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I spent the last few days at a Biodiesel workshop presented by Maria “Mark” Alovert and hosted by Maud, a local biodiesel enthusiast. Mark is traveling the country providing training and equipment help for people who are setting up their own biodiesel processors at home.

For those who haven’t heard, biodiesel is a diesel fuel that is made by chemically reacting vegetable or animal fats with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst (usually lye (sodium hydroxide) or potassium hydroxide) in the presence of heat to produce methyl-esters (the biodiesel) and glycerol (aka, glycerine). The biodiesel is washed and filtered, and put into your diesel engine. Biodiesel is a true diesel fuel, is recognized by the US government as an alternative fuel, can be made from used fats (fryer oil, for instance), and can be used in any diesel engine without modification (there are a few caveats to this for older diesel engines, but usually any modification is limited to a replacement of the fuel lines, an easy process, even for the do-it-yourselfer).

As complicated as the reaction sounds, what it really boils down to is taking oil, adding a specific quantity of methanol and lye, shaking, and allowing the glycerol to settle. There are lots of little things to pay attention to and a few details, but if you can make a souffle or bake bread from scratch, you have the directions following skills needed to make biodiesel.

The workshop took three long days, beginning with biodiesel chemistry. The chemistry is fairly simple, and Mark explained everything fantastically. As a science educator I know the challenge of explaining a complex process in a way that everyone can understand, and Mark did brilliantly. We then moved to test batches. One liter is a perfect size for test batches, and we made test batches using various techniques from fresh oil, used oil, hydrogenated oil (crisco), lard, and whatever else we could find. We used various catalysts and alcohols, and discussed the merits of each. We intentionally messed up a few batches so we could attempt to fix them chemically.

The next day we gathered the materials for manufacturing a few biodiesel processors. Small batches can be made using two liter bottles and mason jars, but anything larger needs its own reactor. It turns out that electric water heaters with their heating elements and numerous 3/4” welded bungs make ideal small-scale processors. We gathered several, and began removing all the extra stuff hanging off them that we didn’t need, stripping it down to heating element, thermostat, tank, and insulating shell. Then we plumbed it with steel pipe, adding a large pump from Harbor Freight Tools that will allow the filling, the mixing and the emptying of the tank. Mark has a real mechanical intuition, and the design involves a lot of clever tricks and ideas to let you do a lot more than a pile of steel and a recycled water heaters has the right to do.

In the end, we learned a lot, and several of the people in town now own quality biodiesel processors. I didn’t build one of my own yet because I don’t have a good spot to put it, and I don’t own a diesel vehicle yet (though I’m tossing around the idea of an older diesel Mercedes), but I’ll be helping some of the folks in town as they begin to make batches over the coming weeks.

One thing that impressed me about the group was the wide range of people coming to the workshop. We had about 10 people in all. One was a woman who decided after the Iraq invasion that she didn’t want to use gasoline anymore. Now her equipment is almost complete, and her petroleum use will be cut considerably. Another was a younger woman and older man from St. Louis NORML. The woman has been making biodiesel for a while now, but wanted to learn more about the process and make a newer processor. The older man is a professor at Washington University who wanted to learn more about the biodiesel process in relation to economic study. We also had a nice gentleman who owns a restraunt and was hoping to turn his used fryer oil into a fuel for his truck. He even provided much of the oil we used for the workshop! There was also a man and his older father who are farmers and plan on using biodiesel to run their tractors, 18-wheeler and home heating system. I was impressed by the wide range of people who were attracted to the idea of a recycled, domestically produced, non-petroleum fuel for their vehicles. Everyone had different motivations, but the same basic plan: reduce their impact, support their community, and save some money.

If you are interested in making biodiesel, do some reading at the major biodiesel forums, Biodiesel NOW and Biodiesel.infopop.cc. You might also visit the National Biodiesel Board for general information on biodiesel, and for information on where to buy commercially made biodiesel. If you are in the St. Louis area and want to know more, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with other locals who are currently making their own fuel.

Mark’s processor designs are in an ever-evolving state, but the most current information is located on the Veggie Avenger Equipment Forum. Mark sells a book about her process as well, and simple 8.5” x 11” thing that it is, it is packed with valuable information and experience. The Journey to Forever Biofuel Archives are rich with good information (and a little out-of-date info as well), and make an excellent introduction to the world of biodiesel and other biofuels.

I’ll add more links as I get them, and hopefully some photos of the workshop and our equipment as the various photographers email me their pictures.

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