NYOHA Helps NYC Students Learn the Science of Bioheat® Fuel
The New York Oil Heating Association (NYOHA) is helping a teacher in Bronx, NY, use clean-burning Bioheat® fuel as a teaching tool in HVAC training.
Peter Gonzalez is teaching the science of Bioheat® fuel – as well as math, chemistry and English – to Bronx Design and Construction Academy juniors this fall, with the help of NYOHA, AMERIgreen fuel, and Schildwachter Oil Company. “New York City has mandated a 2% biodiesel blend, and I’m trying to educate the students on Bioheat® fuel and the importance of the industry going green,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez will teach his students about how different blends of biodiesel perform and the issues that may be encountered. Additional area companies stepped up to donate piping, fittings, copper and test kits to aid in the student projects.
“We are very proud to support the excellent work that Peter Gonzalez is doing to help prepare New York City students for a future in the Bioheat® fuel industry,” said NYOHA CEO Rocco Lacertosa. A member of the school’s HVAC Advisory Board, Lacertosa recently visited the class and discussed the industry as well as career opportunities with Gonzalez’s students. A photo gallery and video of his visit is available at NYOHA.org.
NYOHA arranged to have Schildwachter Oil Company deliver 150 gallons of AMERIgreen’s B100 Bioheat® fuel to the school. The students burn various blends in heating equipment and use combustion analysis tools to profile the emissions at each level.
“We were honored to get the call from AMERIgreen Energy about delivering a load of biodiesel to a local school in our area. Hopefully these students will continue their interests in this industry. We’re proud to part of aiding future generations to learn about alternative fuels for our industry,” said Peter Schildwachter of Schildwachter Fuel Oil.
Experimenting with blend levels is a timely exercise for the students, because the New York City Council is now considering raising the biodiesel blend level to 5% in 2016 and 20% by 2030. New York City currently requires a minimum of B2 Bioheat® fuel – a blend of 2% biodiesel with #2 or #4 heating oil; and New York State requires the use of ultra-low sulfur heating oil, which has 99% less sulfur than traditional heating oil.
“It is so wonderful to partner with NYOHA and this area Bronx school that shows an interest in teaching their students about biodiesel and renewable sources of energy,” said Michael Devine, AMERIgreen’s New England sales & marketing representative. “I applaud Mr. Gonzalez for educating his students about the benefits of using biodiesel and the impact this will have in improving our carbon footprint, as well as reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.”