ALTERNATIVE

ENERGY: BIODIESEL,
THE ENVIRONMENT
AND THE ECONOMY
2

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.
14

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

=
21

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
Shahrukh324@gmail.com
It has been an honor!