As part of the Environmental Action Committee (EAC), Shravan Rajasekaran, Tae Jung Kim, and I are working to revive the production of biodiesel fuel here on campus. We successfully brewed a test batch of about three gallons of fuel and are currently working to maintain the existing equipment by replacing gaskets, hoses, and installing proper safety precautions. Once the plant is operable, we plan to use waste cooking oil from the Dining Hall to produce the fuel. We are very thankful for the support of Richard Maxwell and his staff in the kitchen and from Chuck Evans and the Maintenance Department.

Shravan is pictured above with a mason jar of our test batch fuel. Please note the heavier, darker byproduct of the reaction, glycerin, on the bottom of the jar. We will separate the glycerin from the fuel, dry it, and use it as soap.

We will keep the community updated on our progress here and on the EAC’s blog. Don’t be surprised if you see vehicles around campus running on Thacher produced fuel in the near future.