1. The students in the Freshman Academy & the Green School Initiative are proud to present the following on- line tutorial about biodiesel production at HPHS

2. The Highland Park High School Biodiesel Laboratory was designed to teach students the science behind the production of alternative sources of energy. Students and teachers in the Freshman Academy and the Green School Initiative, partnered with Loyola University to learn about biofuel production and laboratory design. This slideshow provides viewers with a step-by-step tutorial of how the biodiesel lab was constructed, and how the biodiesel fuel is produced by students.

4. Preliminary Research  The first, and most important, step in this project was for students and staff to conduct research about biofuel production methods, laboratory needs for a production facility, as well as health and safety information pertaining to biofuel production.  To assist in this research, HPHS partnered with Loyola University, who was also beginning to construct its own biodiesel production facility. Graduate students, as well as professors, from Loyola University worked directly in collaboration with HPHS students and teachers to share information, research, and production techniques.  Once we had obtained enough information about the biodiesel production process, we set to work in designing and building our lab.

5. Step One: Site Selection  After developing an understanding of the production process, and the equipment/safety needs, we set to work identifying potential lab spaces.

6. Site Selection:  An old greenhouse became the perfect spot because it met all the conditions necessary for a biofuels lab: It had excellent ventillation It had electricity & water available It was a facility that could get very dirty Spills could easily be cleaned up

7. Building the “Titration Station” A critical step in the production of biodiesel is to titrate the Waste Vegetable oil that is being used as the basis for the fuel. Our “titration station” is not glamorous, but it gets the job done.

8. “Titration Station” Directions Students in GSI created step- by-step directions for the titration process. This poster is placed by the Titration Station so that other students can follow the proper procedures.

9. Construction of the Biodiesel Reactor Through our partnership with Loyola University, we designed a biodiesel reactor that would allow us to safely create 30 gallons of biodiesel. Our design and construction process is outlined in the following slides.

10. Design of the Main Tank Photo of our main tank and connection hoses.  1) 30 gallon mix tank with a 60 degree angle base is our main tank.  2) We have a tank stand to hold it secure.  3) A series of valves and 1” reinforced PVC tubing.  4) Aquarium bubbler

11. Main Pump & Thermostat Photo of our pump, heater, thermostat, & switches  ½ horsepower Water pump (720 gallons per hour).  Internal heating device (tied into pump plumbing)  Thermostat  Electric switches for pump & heat activation

12. Students Constructing the Main Tank valves & plumbing Students from our Green School Initiative club stay after school one day a week to work on the biodiesel reactor.

13. Students connect the pump to the main mixing tank. Students in the Freshman Academy, wired all the electrical components together and assembled the pumping system.

14. The Finished Reactor Main mixing tank in center. Methoxide tank is located on the right. Pump and heater are on the left.