LIBERATION TECHNOLOGY (via John Resnick):

OSU develops tool for manufacturing biodiesel (TERESA BELL, 2/21/06, kgw.com )

Chemical engineering researchers at Oregon State University developed a tiny chemical reactor for manufacturing biodiesel that could help farmers produce a cleaner-burning diesel substitute using their own seed crops.

“This could be as important an invention as the mouse for your PC,” said Goran Jovanovic, the OSU professor who led the research team. “If we’re successful with this, nobody will ever make biodiesel any other way.”

Current biodiesel production methods involve dissolving a catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide, in alcohol, then agitating the alcohol mixture with vegetable oil in large vats for two hours. The liquid then sits for 12 to 24 hours while a slow chemical reaction occurs, creating biodiesel and glycerin, a byproduct that is separated. This glycerin can be used to make soaps, but first the catalyst in it must be neutralized and removed using hydrochloric acid, a tedious and costly process.

The microreactor developed at OSU eliminates the mixing, the standing time for separation and potentially the need for a dissolved catalyst.

But more importantly, Jovanovic says, the microreactor, which is about half the size of a thick credit card, could help farmers reduce their dependence on mass-produced petroleum as well as reduce the need to distribute fuel via truck, tanker or pipeline.

“This is all about producing energy in such a way that it liberates people,” Jovanovic said.