Just add veggie oil
The Field Museum's newest traveling classroom visited the Oak Brook Public Library Saturday. And it didn't emit any harmful pollutants along the way.
The museum has converted a Dodge Sprinter van to run on bio-diesel fuel and waste vegetable oil donated by a Chicago restaurant to teach residents and students about alternative environmentally friendly fuels.
The Field Museum's education department unveiled the new Renewable Energy Vehicle Program last spring and now brings it to appearances at local schools, libraries and festivals.
Environmental Educator Johanna Thompson said the van has a two-tank fuel system, which holds nine gallons of diesel in one compartment and 17 gallons of filtered waste vegetable oil in the other. She can switch between the two fuels at any time without harming the van's fuel economy.
She said they chose to use vegetable oil because it's carbon neutral and emits very little pollutants when burned.
The van also houses a bio-diesel fueled go-kart. Roof-mounted solar panels power a laptop computer and flat-screen television, used for video demonstrations.
"Ultimately we just want to show people the cool and less harmful ways we can do what we need to do," Thompson said.
To learn more about the Renewable Energy Vehicle (REV) visit www.fieldmuseum.org/RenewableEnergyVehicle.