Evaluating Feasibility and WPI Community Opinion for Implementing a Hydrothermal Liquefaction Reactor at WPI

Weston, Ian T.

Student Work

Evaluating Feasibility and WPI Community Opinion for Implementing a Hydrothermal Liquefaction Reactor at WPI

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To make Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) more carbon neutral, this project investigates the feasibility of implementing a hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) reactor on WPI’s campus. An HTL reactor takes food and green waste and converts it to biofuel. We interviewed leaders in Chartwells and the facilities department to estimate the total waste available to the reactor. We used these estimates to interview experts in HTL to determine reactor specifications. We also surveyed WPI community members on how they viewed this reactor and if students were willing to help fund it. We found this reactor would be feasible, as we produce enough food waste to justify the use of the reactor, and that there is community support.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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