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Biodiesel pipes

Biodiesel Program

Our biodiesel program converts used vegetable oil into fuel and other products, with the long-term goal of reducing waste, conserving resources, and combatting climate change.  In the Searle Biodiesel Lab, our goal is to operate a zero-waste production process while offering experiential learning opportunities for students.

Biodiesel Program Overview

The Facility

The Searle Biodiesel Lab was built in 2013 to accommodate our growing operations and was officially named in October 2014. The lab is located within the School of Environmental Sustainability’s main building on Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus. The space houses our fifth-generation biodiesel processor, methanol recovery system, and soap production equipment. It also contains laboratory space for research and quality testing. View a video tour of the facility here

Products

The biodiesel program collects used cooking oil from Loyola food service facilities, other universities, local businesses, and institutions such as museums and converts this waste oil into renewable biodiesel fuel. The resulting fuel powers our fleet of campus shuttle buses. The lab team uses byproducts from fuel production to make environmentally friendly soap for campus restrooms and kitchens. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lab also produced hand sanitizer for use on campus.

Quality Control

The Searle Biodiesel Lab includes an extensive chemical analytics research lab that allows our students to test all of our fuel to ensure it meets the highest quality standards. We use industry-standard equipment and peer-reviewed procedures and cross-check our results with an external (third party) lab for accuracy. In the process, students gain hands-on experience with lab instruments and analytical chemistry. 

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The Facility

The Searle Biodiesel Lab was built in 2013 to accommodate our growing operations and was officially named in October 2014. The lab is located within the School of Environmental Sustainability’s main building on Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus. The space houses our fifth-generation biodiesel processor, methanol recovery system, and soap production equipment. It also contains laboratory space for research and quality testing. View a video tour of the facility here

Products

The biodiesel program collects used cooking oil from Loyola food service facilities, other universities, local businesses, and institutions such as museums and converts this waste oil into renewable biodiesel fuel. The resulting fuel powers our fleet of campus shuttle buses. The lab team uses byproducts from fuel production to make environmentally friendly soap for campus restrooms and kitchens. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lab also produced hand sanitizer for use on campus.

Quality Control

The Searle Biodiesel Lab includes an extensive chemical analytics research lab that allows our students to test all of our fuel to ensure it meets the highest quality standards. We use industry-standard equipment and peer-reviewed procedures and cross-check our results with an external (third party) lab for accuracy. In the process, students gain hands-on experience with lab instruments and analytical chemistry.