Logo from: http://www.cubiodiesel.org/
BOULDER, Colo. — About a dozen people in a basement chemistry lab at the University of Colorado donned goggles and gloves on Sunday before turning used cooking oil into fuel.
The idea behind the free "Biodiesel 101 Workshop" was to show that anyone can make the alternative fuel -- though a chemistry background is a definite advantage.
"It seems complicated the first time you try it, but it's really not hard," said workshop teacher Josh Maynard, who's the research and development director at CU Biodiesel.
As with many people, this introduction to biodiesel covers the conversion of waste cooking oil into biodiesel, a conversion the wisdom of which no one can deny.
Photo from: http://cleanairgreentour.com/2009_Clean_Air_Green_Tour_May_22_024.JPG
A green biodiesel-powered recreational vehicle that aims to educate consumers about the benefits of protecting trees and being environmentally responsible is making a stop in Salem on July 13.
The RV, sponsored by Lowe's Home Improvement and Bayer Advanced garden products, will visit Lowe's at 1930 Turner Road SE from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is free.
People will receive multiple coupons, free samples of products like paper towels, and on-site answers to various home and garden questions.
For information, go to http://cleanairgreentour.com.
As you can see, some large companies are using this biodiesel-powered van to call attention to the need to think about greener fuels such as powers this huge RV.
Strasburg Rail Road's diesel locomotive will be hauling biofuel. (Blaine T. Shahan/Sunday News)
"This is our test case," said Thomas, who added that a mandate to gradually increase biodiesel fuel blends in Pennsylvania will likely stimulate the market. He said he anticipates future shipments over the Strasburg spur, particularly in the warmer months when the fuel does not have to be heated. One tank car equals about four tractor-trailer loads, Thomas explained. "This keeps a few trucks off the road." He added that the arrangement is convenient because the railroad is near the 904 Strasburg Pike headquarters of Rineer Transport Services, an Amerigreen fuel hauler.
Hauling biodiesel by rail, but not yet burning it in the engine, hopefully that will be coming soon. So how does biodiesel run in a railroad locomotive, anyone here know?
Alan Diaz / AP
Jatropha trees cost $6 to $7 each, can be grown 400 to an acre, and produce more than two gallons of oil apiece each season at maturity.
Still, it would take a farm about the size of Rhode Island to produce a billion gallons — and the U.S. economy uses more than 50 billion gallons of diesel annually.
My Dream Fuel said it is in negotiations to sell trees to growers in the Big Cypress National Preserve, and environmentalist efforts to reduce cargo ship emissions could open up Florida's maritime market through the Port of Miami. Wolfley even runs his truck on jatropha.
Very good article on Jatropha from a major source, a must read for the biodiesel set. Did you know that a single tree yields 2 gallons of oil every season? Wow, that is one oily plant.