Small scale production of renewable alternative fuels

CHED 1056

Peter J Iles, peter.iles@slcc.edu1, Luther Giddings, lu.giddings@slcc.edu2, Ron Valcarce, ron.valcarce@slcc.edu2, Neil Bastian, neil.bastian@slcc.edu2, Sesh Seshadri, sesh.seshadri@slcc.edu2, Trevor Feagin2, Mark Hebert2, So Kang2, Spencer Bremmer2, and Mequi Arrendondo2. (1) Division Chair Natural Sciences, Salt Lake Community College, 4600 South Redwood Rd, PO Box 30808, Salt Lake City, UT 84130, (2) Chemistry Department, Salt Lake Community College, 4600 South Redwood Rd, PO Box 30808, Salt Lake City, UT 84130
The ACS student affiliates group at SLCC is comprised primarily of transfer students to the science disciplines. This project provided a research and chemical engineering project involving many specialties. Increasing fuel prices increase alternative fuel interest. Waste is another problem of today's society, thus producing fuel from waste would be an efficient solution to two major issues. Methane gas can be collected from wastes through acidification. Our project was designed to collect the highest percentage of methane from waste products on a small, inexpensive scale. The proper ratios of carbon to nitrogen (30:1 respectively) were identified and the methane collection apparatus was assembled.The collection system was designed for long-term production. To maximize production,passive carbon dioxide infusion was used to maintain a constant pressure and anaerobic respiration within the digester. The final product was treated to remove carbon dioxide and water.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008