"Create a sustainable biodiesel production system on the Vanderbilt University Campus that will fuel both campus vehicles and alternative energy awareness."

We feel that Vanderbilt needs to set an example for middle Tennessee to raise awareness and demand for biodiesel. Since no other individuals or educational institutions in middle Tennessee are pursuing biodiesel production on the scale that we have proposed, we hope to be setting a precedent for other area schools and paving the way for a more sustainable transportation future.

Furthermore, we are not aware of any other biodiesel systems which are designed to function completely off-the-grid without using public electricity, water sources, or possibly even methanol. By collecting, generating, and using our own electricity and water, students will better understand the cause and effect nature of biofuels production. We have not heard of any other research into reclaiming waste methanol from chemistry research labs for biodiesel production either. We hope that these unique aspects to our project will help Vanderbilt students gain an appreciation for the entire environmental impact of biofuels production.

The biodiesel production system will consist of several tanks, pumps, and plumbing, and it will be located outdoors in a visible location. We will design and build the system in such a way as to make its operation obvious to anyone who looks at it. Most biodiesel systems are complicated and unsightly, so we want to make our system simple and engaging. We will also work with the environmental health and safety office to create simple instructions for using the system to help ensure safe, reliable operation for all users. We want the biodiesel system itself to aid in the publicity and educational aspects of our project to help us increase awareness on campus.

Our project addresses the environmental issue of providing clean, sustainable fuel for transportation while being environmentally conscious of water and energy consumption. Gasoline and traditional diesel-fueled vehicles emit volatile organic compounds (such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur monoxide, and benzene) which contribute to global climate change, acid rain, and smog. Also, the electricity we use on campus is generated by burning coal which further pollutes the air. The emission of these substances on campus by plant operations vehicles creates a less-than-optimal environment for students, faculty, and staff.

The challenge we face is finding a cleaner alternative for powering campus vehicles. Vanderbilt University uses over 6000 gallons of fuel of fuel every month, and substituting biodiesel for a fraction of the fuel used will make a significant difference to the air quality. Biodiesel is a much healthier choice for our environment because its combustion releases less carbon dioxide, particulates, hydrocarbons, and no sulfates into our atmosphere. We hope to produce 1000 gallons of biodiesel per month which could potentially eliminate 20,000 pounds of "lifetime" carbon dioxide emissions every month. In addition, biodiesel also decomposes four times faster than petrol diesel, reducing the environmental impact of accidental spills, and it is safer to store and transport since its flashpoint is much higher than similar fuels.