James Madison University Alternative Fuels Program
Fuels
Background
With skyrocketing fuel prices and political instability, alternative fuels are a state and national priority. Fuels, such as ethanol, hydrogen, and biodiesel, which can be derived locally from agricultural crops and potentially animal wastes, are particularly attractive. Alternative technologies are a logical complement. The funded, applied projects we have include developing a hydrogen fuel cell back-up power station for Shenandoah National Park, converting a portion of the university's waste vegetable oil to biodiesel fuel, and understanding truck driver technology adoption patterns. Examples of exploratory student projects include construction of hybrid vehicles, development of ethanol production methods, and production of biodiesel production from algae. Multiple alternative fuels and advaced vehicles are utilized by JMU, and an overview of our projects and fuel use is included below.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is an attractive energy source because it can be made from renewable energy sources and it produces less emissions when combusted. One of the key challenges to transitioning to hydrogen fuel is how to generate the hydrogen. Natural gas is the most common source; however, that does not solve society's fossil fuel dependency. Electrolysis, the splitting of water into its hydrogen and oxygen components, is a possible solution. JMU senior project students are investigating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to power electrolyzers. A small-scale (10-20 kW), electrolyzer-based remote power unit is being constructed in a trailer, and will be tested as a back-up power source for Shenandoah National Park's air monitoring station. The system will be permanently installed as part of JMU's solar electric (photovoltaic) power grid. See the Energy Sector for more information.
Biodiesel
Several JMU students are currently involved in the design and construction of a biodiesel three-wheeler. A donated mid-80's Yamaha motorcycle and a 1972 Volkswagon SuperBeetle from a local junk yard are being combined. The original gasoline engine has been replaced with a 1600cc VW diesel engine (also donated) that will be run on biodiesel produced by at James Madison University from waste vegetable oil (from the University dining halls).
Following several years of preliminary testing, a joint ISAT-Facilities Management Program, biodiesel has been adopted across campus. The fuel is B2, a 2% biodiesel and 98% diesel blend. The goal of the program is to gradually increase to a 20% biodiesel blend. The City of Harrisonburg has also adopted the resolution to transition to biodiesel fuel in transit and school buses. Ours is an exemplary collaboration with the City, receiving acknowledgement from President Bush over the summer of 2005. We are currently conducting preliminary investigations into a variety of alternative agricultural feedstocks that will be needed to impliment biodiesel on a global scale. This research is just beginning and has recently become part of ISAT's growing biomanufacturing research program. This represents an important inter-college collaboration opportunity.
Last year JMU initiated its investigations into biodiesel feedstocks by preparing fuel samples from eight different vegetable oils. Samples were evaluated in a bomb calorimeter, and showed a surprising difference in energy density between fuels derived from different natural sources, including olive and canola oils which contained more energy than petroleum diesel. Higher energy translates into better fuel mileage and lower fuel consumption. However, all of the fuels developed by the laboratory must be evaluated according to the specifications outlined by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) to ensure compatibility with modern engines and today's high-pressure electronic fuel injection systems. Read much more about biodiesel at JMU Biodiesel.
Compressed Natural Gas
JMU's alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fleet includes a eleven dual-fuel CNG vehicles,. JMU has two CNG refueling stations on campus. The CNG vehicles are managed by Facilities Management and available for employee business travel through the Motor Pool. CNG lowers particulate emissions and is desirable in high-pedestrian areas, such as campus where the moving truck will operate. Read more about the JMU AFV fleet.
Ethanol
While biodiesel is well-suited to be used in existing diesel engines, it is not compatible with the gasoline engines found in most passenger vehicles. Ethanol and ethanol blends (such as E85) are currently being implemented in the Mid-West, and present an attractive alternative to gasoline. The problem, once again, lies in identifying an agricultural feedstock that can produce enough fuel to meet global energy demands.
Macrocystis Pyrifera, also known as giant sea kelp, can grow more than a foot a day. It is one of the fastest growing plants known to man, and can be harvested from the ocean by large-scale commercial vessels. This seaweed is low in oil, storing much of it's energy as starches and sugars. While this is not ideal for making biodiesel, it is well suited for the production of ethanol. The conversion of sugar to alcohol has been known for more than 9000 years, and is now gained renewed attention as petroleum prices escalate. JMU is in the process of developing an ethanol production facility intended to investigate the ethanol potential of a variety of alternative fuel feedstocks, including the giant sea kelp, Macrocystis Pyrifera.
In conjunction with the newly developing ethanol production facility, JMU students will soon begin converting gasoline powered vehicles to run on ethanol. A 1963 antique WheelHorse tractor donated in 2005 is slated for conversion this year.
