downwithcarbon.org Biodiesel Plant Project

 

Research into Verified Offset Projects.

It was at the World Exhibition in Paris during 1900 that Rudolf Diesel presented a prototype of his new engine running on plant oil, the forerunner of Biodiesel. No one noticed at the time and unfortunately this type of fuel was not to be used for some considerable time, as large quantities of fossil fuels became available at a comparatively low cost.

It has taken the world a long time to understand the direct relationship between fossil fuels and global warming. It has also taken downwithcarbon.org many months of extensive research to locate and develop a new offset project which had total additionality. As part of this research we opened discussions with a likeminded environmentalist in Cairo, Egypt. Mr Ahmed Maksoud had researched the possibilities of turning waste cooking oil into biodiesel, but needed investment for the capital equipment and funding for the day-to-day expenses to make it happen. This was an ideal opportunity for downwithcarbon.org to invest in an offset project with additionality, which prevented environmental damage by the re-cycling of a waste product and employed local people.

We therefore decided to make investing in Biodiesel plants in developing nations one of our major projects. Our commitment to Mr. Maksoud's project has resulted in the creation of the first Biodiesel plant in Egypt . It is called the Cairol Project .

'The first Biodiesel Converter is purchased'

Waste Oil Collected for the Benefit of the Environment.

The benefits of using waste oil as opposed to virgin oil are mentioned on our goal page. The waste oil is collected from hotels, restaurants and private houses. Vast quantities of oil are used by the catering business and tourism is booming with new hotels being constructed all over the country. The ever-expanding tourism industry will provide a constant and indeed increasing volume of raw material.

'Waste oil being collected by a network of local people '

The Oil is Converted to Biodiesel.

The process of producing Biodiesel is quite simple. However, production on a large scale is dependent on using reliable high performance equipment and good training for operators. Once all the necessary equipment has been installed, assembled and the staff trained, production can begin. The used oil is mixed with a quantity of methanol – another waste product and a very small quantity of caustic soda. This is then added to the bio converter and mixed for about 45 minutes; the oil is then pumped into settling tanks where it divides into biodiesel and a mixture of compounds including glycerine. The latter is removed and used locally to make soap. Quality processes are applied throughout to

ensure that the Biodiesel is of commercial quality. The process starts again and is continually repeated.

'The Cairo Plant'

The Project Provides Jobs and Investment in Developing Nations.

The project benefits the local community by providing additional jobs in the collection and production of the biodiesel. Many of these jobs are unskilled and therefore the extra employment benefits the neediest. Continued investment into additional equipment and biodiesel converters will produce an estimated 6 million litres of biodiesel from the first plant over a 12-month period.

'The Cairo Plant'

Distribution to European Countries.

There are many benefits to European haulage companies in using biodiesel instead of regular fossil diesel. One of the major attractions for UK companies is the 20p per litre VAT saving on biodiesel. The Cairol Project has arranged for

sales and marketing company to purchase their biodiesel, which will then be sold onto haulage companies across Europe.

'Biodiesel Hits The Road'

Investment in Proven Carbon Offsets Creates More Biodiesel Plants.

downwithcarbon.org and the Cairol Project have also conducted extensive research into producing Biodiesel in other African countries where there is an extensive supply of used cooking oil. Excellent contacts have been made in Morocco and Tunisia and these will be the next opportunities to extend the Cairol Project across Northern Africa.

The Cairol Project is verified by downwithcarbon.org Protocol.

'African Expansion Program'