Hirner works on alternative fuel project

Joshua J. Hirner of Hannibal received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Truman State University during graduation ceremonies May 9. 
While at the University, Hirner was one of a select number students working to make Truman a leader in alternative fuel research as part of the school’s Bulldog Biodiesel program.
Bulldog Biodiesel began in the fall of 2007 as a collaborative effort between the agriculture science senior practicum and the American Chemical Society. The group quickly garnered the interest and support of many students and faculty within the University.
This spring, the Bulldog Biodiesel program received a grant worth more than $34,000 from the Northeast Missouri Solid Waste District to aid in its production of alternative fuel. Associate professor of agriculture Tom Marshall and associate professor of chemistry Barbara Kramer co-authored the proposal for the grant, which runs through June 2010.
Thanks to the assistance of the Agriculture Science Development Fund, the group was able to purchase a BioPro 190 automated processor in January 2008, and has since been producing biodiesel with waste vegetable oil donated by several cafeterias and community restaurants. The BioPro 190 allows Bulldog Biodiesel to make and clean approximately 50 gallons of fuel every 48 hours.
Within the area of alternative fuels, the sources of biofuels have become a hotly debated topic. Many people contend that growing crops for the sole purpose of creating fuel is too inefficient to reap any benefits. Bulldog Biodiesel is able to circumvent this argument because all of the input vegetable oil is collected from area restaurants’ fryers and would have otherwise been discarded in a landfill.
Eventually, all University Farm and Physical Plant vehicles will be powered by Bulldog Biodiesel. At some point, the purchase of a diesel generator will allow the production facility to be powered exclusively by biodiesel-generated electricity. The group would also like to obtain and operate a biodiesel-powered shuttle that makes regular stops at stores throughout Kirksville one to two days per week.