Biodiesel
Biodiesel production is one of our most exciting projects,
aiming to create an environmentally friendly commodity with the potential to
aid in the economic and environmental development of Pisco.
On the first anniversary of PSF’s formation, Burners Without Borders launched phase two of the Pisco Recovery Project. As international aid dries up, it is imperative to generate funds internally to support organizational operations and growth. Thus, BWB gurus constructed a biodiesel reactor capable of converting waste vegetable oil to eco-friendly biodiesel.
The process begins with collecting used oil from restaurants around Pisco and Paracas. This oil is reacted with methanol and caustic soda (lye), washed and dried to create a clean-burning fuel which currently powers our volunteer truck.
Our Bio Diesel project is also supported by a travelling musical and theatrical group, “The Mutaytor,” (www.themutaytor.com) who learned about the project at the Burning Man festival. Our Biodiesel reactor is now named after them and is featured on t-shirts sold by the group to raise funds for the project—thanks for the support guys!
Currently, we provide biodiesel to local fishermen as an interest-free loan. This agreement provides environmentally and economically sustainable fuel for the fishermen and a large batch of fish for the PSF volunteers at the end of the fishing season.
Long term, we hope to get the community involved in the biodiesel efforts. We have begun by inviting local school classes in to learn about the process of conversion from waste oil into usable biodiesel. The enthusiasm and interest from the Peruvian students gives us hope of helping Pisco become more self-sufficient and environmentally aware.
On the first anniversary of PSF’s formation, Burners Without Borders launched phase two of the Pisco Recovery Project. As international aid dries up, it is imperative to generate funds internally to support organizational operations and growth. Thus, BWB gurus constructed a biodiesel reactor capable of converting waste vegetable oil to eco-friendly biodiesel.
The process begins with collecting used oil from restaurants around Pisco and Paracas. This oil is reacted with methanol and caustic soda (lye), washed and dried to create a clean-burning fuel which currently powers our volunteer truck.
Our Bio Diesel project is also supported by a travelling musical and theatrical group, “The Mutaytor,” (www.themutaytor.com) who learned about the project at the Burning Man festival. Our Biodiesel reactor is now named after them and is featured on t-shirts sold by the group to raise funds for the project—thanks for the support guys!
Currently, we provide biodiesel to local fishermen as an interest-free loan. This agreement provides environmentally and economically sustainable fuel for the fishermen and a large batch of fish for the PSF volunteers at the end of the fishing season.
Long term, we hope to get the community involved in the biodiesel efforts. We have begun by inviting local school classes in to learn about the process of conversion from waste oil into usable biodiesel. The enthusiasm and interest from the Peruvian students gives us hope of helping Pisco become more self-sufficient and environmentally aware.
