Student scientists create biodiesel from soybean oil

A group of students from a charity science program is developing its own biodiesel fuel from soybean oil.
Biodiesel consists of mono alkyl esters produced from vegetable oils, animal or old cooking fats.
Soy biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the soybean oil. The process gives two products: methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (used to make soap). The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and soot.
A group of Ecotek student scientists -- Chris Anderson, Keith Young, Jr. and Emmanuel Thomas Jefferson -- were so interested in the topic that they decided to make their own biodiesel from soybean oil.
They followed a stringent manufacturing and quality control process, such as breaking down the triglycerides in the oil and running combustion, chromatography, and viscosity tests on the methyl ester.
The knowledge that the team gathered from their work in the lab will help them when they travel to the United Nations in New York City to meet with world leaders to discuss the viability of biofuel on behalf of Chad. It will also help them when they share their research with attendees at the Michigan AgriEnergy Conference.
Officials say the team is also working on plans to convert switchgrass, algae and other cellulose based material to biofuel.
Ecotek is a program within the Motor City Model UN Club, a 501c3 organization. It is provides students ages 10 to 17 with the opportunity to work on science projects to help them better understand the role that science plays in policy making within international organizations such as the United Nations.
The students work on a diverse set of projects ranging from combating AIDS to protecting the environment. Once they have reviewed the UN treaties and have completed their lab research, the students meet with world leaders at the UN to share what they have learned.
To learn more about the program and the students highlighted in this press release, contact Keith Young at (313) 399-7893 or email him at keiyoung@ecotek-us.com
The students will show off their work to the public on Friday, March 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ecotek Laboratories, located inside TechTown at 440 Burroughs St., Suite 511 in Detroit.
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Meijer Goes Green

Posted: Sunday, 01 March 2009 3:27PM

Meijer Announces Plan to Install Wind Turbines

The Walker-based supercenter retail chain Meijer Inc. said last week it would soon expand its green initiatives to include the use of wind power at some of its facilities.

The announcement was made by Stacie Behler, vice president of communications and public affairs for the retailer.

"This is a very exciting project for Meijer," said Behler. "We continue to look for ways to decrease our carbon footprint and this wind turbine project is yet another example of how we can apply innovation to be more green."

Meijer received approval to install the wind turbines from the zoning board of appeals in the city of Walker, the Grand Rapids suburb where Meijer's headquarters facility is located. Current plans are for six wind turbines to be installed on the roof of the Meijer headquarters, with meters placed inside the building.

The wind turbines are being manufactured by Grand Rapids-based Cascade Engineering and should be installed within the next 45 days. Meijer is also hoping to expand its wind turbine project to include its stores in the west Michigan lakeshore communities of Grand Haven and Norton Shores.

Meijer has launched numerous green initiatives through the past few years, including the construction of LEED certified stores, a plastic bag recycling program and the continued expansion of green products sold inside the stores, including re-usable bags.

Meijer operates 185 supercenters throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. As the inventor of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings.

More at www.meijer.com.