I teach biodiesel production and equipment building classes, and have a few coming up. One is the Biodiesel Essentials class and the other is a more wide-ranging 'Advanced Topics Forum'. It's hard for me to sell people on the Advanced Topics forum and I do it because it's very fun for me, but it's really an amazing experience- you'll be sitting in class with other experienced biodieselers discussing 'real-world' examples of high-tech topics. Biodieselers with experience have also called the Essentials class useful.
Riverhead, NY (Long Island) Sept 18-21 (2 different classes)
Brooksville FL (Tampa area) Oct 9-12 (2 different classes)
Oklahoma City area (Piedmont OK) Nov 1-2 Biodiesel Essentials
Wilmington, NC late Nov-early Dec Biodiesel Essentials
Each class is $120, runs about 10-5 each day.
Biodiesel Essentials includes a buildout of a processor for anyone who wants to pre-purchase plumbing and a water heater to put one together . There's more information and to register, see my site:
Biodiesel classes with Maria 'girl Mark' Alovert, fall 2008
Here's my topic list for the Biodiesel Essentials and Advanced Topics classes:
Some topics covered in the Biodiesel Essentials class:
biodiesel/SVO/solvent thinning (ie DSE etc) options and history
biodiesel chemistry
testing oil (titration and water testing)
removing water from oil
making test batches
an overview of equipment
Equipment build- help build a reactor at the end of Sunday's class
quality control factors
quality testing
mistwashing and other water washing options
breaking emulsion
two-stage base biodiesel
waste water and glycerine treatment and disposal
reuse
waterless soap removal with Amberlite and GL's process
common pitfalls
hands-on experience recovering from failed batches and emulsion
special considerations for biodiesel made with ethanol instead of methanol
safety
The Advanced Topics class covers topics that include:
Quality control
analysis of real-world problems with offspec biodiesel
"ASTM testing" for those considering commercial production
gas chromatography versus other options for testing for conversion
acid-base biodiesel process
advanced topics in dewatering of oil
using glycerine in your process for various benefits
testing for soap
methanol recovery and equipment design
testing recovered methanol for purity
zeolite and other methods for improving methanol purity
issues to avoid when "waterless washing" with ion exchange resin
acid-base chemistry and safety
testing for residual soap
acidulation of soap in glycerine, special equipment considerations
Recapturing oils or biodiesel trapped in glycerine or wash water
dealing with high-water-content oils
Graham Laming-type vapor control system
spill-proofing your system
regulatory issues
taxes
larger-scale equipment design (for co-ops or small farms)
treating wash water and glycerine for disposal or other uses
commercial tests for wash water- BOD, COD, FOG, etc
real-world test results related to biodegradability/safety of sidestream disposal
burning glycerine safely for energy
hydronic/solar applications for biodiesel and wash water heating
disaster prevention scenarios exercises for larger-scale processor systems
discussion of regulatory topics for non-commercial producers larger than homebrew
solar heating options
very through discussion/demonstration of several different options in washing, including drawbacks and advantages
greywater systems for wash water recycling
Linear Mode
