Iowa State University BioBus

Some Iowa State University students have launched a project to recycle used vegetable oil from the campus cafeterias into biodiesel to power campus buses. Students from a number of fields of study have installed a processor that turns grease into biodiesel. 

One of them is Bernardo del Campo, co-chair of the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel.

The students held weeks of trials to meet the specification for biodiesel, ASTM D6751. 

 

The full capacity of the processing unit is 55 gallons per run, which takes six to eight hours of operation, with glycerin decanting overnight.

The BioBus club will be donating what they produce to the university.  One of the school transportation buses will run on B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel, with plans to expand to more buses. 

View a WHO-TV television story about the project

Read a  US News & World Report feature recognizing their efforts for Earth Day