Location

Homebrew Biodiesel and Biodiesel Equipment Building Classes

course taught by Maria 'girl-mark' Alovert

About the instructor:
Maria 'girl Mark' Alovert is a biodiesel production technology consultant based in North Carolina. She is the author of The Biodiesel Homebrew Guide, a manual on biodiesel production (http://localb100.com), the founder of the community-written biodiesel homebrewing tutorial site http://biodieselcommunity.org and is the inventor of the Appleseed Processor, an 'open source' design now used by thousands of people around the world to produce biodiesel on a 'homebrew' scale. She has been involved in home-scale biodiesel technology development since 2000. She frequently teaches beginning and advanced biodiesel production classes around the country and is a an active participant in biodiesel production discussion forums such as http://biodiesel.infopop.cc

Background for 'Crash Course' class:

In most biodiesel workshops (including my own Biodiesel Essentials), "hands-on time" usually means a few hours of lab work involving titration and shaking 1-liter soda bottle batches, or, at best, a demonstration by the instructor of some pre-arranged steps in a full-size reactor, performed once, with the students just watching. Neither of these is an ideal learning method for the complexity involved in using a 'real' biodiesel reactor on your own for the first time at home. People who are hands-on learners sometimes need more time on "realistic" equipment operation in addition to the 1-liter shaken soda bottle batch method.

Operating your own processors in class would be more realistic than 1-liter glassware batches- but is very difficult to arrange as a class for 20 people. Operating a full system can also make it easier to understand equipment choices that face you as you design your own home system after the class, or help decide on one to purchase.

Format of 'Crash Course' class:
In the class, you will first learn the basic theory and the 'variations' techniques, using a standard one-day mini-batch class, then spend the next day actually operating (with a team of 5-8) your own 'realistic' 5-gallon mini-reactor and processing system. You and your team will make decisions and mistakes, with constant personalized guidance available to ensure that you understand why every step is done as well as when. Teams may choose from several variations on the basic process, and we will focus on quality control and equipment/process decisions needed to make high quality biodiesel, safe processing methods, and efficient system design.

Preparation and reading:

Because this is a fast-paced class, it is highly recommended that you purchase an inexpensive test batch kit/scale from www.utahbiodieselsupply.com and try to make and wash a test batch at home before the class, using storebought, new oil not requiring titration. This is not mandatory but the preparation will enhance your class experience.

To make the class run smoothly, please read the www.biodieselcommunity.org website before the class, so that you have some idea of the basic process. Copies of Biodiesel Homebrew Guide will also be available for sale fpr $15 at the class: www.localb100.com/book.html , and there will be a short handout with some basic formulas for later reference.

Building a processor to take home (optional!):

We can also build full-size processors at the end of the first day, for those students who wish to purchase a parts kit and water heater tank in advance. This is not mandatory, and everyone can help build the systems with the students who decide to purchase kits to build. We will not use these large reactors in the hands-on class, so they can be transported home without mess.

Please purchase your parts kit from the instructor ($400) or from www.utahbiodieselsupply.com

Because we are trying to fit a lot into the weekend, we don't have time to assemble your own 'store-bought' parts, and can only work from the kit. The kit sold by the instructor is similar to that formerly sold by www.b100supply.com and if b100supply.com gets them in stock again, please feel free to purchase theirs. If you are building your reactor, you will also need to bring a new or used electric water heater of any size.

Total cost for this 2 day class is $140.00  More info and registration here!