Transcript HPHS Biodiesel Laboratory Reactor construction & Biodiesel

The students in the Freshman Academy & the Green
School Initiative are proud to present the following online tutorial about biodiesel production at HPHS
The Highland Park High School
Biodiesel Laboratory was designed to
teach students the science behind the
production of alternative sources of
energy.
Students and teachers in the
Freshman Academy and the Green
School Initiative, partnered with
Loyola University to learn about
biofuel production and laboratory
design.
This slideshow provides viewers with
a step-by-step tutorial of how the
biodiesel lab was constructed, and
how the biodiesel fuel is produced by
students.
Preliminary Research

The first, and most important, step in this project was for
students and staff to conduct research about biofuel
production methods, laboratory needs for a production
facility, as well as health and safety information
pertaining to biofuel production.

To assist in this research, HPHS partnered with Loyola
University, who was also beginning to construct its own
biodiesel production facility. Graduate students, as well
as professors, from Loyola University worked directly in
collaboration with HPHS students and teachers to share
information, research, and production techniques.

Once we had obtained enough information about the
biodiesel production process, we set to work in designing
and building our lab.
Step One: Site Selection

After developing an
understanding of the
production process,
and the
equipment/safety
needs, we set to
work identifying
potential lab spaces.
Site Selection:

An old greenhouse
became the perfect
spot because it met all
the conditions
necessary for a
biofuels lab:
 It had excellent
ventillation
 It had electricity & water
available
 It was a facility that
could get very dirty
 Spills could easily be
cleaned up
Building the
“Titration Station”
A critical step in the production
of biodiesel is to titrate the
Waste Vegetable oil that is being
used as the basis for the fuel.
Our “titration station” is not
glamorous, but it gets the job
done.
“Titration Station”
Directions
Students in GSI created stepby-step directions for the titration
process. This poster is placed
by the Titration Station so that
other students can follow the
proper procedures.
Construction of the
Biodiesel Reactor
Through our partnership with
Loyola University, we designed a
biodiesel reactor that would
allow us to safely create 30
gallons of biodiesel.
Our design and construction
process is outlined in the
following slides.
Design of the Main Tank




Photo of our main tank
and connection hoses.
1) 30 gallon mix tank
with a 60 degree angle
base is our main tank.
2) We have a tank stand
to hold it secure.
3) A series of valves and
1” reinforced PVC tubing.
4) Aquarium bubbler
Main Pump & Thermostat
½ horsepower Water
pump (720 gallons per
hour).
 Internal heating device
(tied into pump
plumbing)
 Thermostat
 Electric switches for
pump & heat activation

Photo of our pump, heater,
thermostat, & switches
Students from our Green School
Initiative club stay after school
one day a week to work on the
biodiesel reactor.
Students Constructing the Main Tank valves & plumbing
Students in the Freshman
Academy, wired all the electrical
components together and
assembled the pumping system.
Students connect the pump to the main mixing tank.
Main mixing tank in center.
Methoxide tank is located on the
right.
Pump and heater are on the left.
The Finished Reactor