biodieselpictures.com

[graydonblair]

Brian Sievers teaches at Thornridge High School in Dolton, Illinois.

As part of the project they had to put together a presentation that could be used to teach others about Biodiesel.

Here's the link to it:
Presentation File (4.9 Mb Power Point Format)
Presentation File (7.7 Mb PDF Format)

The processor that you see below was put together by students in his class as part of the project.

They completely researched Biodiesel, ran sample test batches, put together a great presentation on Biodiesel, and are now experimenting with different methods for producing the fuel.

They've also built a small Purolite filter as well to dry wash their fuel with.

Congrats to this great group on getting involved with Biodiesel at such an early age!

[graydonblair]

Here are pictures of the Purolite filter system they constructed...

[graydonblair]

This is the class that built the Biodiesel processor...

[graydonblair]

Here's a powerpoint presentation the group put together.
http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/customerpages/schoolprojects/TRBiodiesel.ppt

-Graydon

[graydonblair]

THORNRIDGE HIGH Students Qualify to compete for $50,000 Grand Prize in the Lexus Eco Challenge

DOLTON, IL 3/4/09
– A team of SEVEN students at THORNRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL are among the 48 schools nationwide that have qualified to participate in the Final Challenge of the Lexus Eco Challenge, a national contest that encourages middle and high school students to develop and implement environmental programs that positively impact their communities. The team was awarded $10,000 for their entry in the AIR-CLIMATE Challenge earlier this academic year, and now, as a participant in the Final Challenge, they’ve been asked to take their environmental message to as wide an audience as possible.

This year’s second annual Lexus Eco Challenge
http://www.scholastic.com/lexus , created by Lexus and Scholastic, had 775 registered teams representing 5,100 middle and high school students nationwide. The 48 winning Action Plans were selected from 425 entries submitted during the three earlier phases of the competition. From the Final Challenge entries, Lexus and Scholastic will choose two $50,000 grand-prize-winning teams and 14 $30,000 first place teams. In all, $1 million in grants and scholarship will be awarded.

The students at THORNRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL are hard at work on their Biodiesel project. The students built their own biodiesel processor and held a community wide oil drive in which they collected over 250 gallons of “used” vegetable oil. They chose this project because they are very concerned about the air quality in the city they live in. Biodiesel is known to reduce greenhouse gases by as much as 50% and Hydrocarbon emissions by as much as 65%. Currently, the students are working on the “final” challenge. They are planning to add solar panels to their project so that can totally “green” and take their project to the next level. By adding solar panels they would reduce the carbon footprint that their project will have on the environment. Also, they plan to use their solar panels as a pilot project for the district to provide them with data on the benefits of using solar panels to generate electricity.

The primary goals of their project were to produce an environmentally friendly alternative fuel for our district, recycle used vegetable oil, and educate ourselves and our community about the impact of diesel emissions on global warming, climate change, and renewable energy. Mr. Sievers is the project advisor and he said, “My students worked so hard on this contest and we thought we would like everyone to know that great things are happening in District 205 and in our community.” The fact that these students want to better themselves and show everyone that good kids come from our community and school reflects well on the district. This project also allowed students to prove to themselves that they can have a positive impact on society and the environment.

The community is invited to support the team’s Final Challenge Action Plan by helping donate their used vegetable cooking oil. The students continue to pick up oil from several local businesses, local residents, staff members and students.

For more information about this team’s activities, contact:
Name: Mr. Brian Sievers
School: Thornridge High School
Address: 15000 Cottage Grove Dolton, IL 60419
Phone: 708-271-4640
E-mail: sievers.brian@district205.net

[graydonblair]

Here's a news story about Thornridge winning the Lexus prize.
http://www.csrwire.com/News/14720.html

[Weldshop]

[quote="graydonblair"]Here are pictures of the Purolite filter system they constructed...[/quote]

Hi, Graydon,
I was at my farm store and saw these types of water filters for like $14.
How much fuel do you suppose they filter before the Purolite is exhausted?
They seem so small.

Brian

[graydonblair]

You know, based on what they've been seeing, I don't think they're all that effective. They're actually struggling with them right now to get the soap numbers down.

That said, a lot of it depends on the fuel you push through them. If it's really high in soap content, then don't expect much more than a couple hundred gallons out of them. But if you're pretty low in free fatty acids before you start you may be able to get more life out of them.

I personally don't recommend using this style based on all the problems Thornridge has had with them though.

-Graydon

[Weldshop]

Right.
And I've seen the exploded pvc towers guys have warned about. Steel towers, lead and lag would be better.

They sure do have a jump on the industry. I hadnt heard of biofuels in high school. Solar, maybe.
Pretty cool.

Brian

[graydonblair]

More pictures from the class.

[graydonblair]

Link to details on Thornridge High School's project
http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/photos/customerpictures/thornridgehighschool/thornridge.pdf

[graydonblair]

Thornridge High School just won the $50,000 Lexus Eco Challenge First Prize!

Congratulations guys! You did a great job & it looks like it's paying off.

[graydonblair]

More pictures from their project...

[graydonblair]

Here's the link to the Lexus Eco Challenge that lists them as one of the Grand Prize Winners.
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3750833

Thornbridge BioDiesel, Illinois
Team: Garrick, Darryl, Terry, Lamar, Tramel, Jay, Gabrielle
Thornbridge BioDiesel’s teacher advisor Brian Sievers and his team built a biodiesel processor, held a community oil drive, hosted a number of popular presentations, and embarked on a media blitz about their project that resulted in MySpace and YouTube videos, as well as a number of appearances in local press outlets!

Congrats!
-Graydon

[graydonblair]

More pictures of the team.