ALTERNATIVE
ENERGY: BIODIESEL,
THE ENVIRONMENT
AND THE ECONOMY
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HELLO!
I am Shahrukh Shaikh.
Optimist
Explorer
Leader
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WHAT IS
BIODIESEL?
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QUICK FACTS
100% renewable fuel that is usually
created from an oil (such as vegetable)
Meets the Renewable Fuel Standard
Produced through the chemistry of
transesterification
Can be made at home!
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TRANSESTERIFICATION
The replacement of an alkoxy ester
group with another alcohol, usually
accompanied by an acid or base catalyst
Glycerol
Alcohol
Triglycerides
Fatty Acids
THE AT-HOME
PROCESS
*although recommended in a LAB
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ITS THAT EASY
1. Combine methanol and sodium
hydroxide (lye) together.
a. Dissolve!
2. Heat oil (vegetable) on a hot plate for up
to thirty minutes with previous solution.
3. Dump solution into new vessel and
watch two layers develop!
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It is evident that there are two
distinct layers in the resultant
product.
Biodiesel
Glycerin
PHOTO SOURCE: Joint Task Force Guantanamo
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IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE BIODIESEL AT HOME?
As attractive and simple as it may seem,
it is NOT recommended.
THE ENVIRONMENT
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AS WE STAND TODAY
Many vehicles use a standard, petroleum
based diesel fuel
In 2014, over 9.6 gigatonnes of carbon
dioxide were released into the air
We need to improve.
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CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS
*clearly growing at
an alarming rate
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THE NEGATIVES
Fossil fuels are the main reason carbon
dioxide emissions are so abundant!
CO2 emissions serve as a thermal
blanket for the Earth.
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1,800 million metric
tons
Carbon dioxide emissions
from transportation
ALONE.
15 AROUND THE WORLD CO2 EMISSIONS
27%
17%
5%
HOW DOES
BIODIESEL HELP
US WITH THIS
ISSUE?
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THE BENEFITS
Biofuels are biodegradable. If spilled, the
situation is not as severe as regular fuel.
Greenhouse gas emissions can be cut
drastically.
Only if prepared correctly!
THE PROS AND
CONS
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PROS
Renewable -- Everyone loves recycling!
Biodiesel does just that.
Much more environmentally friendly than
regular fuel.
NO net carbon dioxide gain in
atmosphere (if produced right).
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NO NET GAIN OF CARBON DIOXIDE
Carbon Dioxide
Emissions
=
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CONS
Land would be needed for plant
cultivation.
Not every vehicle can handle a biofuel.
Potential nitrous oxide emission.
Inflation of food crops.
THE ECONOMY
CAN BIOFUEL
REALLY MAKE AN
IMPACT ON THE
ECONOMY?
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FACTS AND FIGURES
In 2005, the US was producing roughly
200 million gallons of biodiesel. In 2011,
1.10 billion gallons were produced.
Fiscally, it went from $1.5 million to $10 billion.
Average salary of a biodiesel producer
was in the $40,000 to $45,000.
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INDUSTRIES
Seed production
Livestock
Cultivation
Land
Feedstock
Biodiesel Processing
.list goes on!
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THE IMPACT
Each industry shares a direct
relationship with the production of
biodiesel. Since biodiesel production is
rising, so are these industries!
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IN SPECIFIC
In 2011, the seed production industry
was netting $5.5 billion; however it is
expected to rise to $10 billion+ in the
near future!
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EMPLOYMENT
Rural area jobs will be affected.
Primary concentration of biodiesel jobs.
American dream?
Relating back to seed production:
2011: 12,000 jobs
2014: 26,000 jobs!
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THE INDUSTRY TODAY
In 2016, 1.128 billion gallons were
produced.
The US Energy Information
Administration expects a 20% increase in
production.
THE MISSING LINK:
EDUCATION
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mentor: Mr. Bruce Nebens
STEAM Speaker Series Coordinator:
Prachi Patel
STEAM Expo Coordinator: Lillie Plaza
SSHS Senior Project Team
LMC International Business
[email protected]It has been an honor!