biodiesel@mit (193)
DESCRIPTION
We will be partnering with Roxbury Green Power to develop a comprehensive and efficient system to “close the loop” of the energy cycle for these local food vendors, making a positive impact on the community, the environment, and sustainability. At the MIT Global Challenge: http://globalchallenge.mit.edu/teams/view/193TRANSCRIPT
Biodiesel@MIT converts waste vegetable oil (WVO) from on-campus food vendors into biofuel
Roxbury Green Power (RGP) collects WVO and sells it as an additional source of income
However, RGP's profits are limited by the quality of the WVO
The missing key step is a filtration system to increase quality
Solution Summary: Closing the Loop
Filtration System
QUALITY ANALYSIS/TESTING:• Share the titration technique
Biodiesel@MIT currently uses• This will allow RGP to separate
batches of oil with different titration numbers
• higher titration numbers --> more FFA's--> less valuable oil. Sold to manufacturers
• lower titration numbers --> less FFA's--> more valuable --> processed and used in grease cars.
• Good quality oil can be sold for $0.65 more!
Educate Staff on Safety , Biodiesel Processing
Advise Roxbury on how to reach out to more food vendors
Work to Date:• Biodiesel@MIT has been producing ASTM-certified
biodiesel since the summer of 2009. • Extensive safety training documents ready• Discussed and customized solution with Roxbury, out
community partner Implementation Plan: • Manufacture the filtration system, put it in use on Roxbury's
collection routes• Start training the members of the cooperative on quality
analysis/ biodiesel production, partnered with MIT’s Environmental Health and Safety Office
• With an easy-to-use filtration system, a higher-valued product, Roxbury Green Power can move up the supply chain and earn more income which is divided equally among its members.
• WVO with the least free-fatty acids can be processed or filtered and sold for an additional $0.65 per gallon.
• If Roxbury Green Power increases their yield to their goal of 1500 gallons per month, they can double their monthly income, from $1100 to $2625.
• Educational publicity materials will help increase Roxbury Green Power’s WVO collection, directly increasing their collection.
• This is a process that can be replicated in other parts of the country and the world to increase the quality of collected waste vegetable oil.