I live in Joplin...I do intend (at some future date) to make my own biodiesel...I've been doing my homework (for the past 6 months) before starting production myself...there are a lot of options out there, it (biodiesel) is still in it's infancy (early childhood at best). There are some problems yet to be ironed out. Gelling/cloud point in lower temps. Also, the fungus/bacteria that seem to thrive on biodiesel (if left in tanks for a few days) clogging fuel filters with black gunk....not a problem if you burn enough to keep it fresh...also could probably be prevented by a fuel fungicide (readily available)...as far as gelling goes, I would imagine (though have no proof) that tradition anti-gel fuel treatments would alleviate this concern......so if you have to add fungicide and antigel additives, you just bumped up the price of your fuel.
Processing equipment is anything from homemade hotwater tanks to elaborate ultrasound systems....price is commensurate with the technology, however so is processing time.
I own a 2000 Freightliner (80,000 gvw) with a 525hp cummins N14, I've run some B11 (11%biodiese)l in it recently (for the first time) and really enjoyed the performance...the engine ran smooth as silk. I wasn't concerned about gelling (temp. was in 50* to 60* range) and also wasn't worried about fungus, because I would burn the 60 gallons I purchased up in one session ( I use approx 500 gals. fuel/week)
There are other important things to note about biodiesel, it is a solvent...so you probably will go through several clogged fuel filters (at first) until all the junk is cleaned out of your fuel sytem..this wasn't a concern to me, because I use a fuel additive?solvent with every fill up anyway. Biodiesel has less BTU's than traditional diesel, BUT it also provides a lot more lubrication...I perssonally noticed no difference in fuel economy... but the engine really was smoother than it's ever been.
Biodiesel can be made from a variety of materials, waste veg. oil, straight veg. oil (soybean, rapeseed...etc)...there is even the possibility of making it from algae, though large production has not commenced, yet (to my knowledge).
We (Missourians) are fortunate in one respect, the National Biodiesel Board is located in Jefferson City... http://www.biodiesel.org/ ...you can find locations to purchase biodiesel there, but none in the Joplin area.
EDIT........
VERY important...even if you make homemade biodiesel you still must pay the appropiate road/fuel taxes on it...approx $ .40 $ .50/gal
