Oct 27-28, 2023: The inaugural chemistry cultural exchange expedition (CCEE for short!) was intended to be a project kick-off trip to start the EPA P3 project. Some paperwork postponed the start of the project, but the trip took place on time!
The plan: Drive a car fueled by biodiesel to a backpacking location with some elevation. Experience the power of the biodiesel from both thermodynamic and self-empowering standpoints. A hiking route to Mt. Mitchell, NC was identified from Joe Miller’s terrific book Backpacking in North Carolina (UNC Press, March 2011), which is available at the CMS Library!
Mt. Mitchell trail from Black Mountain Campground. Red = outgoing, Blue = return.
Just after sunrise on Queens campus, a 5 gallon batch of home-brewed biodiesel was poured into the 328d. Halifax the biodiesel dog dutifully monitored the operation. Some heavy hiking was accomplished, grand views were had and overall the trip proved successful in fuel and soul.
July 11, 2024: The 2nd chemistry cultural exchange expedition found the Queens team at University of Tennesee Knoxville presenting to members of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Dr. Yunxuan Yang shown below). For this trip, approximately 8 gallons of biodiesel (Batch # 2024_001 and 002) were used. Post-presentation swims and ‘smores were had at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
July 26, 2024: The 3rd chemistry cultural exchange expedition was a bikepacking trip to Greyson Highlands to interview Chris Summerlin (below, front, plaid), a Duke Energy engineer, regarding the amount of CO2 produced from 1 kWhr of electricity. After an involved discussion of coal sources and types, we decided to go with the values published by the US Energy Information Administration to inform our Energy Use page. Approximately 10 gal of biodiesel from Batch#s 2024_002 and 003 were utilized.
