Environmentally Sustainable Transportation Education and Research Laboratory:
For mobile biodiesel production, and alternative energy education and research


ESTER Contact Information:
Josh Maynard
Maynard@cubiodiesel.org

Mission

CU Biodiesel’s new processor and mobile research lab, ESTER, is going to be much more than just a place to make biodiesel. As a mobile processor, it will be a resource that we can bring to events, schools, and workshops around the state. ESTER can be used at events as a working processor display that can be integrated with fun games and information for children and adults. Not only will this provide an informative and attractive display, but it will help to boost CU’s image as a leader in biofuels education.

At the primary and secondary level schools, ESTER will be integrated with the PYB curriculum (Project Yellow Bus) to provide children with knowledge and respect for the environment and how humans affect it. Students will also get to take part in decorating parts of the mobile unit. At the higher levels biodiesel use and production will be integrated with the PYB lessons, along with many other forms of renewable energy. ESTER will make workshops much more accessible and informative. In addition to be used as a hands-on lab and learning module, it will allow for specific questions to be answered and tested in the field.

At the CU campuses ESTER will be a valuable learning aid for students and faculty. It will be available for faculty to integrate into their lesson plans for a quick and convenient site visit. Students who then take an interest in biodiesel related projects can work with CU Biodiesel members to test new ideas or conduct research. ESTER will help CU to step forward in the renewable energy arena with an on-site research station. CU will also step forward in the eyes of the general public, students, and parents by displaying our efforts to curb fossil fuel consumption and green house gas emissions.

• Work with various CU student organizations, CU academic departments, and affiliated groups to improve various components of the mobile facility. Collaborative efforts with other organizations provide opportunities for intra-university cooperative involvement.
• Design emphasis is placed on low-impact, sustainable improvements to be incorporated into our original facility. Improvements include: energy system, waste management system, life support system, safety and emergency system, laboratory and demonstration workstations, exterior and interior design.

Objectives

Phase 1:

• Acquire trailer, biodiesel processing equipment, and containment devices.
• Install biodiesel processing equipment and containment devices into trailer.
• Test installed biodiesel processing system for structural integrity, placement stability, processing capability, and overall design.

Phase 2:

• Acquire lab equipment, furniture, supplies, and reagents for biodiesel workshops.
• Install lab workstations inside the facility.
• Test lab workstations for structural integrity, placement stability, and functionality.
• Work with CU students and organizations to implement modifications to the mobile biodiesel processing facility. Modifications are intended to improve on various components that would allow for an efficiently low-impact, energy sustainable facility.
• Test all installed components and component modifications for structural integrity, placement stability, and functionality.

Phase 3:

• Promote biodiesel awareness and education in local, regional, and national communities through the use of the mobile biodiesel education facility.
• Encourage biodiesel research by providing a functional, safe, and environmentally low-impact biodiesel research workstation and initiating biodiesel related research projects.

Work with CU students and organizations to implement modifications to the mobile biodiesel processing facility. Modifications are intended to improve on various components that would allow for an efficiently low-impact, energy sustainable facility.

Promote biodiesel awareness and education in local, regional, and national communities through the use of the mobile biodiesel education facility.

ESTER BLUEPRINTS

The following document is our processor design in our trailer. Completion of the plan is in progress.

You can view an animated drawing of the main reactor* (based on Graham Lammings Ecosystem processor) by opening the following link in internet explorer: Ester eDrawings
*Original drawing with SolidWorks by Setareh Saadat: setareh.saadat@colorado.edu

• the beginning of a revolution
• back view of ESTER
• we are receiving new stuff every week and always need more help

If you would like to cooperate with the project, please feel free to stop by our office. You can also email the project manager directly. Maynard@cubiodiesel.org