Students Learn to Make Biodiesel - 8/15/08

The Bulldog Biodiesel group part of Truman State University recently purchased a BioPro 190 biodiesel processor with an $8,000 price tag.  They are busy making biodiesel while seeking to increase community interest and involvement in its environmentally friendly cause.

Bulldog Biodiesel is chartering with Truman’s Center for Student Involvement.  They are also applying for more funding to pay for community education and equipment.

The project has received $4,000 from the University farm, $4,000 from the agricultural science department and $2,000 from the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. 

The group has applied for a $30,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  The grant money would pay for educational outreach, biodiesel processors, student workers, supplies and equipment for testing the biodiesel. 

They are hoping to sell some of the biodiesel they produce to the farm and other groups on campus, using the money to help the students running the equipment.

Bulldog Biodiesel is following the lead of other universities that have started similar programs. 

Bulldog Biodiesel was formed in 2007 when six members of the agriculture practicum with Truman’s chapter of Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society started a business to make biodiesel from vegetable oil.

Instead of selling the biodiesel to the university, Bulldog Biodiesel will credit the biodiesel to the university in exchange for program costs.

Drew Olson, a Bulldog Biodiesel coordinator said their goal was to use waste grease from the community and remove Truman State University off of petroleum.

The BioPro 190 they use requires 50 gallons of vegetable oil to make 50 gallons of biodiesel in 48 hours.

They currently collect used vegetable oil locally from the Dukum Inn. 

Start making your own biodiesel fuel for only 70 cents a gallon! - Fuelmeister Biodiesel Processor

Find More BioDiesel Processors

Back To the BioDiesel Alternative Fuel Index