therefore there is a less of a net accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere.

Overall, Biodiesel is a well rounded alternative fuel source with a viable future--especially at West Virginia University!

Questions or comments may be sent to wvubiodieselproject@gmail.com . Or, if you or anyone you know would like to get involved, we have meetings on Wednesday @ 5pm in the Engineering Sciences Building, Room 425 on the Evansdale campus. Everyone is welcome!

Until next time...