Hands-on Biodiesel Homebrewing Workshop with Andrew Morris
In Oakland, Sept. 29, 9:30-5:30
$90 Including Lunch Limit 8 Participants
Second person from the same household 1/2 price
To register: email morris1524@...
This class is designed to give you the hands on experience you need to
begin making your own high quality fuel.
Topics Include: We will Demo & Practice
* Basic Chemistry of Making Biodiesel
* Oil Quality Testing - Free Fatty Acid Titration and Quantitative
Water Test
* Calculations for Methanol and Catalyst Use
* Fuel Quality Testing For Conversion
* Washing Techniques
* Separating Fuel From Glycerol and Water
* Processor Operation
* Avoiding & Breaking Emulsion
* Processor Design & Building Tips
* Basic Safety Guidelines
This class will combine lab, practical, theory and Q&A.
Recommended Resources:
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc
http://www.biodieselpictures.com

Offered again on November 3.  Details same as above

"Reactor Mechanics and System Tricks" biodiesel homebrewing class for
advanced beginners
New session- August 4 or  5, 9-5, Oakland, CA, $70
one-day class, two sessions

to register: www.girlmark.com/tour
  *********************************
This class is geared to people who already know how to make biodiesel,
either in a lab-scale or one-liter setting, or for those who already
homebrew but would like to compare notes with me on how I manage my
system. This may become a two-day class at some point if I find that it
needs that much time to run through all of the proposed syllabus listed
below (two-day class would be a weekend activity)

In this class we run actual full-size batches,  in a real reactor at an
actual site, and try to run the class through every single step so as to
discuss 'tricks' and tips on reactor mechanics. Ive been obsessing about
how beginning biodieselers (and some advanced people) don't tend to use
secondary containment, tend to make more messes than they should, tend
to gas themselves with methanol by draining glycerine unsafely, etc. I'd
like to do this class as a way to help students overcome this aspect of
the learning curve- the common equipment-based mistakes having to do
with operating procedures.

This class is geared to people who already know how to make biodiesel,
either in a lab-scale or one-liter setting or who already homebrew but
would like to compare notes with me on how I manage my system. You may
take this class after attending a regular homebrewing class taught by
someone else as well as if you have learned how to make biodiesel on
your own. We dont go into a lot of detail on titration and chemistry
here so that's the info you should have 'down' already on your own prior
to taking this "system tricks" class.

*********************************************

Syllabus looks something like this:


Start a batch of fuel in a large Appleseed homebrew processor.
Discuss safe heating, tank fires, use of hydronic heating methods, and
heat exchangers. Demonstrate heat exchanger-based Appleseed.
Discuss some electrical safety interconnects proposed for heating
element control in 'regular' electric heaters.
Discuss tricks for measuring lye safely
Discuss tricks for measuring methanol safely
Discuss pumps for pumping methanol safely
Demonstrate air-powered pumps and discuss air compressor requirements
and electrical consumption if using air pumps for reactor mixing.
Discuss materials compatibility with various fuel processes and
chemicals used, and discuss where inappropriate plastics can still be
used with fewer consequences.
Discuss sight tubes and sight glass sources, ways of using them, ways of
installing them, what to look for in industrial parts catalogs
Demonstrate use of powered methanol/lye mixers that are not just passive
carboy method. Discuss pros and cons of both types of systems.
Discuss methanol vapor release to atmosphere.
Discuss fire safety issues.


drain a batch of glycerine in another Appleseed (my processor trailer)
and discuss how to avoid methanol vapor exposure during this process
discuss/demonstrate how to separate glycerine from biodiesel to minimize
emulsions. Most beginner mistakes having to do with emulsion are
actually a separation issue where the person inadvertently contaminates
their wash tank with extra soap because they haven't separated the
glycerine from the biodiesel completely. There are some tests to ensure
this is actually done.
Discuss standpipe separating tanks, and demonstrate several ways of
designing them.
Discuss ways to minimize contamination with unwanted material.
Discuss various kinds of quick-connects and other ways to deal with the
messes caused by hoses. Most spills and other hazards are probably due
to homebrewers relying on hose rather than pipe.
Demonstrate the use of hard plumbing and ways of managing multiple valves
Demonstrate different methods of labeling the process and the steps, and
demonstrate one system using a 'protocol checklist' to minimize
confusion when operating multiple valves.

Transfer finished fuel from processor trailer to wash tanks and discuss
washing equipment
Demonstrate several types of washing nozzles and important considerations
Discuss closed versus open wash tanks
Discuss venting and air displacement
Demonstrate use of non-siphoning overflow mistwash tank plumbing
Demonstrate use of sump pump to move water to a drain
Demonstrate soap test titration
Discuss emulsions (I will make one for us to play with)
Break emulsion with various ways
Discuss wash tank heating methods
Discuss water disposal and ways of separating oils and water and what
happens when it is done with various methods
Discuss/demonstrate water neutralizing

Drain wash water from first wash and discuss "how you know when you're
finished with washing"
Go into more detail on emulsions and water retention
Demonstrate separation of water and biodiesel using various kinds of tanks
Discuss "white stuff" that isn't emulsion
Discuss materials compatibility and water hardness issues with regards
to washing
Discuss three different drying methods for getting water out of washed
biodiesel
Discuss tests for dryness of finished biodiesel

Test some finished biodiesel for quality in various ways

When the batch that we're making is finished processing, we can perform
an 80%/20% two-stage base-base process and demonstrate various equipment
methods required to make it easier
We will follow it with a 5% water prewash for minimizing soap in wash.
There are many ways of handling this complex process (80/20 followed by
5%) and we'll demonstrate and discuss several possible solutions to the
unwanted complexity

We will burn some glycerine in a homemade glycerine burner and
demonstrate ways of moving the heat safely to heat a batch of oil for
another batch of biodiesel.

I'll briefly discuss filtration though this isn't terribly complex
We'll discuss different hosing material and tricks for
handling/wrangling lots of hose

We'll demonstrate a 'cubee handling' system for minimizing the hassle
involved in processing oil that comes in 5 gallon cubes
We'll demonstrate straining of oil
We'll discuss, possibly only theoretically as it cant be shown in a
one-day class, the 'heat and let settle' method of dewatering wet oil
We'll discuss fire safety if you choose to dewater oil using boiling
temperatures.


Mark

July 17, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRST LOS ANGELES BIODIESEL COMMUNITY CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AUGUST 1ST

Press Contacts:
Rob Reed: 310-399-3659 - rob@...
Gretchen Gray: 310-880-3892 – gretchen.gray@...

The first Biodiesel Community Conference will he held August 1, 2007
from 7pm to 10pm at Mt. Olive Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa
Monica, CA 90405.

Los Angeles, CA – (July 16, 2007) The Los Angeles Biodiesel Community
Conference is open to the general public and will offer action-based
discussions on Biodiesel Basics, Legislation, Local Distribution,
School Bus and Other Fleet Usage, Biodiesel Education, and more.

The event is being sponsored by Southern California Disposal and
Recycling, and will be hosted by The Los Angeles Biodiesel Working
Group, the LA Biodiesel Co-op, Socalbug (the Southern California
Biodiesel Users Group), and Josh Tickell, author of "From the Fryer
to the Fuel Tank" and "Biodiesel America."

The purpose of the conference is to empower and educate the public,
local businesses and community leaders in their efforts to make
biodiesel a viable fuel option for Southern California. Collectively
we will establish a groundbreaking action plan that will provide the
steps to expand biodiesel distribution in Southern California and
establish new legislation that promotes sustainable fuel options.

We, as a community, can make biodiesel an affordable and available
fuel option. It is time for us to unite and take action today!  For
more information, visit www.socalbug.org.

Please contact Rob Reed or Gretchen Gray to schedule an interview
with the following individuals to discuss the Biodiesel Community
Conference agenda and action plan before or at the event: Josh
Tickell – Author/Filmmaker; Kent Bullard - Chairman of Socalbug, a
501c3 non-profit organization, and Kris Moller – Owner/Operator of
Conserv Fuel (www.conservfuel.com).

If you would like to attend the Biodiesel Community Conference please
R.S.V.P. to:  http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?
event=RPOJJMHHFRVGPATDMHFR&unknownUser=true

Crissi Avila
crissiann@...
(626)975-1433

Hello!

I just wanted to let everyone know about our meeting coming up this
Sunday July 8th in Santa Monica from 2pm until 4pm.

We will discuss how to get more biodiesel pumps in Los Angeles up and
running. Please come and help us strategize!

Tree Media
2218 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Cross street is Pacific.

Please park on the street or in one of the nearby parking lots.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call me.

Crissi Avila
(626)975-1433
crissiann@...

I'm sorry to have accidentally posted discussion to this list. As you
may have seen, I'm thinking of making this announcements list a
California-wide one, as there are a lot of people on this list who are
from Southern California or the Central Coast, and there are
occasionally some interesting events in SoCal which Bay Area people
may even want to travel for.

The name will change to california-biodiesel-events, I'll probably
wait a couple of weeks for feedback from other moderators before
making the change.

Thanks!
Maria "Mark" Alovert
one of the many moderators here.

Dear Crissi,
I don't use the calendar section but perhaps we really should. Mostly
this is just an email list, so just send an email and make sure to put
'LA county' or something similar in the title so that the Bay Area
people don't get excited. You'll probably get a 'moderate- crissy posted
to norcal-biodiesel-events' email from yahoogroups which will have
instructions on how to moderate your own post. If you forget to do that
yourself, someone else from the moderator team will probably check and
moderate (ie approve) the post for you.

Mark

Dear other moderators:

Crissi's from the LA biodiesel group that has been very active recently,
and I invited her to post SoCal events occasionally. I"m vaguely
considering making this a California-wide list rather than just a
Northern Cal list since people sometimes travel for events, and the
Central Cost folks are starting to get fairly active and don't have a
list of their own. no one else seems to be running a California
biodiesel calendar at the moment.

What do y'all think?

Also, please send me your events if you ahve any planned so we can get a
July calendar out. Andrew, is there a date for the Homebrew Club meeting
yet?


Crissi Avila wrote:
>
> Mark,
>
>
>
> I posted the event in the Calendar section but don’t see any other
> posts. Is this the correct location?
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Crissi Avila
>
> Outreach Coordinator
>
> Portland Energy Conservation, Inc.
>
> Cell (626)975-1433
>
> crissiann@... <mailto:crissiann@...>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* NorCal-biodiesel-events moderator
> [mailto:NorCal-biodiesel-events-owner@yahoogroups.com]
> *Sent:* Monday, July 02, 2007 4:44 PM
> *To:* crissiann@...
> *Subject:* Yahoo! Groups: You're invited! Join NorCal-biodiesel-events
> today.
>
>
>
> Join this group! <http://groups.yahoo.com>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups is a free service that allows you to stay in touch with
> friends and family or meet new people who share your interests. Yahoo!
> Groups values your privacy. It is a violation of our service rules for
> members to abuse this invitation feature. If you feel this has
> happened, please notify us
> <http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/abuse/index.html>. You may also
> change your email preferences
>
<http://groups.yahoo.com/s?tag=FrWakgUKwObV9hyQ9JnSa4MfQ73770sl_ghn3r1rFEGykWf6H\
66u3-qsVJUinLasOxioLTQn8VuyDD9t8Q>
> to stop receiving group invitations in the future. Your use of Yahoo!
> Groups is subject to our Terms of Service
> <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>.
>

One-day Reactor Mechanics and System Tricks class for advanced beginners
in homebrew biodiesel:

Session 1: July 28
Session 2: July 29th (class is only one day long but repeats for a
second session)
Possible additional weekday session on July 25 or 26

Oakland, CA
$70

This class is geared to people who already know how to make biodiesel,
either in a lab-scale or for those who already homebrew full-size
batches but would like to compare notes with me on how I manage my
system. You may take this class after attending a regular homebrewing
class taught by someone else, as well as if you have learned how to make
biodiesel on your own. We dont go into a lot of detail on titration and
chemistry here so that’s the info you should have ‘down’ already on your
own prior to taking this “system tricks” class.

This class will be fairly small as the space only holds about 10 people.
It takes place in two identical sessions on the week of July 28. If
there is sufficient interest I will add another session during the
Wednesday or Thursday before that weekend. Email me at
classregistration@... with 'system tricks' in the subject line
if you're interested in a weekday date.

*********************************************

Syllabus will look something like this:

Start a batch of fuel in a large Appleseed homebrew processor.
Discuss safe heating, tank fires, use of hydronic heating methods, and
heat exchangers. Demonstrate heat exchanger-based Appleseed.
Discuss some electrical safety interconnects proposed for heating
element control in ‘regular’ electric heaters.
Discuss tricks for measuring lye safely
Discuss tricks for measuring methanol safely
Discuss pumps for pumping methanol safely
Demonstrate air-powered pumps and discuss air compressor requirements
and electrical consumption if using air pumps for reactor mixing.
Discuss materials compatibility with various fuel processes and
chemicals used, and discuss where inappropriate plastics can still be
used with fewer consequences.
Discuss sight tubes and sight glass sources, ways of using them, ways of
installing them, what to look for in industrial parts catalogs
Demonstrate use of powered methanol/lye mixers that are not just passive
carboy method. Discuss pros and cons of both types of systems.
Discuss methanol vapor release to atmosphere.
Discuss fire safety issues.

drain a batch of glycerine in another Appleseed (my processor trailer)
and discuss how to avoid methanol vapor exposure during this process
discuss/demonstrate how to separate glycerine from biodiesel to minimize
emulsions. Most beginner mistakes having to do with emulsion are
actually a separation issue where the person inadvertently contaminates
their wash tank with extra soap because they haven’t separated the
glycerine from the biodiesel completely. There are some tests to ensure
this is actually done.
Discuss standpipe separating tanks, and demonstrate several ways of
designing them.
Discuss ways to minimize contamination with unwanted material.
Discuss various kinds of quick-connects and other ways to deal with the
messes caused by hoses. Most spills and other hazards are probably due
to homebrewers relying on hose rather than pipe.
Demonstrate the use of hard plumbing and ways of managing multiple valves
Demonstrate different methods of labeling the process and the steps, and
demonstrate one system using a ‘protocol checklist’ to minimize
confusion when operating multiple valves.

Transfer finished fuel from processor trailer to wash tanks and discuss
washing equipment
Demonstrate several types of washing nozzles and important considerations
Discuss closed versus open wash tanks
Discuss venting and air displacement
Demonstrate use of non-siphoning overflow mistwash tank plumbing
Demonstrate use of sump pump to move water to a drain
Demonstrate soap test titration
Discuss emulsions (I will make one for us to play with)
Break emulsion with various ways
Discuss wash tank heating methods
Discuss water disposal and ways of separating oils and water and what
happens when it is done with various methods
Discuss/demonstrate water neutralizing

Drain wash water from first wash and discuss “how you know when you’re
finished with washing”
Go into more detail on emulsions and water retention
Demonstrate separation of water and biodiesel using various kinds of tanks
Discuss “white stuff” that isn’t emulsion
Discuss materials compatibility and water hardness issues with regards
to washing
Discuss three different drying methods for getting water out of washed
biodiesel
Discuss tests for dryness of finished biodiesel

Test some finished biodiesel for quality in various ways

When the batch that we’re making is finished processing, we can perform
an 80%/20% two-stage base-base process and demonstrate various equipment
methods required to make it easier
We will follow it with a 5% water prewash for minimizing soap in wash.
There are many ways of handling this complex process (80/20 followed by
5%) and we’ll demonstrate and discuss several possible solutions to the
unwanted complexity

We will burn some glycerine in a homemade glycerine burner and
demonstrate ways of moving the heat safely to heat a batch of oil for
another batch of biodiesel.

I’ll briefly discuss filtration though this isn’t terribly complex
We’ll discuss different hosing material and tricks for
handling/wrangling lots of hose

We’ll demonstrate a ‘cubee handling’ system for minimizing the hassle
involved in processing oil that comes in 5 gallon cubes
We’ll demonstrate straining of oil
We’ll discuss, possibly only theoretically as it cant be shown in a
one-day class, the ‘heat and let settle’ method of dewatering wet oil
We’ll discuss fire safety if you choose to dewater oil using boiling
temperatures.

Registration info and other classes info is at www.girlmark.com/tour

Mark

Not going anywhere on the weekend of July 1? Come learn to make
biodiesel and build some equipment for the process.

Note: there are plenty of spaces in this particular class, unlike my
usual Berkeley classes it probably won't sell out due to the dates
conflict with Independence Day holidays.

However, if you would like to build a processor to take home, there is a
deadline of June 16th to order parts from www.b100supply.com so as to
have them arrive in time. That deadline is tomorrow, June 16. Direct any
parts-related questions to b100supply.

*********************************************************

Biodiesel Homebrewing/Equipment Building Class with Maria 'girl Mark'
Alovert of http://biodieselcommunity.org

Berkeley

10-4 Saturday and Sunday, June 30-July 1

to register: see http://girlmark.com/tour


*************************

Biodiesel is a clean-burning diesel alternative made from any natural
oil or fat. It can be made easily in a backyard or garage environment.

In this class, you will learn how to make your own clean burning diesel
fuel alternative and how to build the processing equipment to make it at
home safely...


This is a comprehensive, hands-on workshop on making homebrew biodiesel
fuel out of waste restaurant fryer oil, which can usually be acquired
for 'free'.

Most of the class focuses on the chemistry behind biodiesel homebrewing
and quality control, and we'll be doing a lot of 'lab' work making test
batches, and variations on different formulas.

The feel of the class is a bit like the mad scientist version of "high
school chem lab" (hopefully without the spitballs and giggling)- you'll
be doing hands-on lab exercises in small groups, which will teach you
how to make and troubleshoot your home batches- and we'll be learning
the chemistry basics that underlie making good quality fuel for your
vehicle.

This is a fast-paced class, and I strongly recommend that you read this
website first: http://www.biodieselcommunity.org to get a background for
this subject.

The class will also cover equipment and system construction. We will
discuss heat exchangers, solar thermal heating of the process, some
minimal methanol recovery information, and other equipment topics.

At the end of this class, we build some biodiesel processors for those
students who wish to buy the parts. Everyone helps, regardless of
whether you want to buy your own kit or not. Buying a kit is completely
optional.

I'd like you to get those parts kits for the class from
http://b100supply.com . They offer us a discount of $50 off of either of
their processor kits once you've registered, and their kit is very
high-quality. The deadline for ordering their parts is June 16 so that
the kit can be shipped to your house in time.

I sell the Biodiesel Homebrew Guide in this class as well, for more
info, please see my book page at http://localb100.com/book.html.
Jennifer Radtke's book, Not a Gas Station, the story of the local
biodiesel fuel station Biofuel Oasis and tips on getting into the
biodiesel distribution business, will also be available for sale. For
more information on her book, please see Jennifer's web site at
www.backyardbiodiesel.com


To register, please see the online registration at
http://www.girlmark.com/tour

Hands-on Biodiesel Homebrewing Workshop with Andrew Morris
In Oakland, June 16, 9:30-5:30
$90 Including Lunch – Limit 6 Participants
Second person from the same household ˝ price
To register: email morris1524@...
This class is designed to give you the hands on experience you need to begin
making your
own high quality fuel.
Topics Include:  We will Demo & Practice
• Basic Chemistry of Making Biodiesel
• Oil Quality Testing  - Free Fatty Acid Titration and Quantitative Water Test
• Calculations for Methanol and Catalyst Use
• Fuel Quality Testing For Conversion
• Washing Techniques
• Separating Fuel From Glycerol and Water
• Processor Operation
• Avoiding & Breaking Emulsion
• Processor Design & Building Tips
• Basic Safety Guidelines
This class will combine lab, practical, theory and Q&A.
Recommended Resources:
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc
http://www.biodieselpictures.com

Upcoming biodiesel and SVO workshops and events in Northern California:

June 16: Homebrewing workshop with Andrew Morris
June 20: Introductory biodiesel fundamentals workshop with Bill Michell
June 30-July 1: Homebrewing workshop and equipment build with Maria
'Mark' Alovert
July 5: *Biofuels: Sustainability through Technology - The Californian
Model panel discussion at PG&E
*July, Berkeley: possible weekday one-day hands-on processor
demonstration and 'system tips' class with Maria 'Mark' Alovert.

Please contact individual instructors for more information. Contact info
listed below.

*****************************************************

June 16, Oakland:

Hands-on Biodiesel Homebrewing
With Andrew Morris

In West Oakland, June 16 9:30a 5:30p $90
Including Lunch – Limit 6 Participants
Second person from the same household ½ price
To register: email morris1524@... <mailto:morris1524@...>
This class is designed to give you the hands on experience you need to
begin making your own high quality fuel.

Topics Include:  We will Demo & Practice
Basic Chemistry of Making Biodiesel
Oil Quality Testing  - Free Fatty Acid Titration and
Quantitative Water Test
Calculations for Methanol and Catalyst Use
Fuel Quality Testing For Conversion
Washing Techniques
Separting Fuel From Glycerol and Water
Processor Operation
Avoiding & Breaking Emulsion
Processor Design & Building Tips
Basic Safety Guidlines

This class will combine lab, practical, theory and Q&A.
Email to hold a Space - I will send you my address and where to send
your check: email morris1524@... <mailto:morris1524@...>
Recommended Resources:
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc
http://www.biodieselpictures.com
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biodieselbasics/
http://www.biodieselnow.com/

***********************************************************
June 30-July 1, Berkeley

Comprehensive Homebrew Biodiesel Class and equipment build with Maria
'Mark' Alovert
Biodiesel Homebrewing/Equipment Building Class with Maria 'girl Mark'
Alovert of http://biodieselcommunity.org <http://biodieselcommunity.org/>

Berkeley, CA

Saturday and Sunday, June 30-July 1
10-4

to register: see http://girlmark.com/tour

This class will build some www.B100supply.com
<http://www.b100supply.com/> equipment

*************************

Biodiesel is a clean-burning diesel alternative made from any natural
oil or fat. It can be made easily in a backyard or garage environment.
In this class, you will learn how to make your own clean burning diesel
fuel alternative and how to build the processing equipment to make it at
home safely...

This is a comprehensive, hands-on workshop on making homebrew biodiesel
fuel out of waste restaurant fryer oil, which can usually be acquired
for 'free'.
Most of the class focuses on the chemistry behind biodiesel homebrewing
and quality control, and we'll be doing a lot of 'lab' work making test
batches, and variations on different formulas.

The feel of the class is a bit like the mad scientist version of "high
school chem lab" (hopefully without the spitballs and giggling)- you'll
be doing hands-on lab exercises in small groups, which will teach you
how to make and troubleshoot your home batches- and we'll be learning
the chemistry basics that underlie making good quality fuel for your
vehicle.

This is a fast-paced class, and I strongly recommend that you read this
website first: http://www.biodieselcommunity.org
<http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/> to get a background for this subject.

Processor build:
At the end of the class, we will build biodiesel processors for students
who wish to buy parts ahead of time (deadline for kit orders: June 16).
If you don't want to make your own processor you can still help build
the others' systems. We will also discuss heat exchangers, solar thermal
heating of the process, some minimal methanol recovery information, and
other equipment topics.

Parts kits info: The optional parts kits are provided by
www.b100supply.com. They are offering a $50 discount to those who are
registered for the workshop (you'll get an e-coupon that you can use at
the b100supply site). June 16 deadline is for b100supply only, the class
will accept students till we're full. The past few Berkeley classes have
sold out so you may want to register early.

Optional book: I will also have for sale at the class, the Biodiesel
Homebrew Guide book: www.localb100.com/book.html

To register, please see the online registration at
http://www.girlmark.com/tour


***********************************************************
June 20, Menlo Park:
Biodiesel Fundamentals
at TechShop:
Wed, June 20, 7:30-9 pm
with Bill Michell

to register and for more information, please see Techshop website:
http://www.techshop.ws/take_classes.html?a=1&i=957339

In this class you will learn how to make any diesel car run on Waste
Vegetable Oil (WVO) or Biodiesel. WVO is free from most restaurants if
you offer to pick it up. The class covers Biodiesel fundamentals with a
focus on using Waste Vegetable Oil as a fuel. Educate yourself on the
simple modifications that can be made to any diesel engine which will
allow you to be free of foreign oil and gas gouging at the pump! After
this class students will be able to make the informed choice about
whether or not making diesel fuel from vegetable oil at home makes
sense. See a Mercedes- Benz 300 SDL running on free (Sushi) Waste
Vegetable Oil!

*************************************************************
July 5, San Francisco:*

*Biofuels: Sustainability through Technology - The Californian Model*

When: Thursday, July 05, 2007 12:00 PM-4:00 PM
Where: PG&E Energy Center, CR PEC Conference Center  851 Howard St. San
Francisco, CA

Panel discussion & Q/A about issues contributing to pollution by
transportation, as well as the latest technologies in both practical and
conceptual biofuel systems/products.

Part of the Overseas Research Project(ORP). ORP is a research project
carried out by approximately 40 Master's degree Manufacturing
Engineering students in their final year at Cambridge University. The
research topic 'Sustainability through Technology: the Californian
Model', which observes the technological approach to environmental
sustainability, rather than lifestyle or habitual changes.

120 people

PEC Host: Robert Marcial 2.5177

Contact: Heath Blount 505-577-1810
heath.blount@... <mailto:heath.blount@...>
San Francisco Biofuels Cooperative

*************************************
July, Berkeley:
possible weekday one-day hands-on processor demonstration class with
Maria 'Mark' Alovert.
$65

I am considering offering a one-day class during the week (all of my
weekends are full) in which I will show you around a 'real' biodiesel
processor site and will run the system through all the steps needed to
make biodiesel. This will include washing, separating glycerine, drying,
etc.

This class is designed for either beginner students who have done a lot
of reading, or advanced beginner students who have made test batches or
have made some biodiesel. The point of the class is to introduce you to
the tricks and tips for avoiding spills, making high quality fuel, safe
handling, avoiding emulsion, and other physical aspects of running your
biodiesel processor.

However,  I suggest that you attend a 'real' lab class such as my or
Andrew Morris' classes in June first so as to become comfortable with
the chemistry concepts behind homebrewing, or at least make some test
batches on your own first using the www.biodieselcommunity.org
instructions or those in my book at www.localb100.com/book.html

Please email me if you are interested in the  class and let me know you
availability during the week of July 9th or July 23 (no weekends).

classregistration@...
*************************************

Anton, the moderator of Burnveggies (northern California biodiesel/SVO
discussion forum), is hosting me for a one-day workshop on making
homebrew biodiesel at his farm in Winters, just north of Davis. Anton's
been making biodiesel for at least 7 years, and should have some
interesting real-world insights in addition to my usual information.

The  class is this Saturday- June 9, 9-5.

We'll have a barbeque dinner afterwards if everyone's into it. This
one-day class is a slightly condensed version of the two-day classes I
teach- we wont build processors and we probably won't do quite as much
'open lab' as in the normal classes- this class is geared to those who
can't make the time to attend a full weekend (there's a
two-day class in Berkeley at the end of June also, see my web page below).

*************************

Biodiesel Homebrewing/Equipment Building Class with Maria 'girl Mark'
Alovert of http://biodieselcommunity.org

Saturday, June 9th, 9-5
Winters, CA
$75
to register and for more information: see http://girlmark.com/tour

*************************

Biodiesel is a clean-burning diesel alternative made from any natural
oil or fat. It can be made easily in a backyard or garage environment.

In this class, you will learn how to make your own clean burning diesel
fuel alternative and how to test it for quality.

This is a comprehensive, hands-on workshop on making homebrew biodiesel
fuel out of waste restaurant fryer oil, which can usually be acquired
for 'free' from restaurants.

Most of the class focuses on the chemistry behind biodiesel homebrewing
and quality control, and we'll be doing a lot of 'lab' work making test
batches, and variations on different formulas.

The feel of the class is a bit like the mad scientist version of "high
school chem lab"- you'll be doing hands-on lab exercises in small
groups, which will teach you how to make and troubleshoot your home
batches- and we'll be learning the chemistry basics that underlie making
good quality fuel for your vehicle.

This is a fast-paced class, and I strongly recommend that you read this
website first: http://www.biodieselcommunity.org to get a background for
this subject.

The class will also cover some basic equipment design (although we wont
build any equipment during this class).

To register, please see the online registration at
http://www.girlmark.com/tour

http://techshop.ws/take_classes.html?a=1&i=957339

taught by Bill Michell:

Biodiesel Fundamentals
Class Number 180-477

In this class you will learn how to make any diesel car run on Waste
Vegetable Oil (WVO) or Biodiesel. WVO is free from most restaurants if
you offer to pick it up. The class covers Biodiesel fundamentals with
a focus on using Waste Vegetable Oil as a fuel. Educate yourself on
the simple modifications that can be made to any diesel engine which
will allow you to be free of foreign oil and gas gouging at the pump!
After this class students will be able to make the informed choice
about whether or not making diesel fuel from vegetable oil at home
makes sense. See a Mercedes- Benz 240D running on free (Sushi) Waste
Vegetable Oil!


Class Date:  Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
Start Time:  7:30 PM
Class Length:  1.5 Hours
Instructor:
Age Range:  16 and Up
Price:  $20
Lab Fee:  $0
Location:  0
Max Students:  60

This meeting is in Oakland, CA. Potluck food and drink.

Let's get together, share resources, learn from each other's experience and have
fun.

Bring your questions, pictures of your setup, or show and tell gizmos if you
have them.

Beginners wellcome. Experts too. Everyone in between.
Email Andrew: morris1524@... for directions.

Anton, the moderator of Burnveggies (northern California biodiesel/SVO
discussion forum), is hosting me for a one-day workshop on making
homebrew biodiesel at his farm in Winters, just north of Davis. Anton's
been making biodiesel for at least 7 years, and should have some
interesting real-world insights in addition to my usual information.

We'll have a barbeque dinner afterwards if everyone's into it. This
one-day class is a slightly condensed version of the two-day classes I
teach- we wont build processors and we probably won't do quite as much
'open lab' as in the normal classes- this class is geared to those who
can't make the time to attend a full weekend (there's a
two-day class in Berkeley at the end of June also, see my web page below).

*************************

Biodiesel Homebrewing/Equipment Building Class with Maria 'girl Mark'
Alovert of http://biodieselcommunity.org

Saturday, June 9th, 9-5
Winters, CA
$75
to register and for more information: see http://girlmark.com/tour

*************************

Biodiesel is a clean-burning diesel alternative made from any natural
oil or fat. It can be made easily in a backyard or garage environment.

In this class, you will learn how to make your own clean burning diesel
fuel alternative and how to test it for quality.

This is a comprehensive, hands-on workshop on making homebrew biodiesel
fuel out of waste restaurant fryer oil, which can usually be acquired
for 'free' from restaurants.

Most of the class focuses on the chemistry behind biodiesel homebrewing
and quality control, and we'll be doing a lot of 'lab' work making test
batches, and variations on different formulas.

The feel of the class is a bit like the mad scientist version of "high
school chem lab"- you'll be doing hands-on lab exercises in small
groups, which will teach you how to make and troubleshoot your home
batches- and we'll be learning the chemistry basics that underlie making
good quality fuel for your vehicle.

This is a fast-paced class, and I strongly recommend that you read this
website first: http://www.biodieselcommunity.org to get a background for
this subject.

The class will also cover some basic equipment design (although we wont
build any equipment during this class).

To register, please see the online registration at
http://www.girlmark.com/tour

My May biodiesel homebrewing class in Berkeley is now sold out, and due
to high demand, I've scheduled a repeat of it on June 30-July 1. That
date was originally supposed to be an advanced class, but I have decided
to postpone the advanced session and schedule a beginner session
instead. Please let me know if you're interested in an advanced class in
the future, I'll schedule it later but haven't decided on a date for the
new advanced class yet.

This class will give you all the information you need to start making
and testing your own biodiesel from waste restaurant fryer oil. It is
taught as a combination of lecture and 'lab', where you will make small
batches and test them for quality. There may be a custom 'lab' session
where students choose which experiment to pursue at the end of the
class, based on their interest in different topics (for instance some
can work on making a batch with ethanol instead of methanol, whereas
others might experiment with testing fuel they brought from home)

Among other things, this class covers:

-biodiesel/SVO/solvent thinning options and history
-biodiesel chemistry
-testing oil (titration and water testing)
-making test batches
-an overview of equipment
-hands-on reactor build for a few students 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 disposal
-water reuse
-common pitfalls
-hands-on experience recovering from failed batches and emulsion
-safety

...and more


registration:
The class is $120 for the weekend. See www.girlmark.com/tour to register
online.

Building a processor to take home:
Optionally, if you would like to build a biodiesel processor to take
home, you can buy a discounted kit from http://b100supply.com. This is
optional and your educational experience will not be affected if you do
not build your own (those who aren't building their own will help the
others).
To get the parts from b100supply.com, first register with me. You will
receive a 'coupon' from me to use at www.b100supply.com , which will
take $50 off the cost of either their processor kit  or 'complete' kit.
The coupon expires June 16 (so that Rick has time to pack and ship your
kit).
You will also need to get a new or used electric water heater to use for
the tank. Lowe's and OSH have them for about $210 (50 gallon) or almost
twice that for an 80 gallon.

Testing fuel you've already made:
If you've been experimenting with making biodiesel, please bring a
sample to the class and we'll test it for quality and discuss what
you've learned in the process. If you have some oil you've collected
which you'd like to test, please bring a sample.

For more information and to register, please see www.girlmark.com/tour

May 12-13, Berkeley:
  Beginner Biodiesel Homebrewing Class/processor building session with Maria
"Mark" Alovert:
2 days of instruction in making your own biodiesel, with about 2 hours of that
being equipment building for those who wish to build their own processor.
Processor parts available at a discount through b100supply.com for those
enrolled in the class. You do not have to build a processor to attend.

more info at www.girlmark.com/tour

*********************
June 3:
East Bay Homebrewer's Club Meeting Sunday, June 3

4:30-7pm

This meeting is in Oakland, CA. Potluck food and drink. Let's get
together, share resources, learn from each
other's experience and have fun.

Beginners welcome, experts too, everyone in between...
Email Andrew: morris1524@... for directions.

*********************

June 16,  Oakland, beginner class with Andrew Morris
amorris1524@...

(no further info provided but Andrew really knows his stuff!)



********************
Monthly Biodiesel 101 Q&A:

Berkeley Biodiesel Collective holds Biodiesel 101 sessions on the first monday
of every month at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA.  This is
a short question and answer session for those completely new to biodiesel about
the use of the fuel (not really about production).

The next Biodiesel 101 is on May 7th, and there's one on June 4

Contact: Please check with berkeleybiodiesel@... first, the updated info
isn't on the www.berkeleybiodiesel.org website as of this writing

*******************

Two different advanced classes coming up:

June 8-10, Hopland (at Solar Living Institute) with Jennifer Radtke:
Biodiesel 301: processor building and biodiesel fuel procurement/small business
fuel distribution issues:
more info: web page at
http://solarliving.org/store/product.asp?pid=1539&catid=55,57

June 30-July 1: Berkeley, with Maria 'Mark' Alovert: Advanced Homebrewing/Fuel
Quality Control class

more info at www.girlmark.com/tour


Please note:
The Hopland Biodiesel 301 and the advanced homebrewing/fuel quality class each
require a prerequisite. For the Hopland class you have to have taken Jennifer's
beginner class.

For the Berkeley advanced homebrewing class, you can attend if you have taken
another instructor's prior beginners' class, or if you prior experience in
homebrewing. The instructor might offer a weekday beginner class right before
the advanced homebrewing class.

**********************

July 13-15:
Biodiesel Co-ops Conference, Golden, Colorado
More information: www.b100.org

**********************

August: Biofuels Controversies panel discussion, Berkeley Biodiesel Collective-
probably at the Ecology
Center- please see www.berkeleybiodiesel.org for more details closer to the date
or stay tuned here at the events list.

Beginner and Advanced Hands-on Biodiesel Production Courses

Beginner Biodiesel Homebrew Class
May 12-13, 10-4, $120
(No experience necessary)

Advanced Biodiesel Homebrew Class
June 30-July 1, 9-5, $120
(Must have prior experience homebrewing, or have attended a previous
biodiesel homebrew class, or have made some test batches at home prior
to the class)

See www.girlmark.com/tour to register

These two classes are offered either separately or as a two-weekend
course. Information given will not overlap between the two weekends.

Beginner class covers:
-biodiesel/SVO/solvent thinning options and history, biodiesel
chemistry, testing oil (titration and water testing), making test
batches, an overview of equipment, hands-on reactor build for a few
students 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 disposal, reuse,
common pitfalls, hands-on experience recovering from failed batches and
emulsion, safety

Advanced class covers:
quality control in great detail, analysis of real-world problems with
offspec biodiesel, acid-base biodiesel process, advanced topics in
dewatering, testing for soap,methanol recovery and equipment design,
testing recovered methanol for purity, waterless washing with Amberlite
and Magnesol, larger-scale equipment design (for co-ops or small farms),
treating wash water and glycerine for disposal, testing wash water and
glycerine, real-world test results related to biodegradability, in-depth
disposal/sidestreams discussion, burning glycerine safely for energy,
hydronic applications for biodiesel and wash water heating, more
advanced discussion of safety and disaster prevention scenarios 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, and discussion of the scientific process, how to set up
experiments properly, and common pitfalls in experiments

To register:
www.girlmark.com/tour

This meeting is in Oakland, CA. Potluck food and drink.

Let's get together, share resources, learn from each other's experience and have
fun.

Andrew will review some of the great info from the Advanced Class Girl Mark held
in
Berkeley, for those who could not attend. G Mark may attend in
person as well.

Bring your questions, pictures of your setup, or show and tell gizmos if you
have them.

Beginners wellcome. Experts too. Everyone in between.
Email Andrew: morris1524@... for directions.

*direct questions to s**ales[at]agrenergy.com*
====================
*What: Biodiesel Workshop & Production Demonstration
Where: Chico, CA at AGR Headquarters
When: March 10th, 1-3pm
Cost: $20*

*Here's a google map to it:*
http://maps.google.com/?q=2290%20Ivy%20St%2C%20Chico%2C%20CA%2095928
<http://maps.google.com/?q=2290%20Ivy%20St%2C%20Chico%2C%20CA%2095928>

*Topics To Be Covered:*
-Producing biodiesel using the Acid/Base method
-Performing a 3/27 methanol test
-Brewing Biodiesel using the 80/20 method
-Oil collection tips & tricks
-Basic Production Techniques
-Measuring your return on investment
-Calculating your cost to produce Biodiesel
-Producing Biodiesel in a BioPro 190

They'll be doing a full demo of producing biodiesel using the Acid/Base
method (The RIGHT way--not the Foolproof way). You'll also see how to
make Biodiesel using the 80/20 method and then see first hand how to
test it using the 3/27 methanol test.

You'll have the opportunity to see how easy it is to make Biodiesel in a
BioPro 190 and also see the new BioPro 380 up close.

They'll also have some light refreshments too.

The space is limited so if you're interested, sign up early.

*What the $20.00 will get you*
-Information on properly producing biodiesel using the 80/20 method as
well as how to use the acid/base method and combining the two for
optimum results.
-A full tutorial on performing a 3/27 methanol test
-A handout to calculate the cost to produce your Biodiesel and a return
on investment handout
-A demonstration of the burning properties of Biodiesel
-Light refreshments and the opportunity to pick the minds of some of the
best guy's in the industry.

These guy's aren't your average home brewers either.
Their understanding of chemistry and engineering (thermodynamics,
esterification, transesterification and cool stuff like that) are
incredible. Their chemist is an academically trained chemist and their
head engineer holds a degree in mechanical engineering.
*
Demo Specials*
These guy's sell the BioPro processors
http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/biopro190.php
<http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/biopro190.php>
and they're also starting to sell chemicals and other consumables.
They'll have special "demo only" discounts on BioPro's and will also
have prepackaged KOH, NaOH, and Sulfuric Acid available for purchase too.

If you've ever wanted to see how to truly do Acid/Base Biodiesel
production or 80/20 Biodiesel production or just see an actual BioPro in
action, this is a great opportunity.

I spent 3 day's there last week and came away amazed at the knowledge
these guy's have.

*How to Sign Up!*
*To sign up, just RSVP at sales[at]agrenergy.com*
Payment can be made at the door.

Chico is a short drive from Oakland or Sacramento and if you need to
stay overnight, there are plenty of accommodations available (I flew
into Sacramento and then stayed in a Motel 6 in Chico last week for
really cheap!)

Feel free to send me any questions as I'm helping them get it set up
since I've done so many in the past.

-Graydon

Graydon from Utah Biodiesel asked me to post this.

He wanted to invite everyone to a Demo of the BioPro machines in Chico, CA.

Saturday, March 10, 1-3pm.

Here's the link to it w/ all the information on the demo:

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/419605551/m/4061014981

East Bay Homebrewer's Club Meeting Sat. March 10 4:30-7

This meeting is in Oakland, CA. Potluck food and drink.

Let's get together, share resources, learn from each other's experience and have
fun.

Andrew will review some of the great info from the Advanced Class Girl Mark held
last
weekend in Berkeley, for those who could not attend.  G Mark may attend in
person as well.

Bring your questions, pictures of your setup, or show and tell gizmos if you
have them.

Beginners wellcome. Experts too. Everyone in between.
Email Andrew: morris1524@... for directions.

This is a reminder about the biodiesel production  classes I"m doing in
the next 10 days in Berkeley, CA- the beginner class this weekend still
has some spaces, though the advanced class next weekend is nearly full.
To register for either class, see www.girlmark.com/tour - I'll post a
note if we fill up.

Hands-on Biodiesel Production Course

Beginner Biodiesel Homebrew Class
Feb 17-18, 10-4, $120
No experience necessary

Advanced Biodiesel Homebrew Class
Feb 24-25, 9-5, $120
Must have prior experience homebrewing, or have attended a previous
biodiesel homebrew class, or have made some test batches at home prior
to the class

See www.girlmark.com/tour to register

These two classes are offered either separately or as a two-weekend
course. Information given will not overlap between the two weekends.

Beginner class covers:
-biodiesel/SVO/solvent thinning options and history, biodiesel
chemistry, testing oil (titration and water testing), making test
batches, an overview of equipment, hands-on reactor build for a few
students 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 disposal, reuse,
common pitfalls, hands-on experience recovering from failed batches and
emulsion, safety

Advanced class covers:
quality control in great detail, analysis of real-world problems with
offspec biodiesel, acid-base biodiesel process, advanced topics in
dewatering, testing for soap,methanol recovery and equipment design,
testing recovered methanol for purity, waterless washing with Amberlite
and Magnesol, larger-scale equipment design (for co-ops or small farms),
treating wash water and glycerine for disposal, testing wash water and
glycerine, real-world test results related to biodegradability, in-depth
disposal/sidestreams discussion, burning glycerine safely for energy,
hydronic applications for biodiesel and wash water heating, more
advanced discussion of safety and disaster prevention scenarios 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, and discussion of the scientific process, how to set up
experiments properly, and common pitfalls in experiments

To register:
www.girlmark.com/tour

Biodiesel Beginners and Advanced classes in Berkeley, CA:
www.girlmark.com/tour

I'm teaching biodiesel homebrewing during two weekends in Febuary. You
can take either one or both weekends' classes. The advanced class
requires prior experience or requires attending a weekend beginner class
and getting some practice beforehand.
Each class is $120 for the weekend (ie $240 for both weekends). Register
at www.girlmark.com/tour

**********************
Feb 17-18:  two-day class for beginners, no previous experience
necessary. This is similar to the classes I normally teach every couple
of months here.
10-4 both days, Berkeley (Dwight Way near Sacramento Ave)
To find out about the next one of these beginner classes, please see
www.girlmark.com or sign up for emails from the Northern California
biodiesel events announcements list:
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/norcal-biodiesel-events

The beginners' class includes hands-on biodiesel chemistry, and an
opportunity to build an Appleseed biodiesel processor if you want to buy
a B100supply.com kit of parts for one. The class will include an
introduction to equipment design, quality testing, quality control, the
scientific process, common pitfalls, recovery from emulsions, the
factors that influence 'conversion', drawbacks and advantages of
biodiesel, and discussions of biodiesel versus solvent thinning or SVO
technologies. You will make some common 'engineered failures' (as well
as some quality biodiesel) and learn what the failures mean. Basic
safety practices are stressed. Class is a combination of lecture and
hands-in lab, with a hands-on equipment build at the very end.

***********************
Feb 24-25:  Advanced Class- New!
Two-day advanced class covering in great detail many new things that I
(and others) don't normally teach, both hands-on practice and in lecture
and discussion. I will NOT  be offering this class very frequently as
there is limited interest in advanced topics. I am only offering this
class in Berkeley in Febuary, in Saginaw, MI in June and in
Chambersburg, PA in May or June (dates to be announced at
http://girlmark.com/tour)

************************
Advanced class details:

  For the advanced class, I'd like you to have some experience (see end
of post for prerequisites). If you are new to biodiesel you can
certainly use the beginner class the prior weekend as a prerequisite.
The advanced class is longer than the regular class- 9-5 instead of
10-4. (Berkeley, near Ashby and San Pablo Ave with possible field trip
nearby)

The advanced class includes:
quality control in much more detail than 'regular' beginners' class
more time spent on hands-on quality testing including some tests not
practiced in beginner classes
analysis of real-world problems with offspec biodiesel
acid-base biodiesel process, for making biodiesel out of high-FFA oil
advanced topics in dewatering
testing for soap and what it is useful for
methanol recovery and equipment design
testing recovered methanol for purity
waterless washing with Amberlite and Magnesol
slightly larger-scale equipment design (for co-ops or small farms, etc)
Treating wash water and glycerine for disposal
testing wash water and glycerine, real-world test results related to
biodegradability
in-depth disposal/sidestreams discussion
burning glycerine safely for energy, emissions and safety discussion
hydronic solar/burner applications for producing heat for the biodiesel
process
More advanced discussion of safety and disaster preparation and
prevention scenarios for larger-scale processor systems, discussion of
regulatory topics for non-commercial producers larger than homebrew.
Solar applications for reducing energy inputs in production
very through discussion/demonstration of several different options in
washing, including drawbacks and advantages of them
other topics possibly to be announced

********************

No prerequisites for Beginners class Feb 17-18- no experience necessary,
come on down

********************
Prerequisites for advanced class:
Advanced Class Feb 24-25:  Prior experience required. I'm taking the
unusual step of asking that you guys put a LOT of time into prep for
this class if you are not already a homebrewer, and ask that you not
come if you can not take the time to prepare.  I want to make sure it's
a high-quality discussion for advanced students (some of whom are flying
in from out of town), and am restricting attendance by experience, for
this reason.

this class is restricted to:
either:
1)-folks who are already homebrewing (see caveat at end of post)

2)-folks with a LOT of experience with research AND making multiple
1-liter test batches (and it's OK if you've already done the reading and
will get the hands-on experience between now and the class time- I would
like you to make about 5-6 different liter batches, wash them, and test
them before the class-and for you to bring these in, so we can "grade
your homework"- so get started now)

3)-folks who don't homebrew but have taken a previous hands-on class
with one of the following instructors, or a class from somebody else who
teaches from the biodieselcommunity.org 'curriculum' and keeps up with
recent developments in homebrewing in the past year:
myself, Jennifer Radtke, Kalib Kersch, "BioLyle" Rudensey, John Bush,
Piedmont Biofuels folks, Matt Steiman
note: If you have only attended a class but not homebrewed, and it's
been a while, I would like you to brush up by making a test batch or two
and trying to wash it to completion so you can bring it to class Feb 24th.

4) students attending the Biofuel Oasis advanced course the previous
week (those people only,  may also attend just Day 1 of the beginners
class, since they can't come to Feb 18ths class)

Note: Please note that if you primarily work from information from
journeytoforever.org or From the Fryer To The Fuel Tank or from a manual
from Fuelmeister or another Fuelmeister-like plastic processor or  from
plans you bought on eBay, AND if you do not regularly read the quality
testing/quality control side of the Infopop/Yahoo Biodiesel/Yahoo
Biodieselbasics/Biodieselnow homebrewing forums, you will probably have
some inaccurate information to unlearn. Some of it, like
journeytoforever's quality control and testing information, is almost
entirely wrong. I invite you to attend so you can get the accurate info,
but I'd like you to do some extra reading first to catch you up.
B100supply.com (quality pages and 'best of the forums' section), and
biodieselcommunity.org are good places to start, and
biodiesel.infopop.cc has exceedingly good information these days in the
various forums.

If you need supplies for getting started practicing your skills, but
don't already have equipment, please see www.b100supply.com and
utahbiodieselsupply.com for scales, beakers, etc. You can purchase KOH
catalyst in small quantities by mail at www.braintan.com .

To sign up for the classes, please see www.girlmark.com

East Bay Biodiesel Homebrewer's Club - Meeting Sat. Jan. 13 4-6:30
This meeting is in Fremont, CA. Potluck food and drink.
Let's get together, share resources, learn from each other's experience and have
fun.
Beginners wellcome. Experts too. Everyone in between.
Email Andrew: morris1524@... for directions.

note: no RSVP needed, just show up:

Algae Bioenergy and local biofuels efforts presentation and lecture
Tuesday, January 9th, 6-9 pm
at Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia Street (at 21st), San Francisco
admission free, donations accepted



for more information: classregistration@...
transit directions and info: http://www.atasite.org/about/
(please don't call ATA, they wont' be able to answer questions about the
talk as we're just renting from them)

Speakers:
Karri Ving and/or Ben Jordan, San Francisco Biofuels Co-op
(http://sfbiofuels.org/)
will present about the SF co-op and City of San Francisco biodiesel
initiatives

Kari Lemons of Biodiesel Council of California
(http://biodieselcouncil.org/) will present about the BCC's statewide
efforts to support sustainable feedstock production in California

featured speaker: algae researcher Jon Meuser, Ph.D. Candidate -
Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado School of
Mines , presenting about algae as a bioenergy feedstock:

Jon's talk description:

Our society's inevitable transition to real-time solar energy will
require a symposium of technologies that capture solar energy and
transform it into useable forms, including biofuels.   Many biofuels
depend on residues of existing industries like agriculture or forestry
and are generally geographically dependent.  However, major
displacement of fossil fuels will require the development of
fuel-specific crops suitable to many regions.   Biodiesel is a
renewable, easily mobilized biofuel high in solar-derived energy
density that already represents about 1% of the U.S. diesel market.
Total displacement of the petrodiesel market by biodiesel will require
increases in oil availability not possible with traditional
agricultural crops or byproducts of existing industries.  It is
estimated that algae can produce 100x more oil per acre than soy.  As
current technical barriers are overcome, biodiesel from algae and
other non-traditional crops will likely alleviate the problem of
feedstock availability and global dependence on petrodiesel.

speaker bio:

A native of California's central valley, Jonathan Meuser is currently
a graduate student at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in Golden,
Colorado studying biological fuel production and identifying organisms
with ideal properties for fuel production.   His current research
focuses on the natural biodiversity of photosynthetic fuel production
by algae, including hydrogen and lipids.  When he can get out of the
lab, Jon also enjoys teaching the fine art of biodiesel homebrewing
with his mobile biodiesel processor and is a co-organizer of the
Biodiesel Coops Conference (http://www.b100.org) held in July at CSM .


For more information about biodiesel algae, see topics in the
biodieselnow forum: http://www.biodieselnow.com/forums/13/ShowForum.aspx

for more information about this event: classregistration@...
**** NO need to RSVP **

East Bay Biodiesel Homebrewer's Club - Meeting Sat. Jan. 13 4-6:30
This meeting is in Fremont, CA.  Potluck food and drink.
Let's get together, share resources, learn from each other's experience and have
fun.
Beginners wellcome. Experts too. Everyone in between.
Email Andrew: morris1524@... for directions.

We have a few more spaces in our class.  We're very
exciting about the possibility of more grassroots
biodiesel stations starting up.  Please apply by Jan.
10 by emailing answers to the following questions to
oasisintensive@...

1.Name and contact info
2.Where do you want to start a station?
3.Do you have a partner in starting the business? Who
are they?
4.Why do you think you would be a great/successful
Biodiesel station
founder/owner/operator?
5. How long have you been driving Biodiesel and what
do you drive?

More details about the class follow.  Hope to see you
there!
Jennifer & Melissa

BioFuel Oasis Biodiesel Intensive:
How to Start Your Own Biodiesel Station

Dates: February 18-23, 2007
Location: BioFuel Oasis, Berkeley, California
Cost:  $650 (includes tuition and breakfast & lunch)
Number of Students:  10-12
Instructors: Jennifer Radtke & Melissa Hardy

After much anticipation and numerous requests, the
BioFuel Oasis is offering this innovative intensive
course. We believe there should be more small
grassroots biodiesel stations in California and around
the country.  This course will give you the tools to
start a biodiesel filling station in your town or
city. Walk away with a vision, finished business plan
and everything you need to make this happen!
The class will cover:

* Fuel Procurement and Quality Testing
* Hands-on Equipment Building and Plumbing
* Taxes, Permits & Zoning
* Developing Your Market
* Additional Income Generators: Merchandise, Delivery,
Classes, Mechanics, Cafe, etc.
* Visioning & Funding Ideas
* Accounting & Small Business 101
* Decision-making, Burnout, Getting Along

We will use Jennifer's zine as a text book for the
class and give you hands-on experience at the BioFuel
Oasis.  (Available for sale at:
www.backyardbiodiesel.org
& at the BioFuel Oasis. )

We encourage 2-3 people interested in starting a
business from the same area to come to the class
together. Class will be 8 hours each day
(approximately 9am - 5pm) except for Wednesday, when
students will have the day-off from class but will
have homework to do.

Email oasisintensive@... to apply for this
course or if you have any questions.  The application
deadline is January 10.

The BioFuel Oasis is a women and worker-owned
cooperative in Berkeley, California that sells ASTM
quality biodiesel at a public pump.  We opened in
December 2003 and currently have over 1600 customers.

Jennifer Radtke is co-founder and co-owner of the
BioFuel Oasis and a member of the Berkeley Biodiesel
Collective.  She has been teaching classes on
homebrewing biodiesel and building the Appleseed
processor for the last 3 years.  Her zine on starting
your own biodiesel station will be out in December.

Melissa Hardy is a co-owner of the BioFuel Oasis and a
member of the City of San Francisco's Biodiesel Access
Task Force.  Melissa has been teaching about Biodiesel
and vegetable oil fuels since 2002 and teaching
environmental education around California since 1997.
She graduated in 1998 from UC Berkeley and has
extensive experience with community organizing and
small business bookkeeping.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

(this event is now confirmed, please cross-post to anyone interested)
***********************************************************

Biofuels From Algae presentation and lecture
Tuesday, January 9th, 6-9 pm
at Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia Street (at 21st), San Francisco
admission free, donations accepted

speaker: algae researcher Jon Meuser, Ph.D. Candidate - Division of
Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

for more information: classregistration@...
(please don't call ATA, they wont' be able to answer questions about the
talk as we're just renting from them)


Our society's inevitable transition to real-time solar energy will
require a symposium of technologies that capture solar energy and
transform it into useable forms, including biofuels.   Many biofuels
depend on residues of existing industries like agriculture or forestry
and are generally geographically dependent.  However, major
displacement of fossil fuels will require the development of
fuel-specific crops suitable to many regions.   Biodiesel is a
renewable, easily mobilized biofuel high in solar-derived energy
density that already represents about 1% of the U.S. diesel market.
Total displacement of the petrodiesel market by biodiesel will require
increases in oil availability not possible with traditional
agricultural crops or byproducts of existing industries.  It is
estimated that algae can produce 100x more oil per acre than soy.  As
current technical barriers are overcome, biodiesel from algae and
other non-traditional crops will likely alleviate the problem of
feedstock availability and global dependence on petrodiesel.

speaker bio:

A native of California's central valley, Jonathan Meuser is currently
a graduate student at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in Golden,
Colorado studying biological fuel production and identifying organisms
with ideal properties for fuel production.   His current research
focuses on the natural biodiversity of photosynthetic fuel production
by algae, including hydrogen and lipids.  When he can get out of the
lab, Jon also enjoys teaching the fine art of biodiesel homebrewing
with his mobile biodiesel processor and is a co-organizer of the
Biodiesel Coops Conference (http://www.b100.org) held in July at CSM .


For more information about biodiesel algae, see topics in the
biodieselnow forum: http://www.biodieselnow.com/forums/13/ShowForum.aspx

for more information about this event: classregistration@...
no need to RSVP

Hey folks,

My friend Jon Meuser, a graduate student at Colorado School of Mines and
a researcher at NREL, is coming into town for a conference of some sort
in a few days. His research at CSM is on hydrogen-producing algae (for
hydrogen fuel purposes), but he's also a big biodiesel advocate and
homebrewer, and he was one of the main organizers of the Biodiesel
Co-ops Conference that we had there last summer.  Jon is very up-to-date
on the latest advances in algae biodiesel research, a field that's
recently taken large leaps forward.

Jon has a slideshow presentation on algae research, including updates on
biodiesel algae research, that he's willing to do, if we want to host
him somewhere around the 9th or so of January.

Im going to try and set up a space for this presentation, but wanted to
put the word out right now that this is probably going to happen. Ill
post to these same lists as soon as we have a firm date and time. If
anyone has a 'hall' of some sort (classroom, conference room, etc) where
we can schedule an evening talk at the last minute, please let me know.

Mark