Auburn Montgomery Engineering Club manufactures first batch of biodiesel

With rising gas prices and concern about the environment, it is no surprise that the Auburn Montgomery Engineering Club is doing its part to make our campus “green.”

Markus Kreitzer, president of the Engineering Club, pours the last of the cooking oil, donated by a faculty member, to the Freedom Fueler.

On Sept. 20, the club created its first batch of biodiesel, an alternative fuel manufactured from renewable resources.

Using 20 gallons of cooking oil from the Senator Café and other sources, the club was able to manufacture about 17 gallons of biodiesel with a converter known as the Freedom Fueler.

This converter, after the fuel passes inspections, will be able to produce up to 40 gallons of biodiesel a day. The biodiesel will then be ready for use in campus vehicles.

Johnnie Kimbrough Jr. installs an exhaust tube on the Freedom Fueler prior to the conversion to eliminate any toxic fumes from the area.

“Our goal is to make the campus green,” said Linda House, director of marketing and public relations for the club. “This is our first step.”