Goshen College students implement their own biodiesel system based on Biodiesel Basics and Beyond

It is always extremely gratifying as publishers to see readers responding to our message of sustainability with such enthusiasm.

A case in point is William Kemp’s ground breaking “Biodiesel Basics and Beyond” which has become the standard in how to produce biodiesel from waste vegetable oil, while minimizing your impact on the planet. Early pioneers in the field were challenged to properly deal with the issue of methanol recovery, glycerin disposal and other potential hazards in the process. Our book allowed people who wanted to produce biodiesel to minimize their impact on the planet, to do it with a clear conscience.

What’s really exciting is to see how many individuals and organizations across North America have adopted the book’s reactor design and message of environmental stewardship.

One that stands out is Goshen College in Indiana where the students have used Bill’s design to build their own biodiesel plant on site to turn the college’s waste vegetable oil into biodiesel. Associate Professor of Chemistry Doug Schirch and Associate Professor of Economics Jerrell Richer have helped the students Nate Herr, Sae Chan Lee, Mitch Yoder and Neil Detweiler design and build the system. Goshen has signed onto the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment and their biodiesel plant is part of this green initiative.

They recently celebrated Earth Day with a media event that encouraged students to eat French fries! They’ve received lot’s a great press about their experience.

http://www.goshen.edu/virtualgc/photoalbum/2008/biodiesel/

Many readers of the biodiesel book have suggested refinements to the reactor design and the Goshen students have been experimenting with thin-layer chromatography for testing the quality of the FAME or fatty acid methyl ester.

As with all our books, author Bill Kemp will be updating Biodiesel Basics and Beyond in the future and has asked the students for feedback on the new systems they develop or enhancements they’ve made to the basic reactor design.

Our renewable energy books have inspired thousands of North Americans to use energy more efficiently and to integrate clean, green renewable energy into their lives. The Zero-Carbon Car has taken a critical look at North America’s personal transportation challenges and how plug-in electric vehicles might benefit the current challenge facing us. Our gardening DVD has North American’s growing vegetables in their own backyards to offset their CO2 emissions with their own personal “10 Yard Diet”. And our biodiesel book and DVD have North American’s taking used vegetable oil that was formally a waste product, and turning it into a clean burning fuel.

There is a quote “To you from failing hands we pass the torch.” In our case our hands are far from failing as our books and offerings get better all the time, but the process of continuous quality improvement is greatly enhanced by such enthusiastic and creative readers.

We appreciate the feedback and the opportunity to continue to provide our readers with continuously improving “solutions for sustainability.”