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girl_mark
Registered: 09/03/05
Posts: 9
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Biodiesel Production Crash Course with Maria 'Mark' Alovert of
biodieselcommunity.org and author of Biodiesel Homebrew Guide
Fayetteville, TN
Feb 28-March 1
Hosted by Jim Davis of http://www.fryerpower.com
$95 early registration discount until Dec 31
$108/140 regular registration thereafter
For more information and to register, see http://www.girlmark.com/tour
This is a fast-paced class designed to quickly teach the skills needed
for safely making high quality biodiesel, using a unique and truly hands-on format. Students will 'learn by doing' by making their own 5-gallon batches of biodiesel from beginning to end. There is also an opportunity to build your own full-size reactor to take home for those who purchase a parts kit in advance. This class will also discuss
farm-scale biodiesel production equipment, and process options that make such production more efficient in a farm schedule.
Students will spend one day learning basic theory, practicing
titration, making mini-batches, and learning quality testing. The
second day is devoted to solidifying the theory you just learned, by making biodiesel in realistic "Processor Stations', practicing every step used in a full-size home biodiesel production system. Student teams will operate realistic, tabletop 5-gallon processor systems- a miniature version of the common Appleseed Processor/wash tank/dry tank found around the world- and the tabletop reactor will familiarize them with every valve, tank, pump, switch, and interconnect that would be found in a full-size system. The goal of the class format is to take the hands-on learning experience a big step beyond the '1-liter
mini-batch' equipment used in most biodiesel classes. There will also be a full-size reactor system on a trailer at the class, including GL-1 and pot still-type methanol recovery systems.
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. 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:
In the crash course, you will first learn the basic theory 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 to ensure that you understand why every step is done as well as when.
Equipment Building (Crash Course class):
We can also build some processors at the end of the Crash Course, 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.
Preparation and reading:
Because this is a fast-paced class, it is highly recommended that you purchase, ahead of time, an inexpensive mini-titration/test batch kit from http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com and try to make and wash a soda-bottle test batch, using storebought, new oil, before the class. This is not mandatory but the preparation will enhance your class experience.
To make the class run smoothly and so that you get the most out of it, please read the http://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 for $15 at the class:
http://www.localb100.com/book.html , and there will be a short handout with some basic formulas for later reference.
__________________
Biodiesel Homebrew Guide: Everything You Need To Know To Make Quality Alternative Diesel Fuel From Restaurant Fryer Oil
http://www.localb100.com/book.html |
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