What will this project even do?

      Faced with many ecological problems, Haiti needs our help. Most of Haiti has been ravaged by deforestation, because wood is Haiti’s main source of fuel, especially in rural areas. Deforestation, in turn, causes soil erosion, making a serious problem larger. Soil in Haiti is left stripped of its trees—unprotected and vulnerable to being washed away.  However, Jatropha, a local shrub, may prove to be Haiti’s remedy (pictured on right). This shrub yields many seeds that can be crushed to provide “seed oil”.  This oil can then be converted into biodiesel using our solar-powered biodiesel processor. After biodiesel is processed from the Jatropha seeds, glycerin remains as a by-product. In turn, the glycerin can be used as fertilizer to rejuvenate the soil and to make soil. In the long run, our project has the potential to turn Haiti’s ecological statistics around.
     Besides bettering Haiti’s ecology, our project will have a huge impact on the lifestyles of Haitians. Because our processor runs on solar power, excess solar energy can illuminate students attending the local school in Pichon (pictured on left). Literally. This school has no access to electricity, and the excess energy from the solar panels may provide electricity for their school and even offer them the opportunity to learn with computers. The fruits of our efforts may even vitalize Haiti’s economy by creating a new biodiesel market. By simply educating the people in Haiti about harnessing the power of their native plants, and providing the means to start processing biodiesel, we can start a domino effect of progress for Haitians. As students at McAuley, we must say that it is a privilege to be working on a project having so much potential to help both the ecology and the way of life of people in another country.
    

TO SUM IT UP

     The biodiesel itself can be used for many different purposes. It can be used to run any vehicle with a diesel engine (such as tractors and cars), it can be used for cooking, and it can be used as kerosene in lamps. The biodiesel will replace any need for wood, and will hopefully put an end to the destructive deforestation. If the Haitian's cannot find their own use for the biodiesel they can sell it as a commodity to other towns or even countries! The system they'll be receiving can produce about 45 gallons every few days.

    Biodiesel's by-product, glycerin, can be used for just as much. When diluted, glycerin can be used as a fertilizer and will be able to provide the Haitian citizens with a way to rejuvenate their soil to create better growing conditions for potential crops. Glycerin can also be used in soaps, which would be able to improve their sanitation and health.

    Now, the solar panels, which provide energy to the pumps in the processor system, will also be able to provide the school with electricity. The electricity will enable to school to have lighting, and offer them the opportunity to learn with computers. Along with the obvious advantages of the computers, the lights will also help significantly. Right now the only school is only open during the lit day hours, but with the lights in effect the school will have the option of staying open later and longer, possibly educating students past their current standard of about 5th grade.

   The final advantage this processor will provide to the town of Pichon, Haiti jobs. There will have to be people to educate others on how to use the processor, someone to actually create the biodiesel, and someone to guard the system. Hopefully this system will have a snowball effect and will encourage other Haitian towns to get involved with biodiesel!