30th Jun 2008
A GREEN solution to the current fuel crisis is being developed at Bedford College.
Its motor vehicle training unit on the Woburn Road Industrial Estate in Kempston has developed a biodiesel pump, where cooking oil is poured in one end and out of the pump comes diesel suitable for a vehicle.
"It can generate diesel for as little as 30p per litre as oppose to £1.20 plus at the local garage" said Paul Kneeshaw, centre manager for motor vehicle training.
"It is simply fuel come full circle. Originally, diesel engines were designed to run on bio-diesel but petoleum oil companies took over the market by creating their own form of diesel. Now, 100 years on, we are going back to the beginning".
The new pump was demonstrated at a special sustainability event staged at the Bedford College main campus. And now it is installed and ready for action at the motor vehicle training unit in Truimph Way.
Bedford College was the first college in the country to gain a Centre of Vocational Excellance in Skills for Energy to train people in motor vehicle and construction techniques which will help save the planet.
Source: Business to Business - July 2008 - Vol.10 No.7
