Tag: Bio Diesel

Loyola’s Oil Refinery

Loyola’s Oil Refinery

Located at 6317 N Broadway is a white door.  Inside that white door is a small room with four white vats.  Inside those four white vats is a product that the Loyola  biodiesel lab uses to power the Loyola Free Enterprise shuttle buses.

A few weeks ago Zach Waickman of Loyola’s bio diesel lab stopped into my “Reporting and Writing” class to give us the lowdown on steps Loyola is taking to be more environmentally conscious.  As the director of the lab, Zach has seen the program from inception to current day.  For much of the time, Zach discussed the many steps taken that has brought the bio diesel lab from chemistry lab to energy source producer.

For those who do not know, bio diesel is derived from cooking oil (of which Loyola has plenty of from the dining halls) that is converted into a gylcerin-based product used to fuel diesel engines.  This fuel can be mixed with diesel seamlessly to create a more environment-conscious fuel source that reuses waste and does not create greenhouse gases.  This year, Loyola will produce around 3,000 gallons of bio diesel that it sells to both Free Enterprise and other local consumers.

The bio diesel lab project was born out of a time when many people in the United States were worried about greenhouse gas emissions.  To help find a solution to the increasing waste product gas-burning engines produced, Loyola created a team of eager students and faculty members to search for solutions.  This was known as CUERP.  In 2006, the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy (CUERP) created the STEP program, or Solutions to Environmental Problems.  STEP is a series of classes that seek to address many environmental problems this city faces today.  From 2006 to 2009, STEP was geared towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions on campus.  As of 2009, STEP seeks answers to water problems in the city.

The first lab used as the official bio diesel lab was located in an old chemistry room in Damen floor ten.  However, space limited the amount of oil that could be produced and Damen was sentenced to destruction, so the lab moved to its current location, an area used for lawn maintenance storage.  This lab is the work space for students interested in learning about bio diesel.  In fact, classes are offered to anyone who wants to know more about the process.  To add to the excitement, the lab will find a new home behind Wright Hall upon the completion of the new dorms and greenhouse near Kenmore Ave.  There is so much more to know about CUERP and the various programs it offers for a more sustainable campus.  Click here for more information on the lab or for CUERP.  I also recommend a lab tour, it is very informative.