2008 Woodie Awards
Sodexho waste could be fuel
Jessica Rapp
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: TruLife
Barbara Kramer, associate professor of chemistry and adviser for this project, said ACS would have to look into whether it could legally use the school's vegetable oil for itself. Sodexho, Truman's food service company, will need to have the contract to keep the vegetable waste because in some cases, other companies will buy the waste from food service, she said. ACS also is looking into acquiring vegetable oil waste from businesses in town, she said.
Kramer said ACS plans to produce biodiesel on a small scale first. She said she oversees test labs where ACS already has begun to produce it in millimeter amounts. In the near future, once ACS figures out the correct proportions, they will be able to make biodiesel in a bucket. Senior students directly related in the agricultural side of the biodiesel production have adopted this for their senior projects.
"I really am amazed by the enthusiasm the students have for this," Kramer said. "I really like to see the students doing something that helps the school, helps the environment and brings together different groups on campus."
Other universities across the U.S. already have started similar projects to make biodiesel. Kramer said people can make biodiesel at home, and some engines can even be converted to run on pure vegetable oil.
"If it works, it'll be amazing," Kramer said. "It'll take a lot of work."
Kramer said ACS plans to produce biodiesel on a small scale first. She said she oversees test labs where ACS already has begun to produce it in millimeter amounts. In the near future, once ACS figures out the correct proportions, they will be able to make biodiesel in a bucket. Senior students directly related in the agricultural side of the biodiesel production have adopted this for their senior projects.
"I really am amazed by the enthusiasm the students have for this," Kramer said. "I really like to see the students doing something that helps the school, helps the environment and brings together different groups on campus."
Other universities across the U.S. already have started similar projects to make biodiesel. Kramer said people can make biodiesel at home, and some engines can even be converted to run on pure vegetable oil.
"If it works, it'll be amazing," Kramer said. "It'll take a lot of work."
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