BioDieselNow - Renewable biodiesel fuel

I haven't heard anything from Chris at Houston Biodiesel about a proposed meetup (yet). I'm sure he's busy running two businesses. I work in the SW part of Houston (but live in Damon) and was wondering if anyone would be interested in meeting for a Houston Biodiesel meetup. Since no one has proposed a meeting date or time, I'd like to present an informal poll of dates and places to meet up. I think it would be easier to meet up on a weekend though I'm open to Friday night (after work). So, I propose that we meet on a Saturday or Friday at Red Robin on Richmond and the Beltway 8 (this is on the SW part of town. I'd like to get a head count of the people who would be interested and what time/date is good for them. Rick Un vwdiesel@gmail.com 2000 VW Golf TDI

As a person on the north east side I propose we meet at the intersection of hwy 90 and beltway 8 , but I might be biased . LOL . I would really like to see a meeting of all of the locals , and would try to attend wherever it is held . I do think though that it might be best to try to have the event at a location that is open to the large group that may show up . If we could find a central location it would be better for everyone wanting to attend , but I have no suggestions on this . I know alot of people are using parks , but it is getting to be the wrong time of year for parks around here . I am sure there are lots of places in the area that would be great , any ideas anyone ?

Here some of the items that I think would be interesting (at least to me) for discussion topics on the proposed meetup. 1. Discussion/information about the FATTA method (acid/base). 2. problems/solutions with emulsufication due to soaps. 3. Local resourses for KOH and Methanol. 4. Sharing of setup methods/tanks and systems. I guess technically speaking this could become the Houston Coop where we pool money/resources together to buy stuff in bulk or do interesing stuff. Any other thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

I am interested in participating. I live in SW Houston, and I am willing to trave to any part of the Houston metro area. Please let me know when a time and place has been decided upon. Thanks, DS

im new to this site, and the whole bioD. but im really interested in meeting and learning. im located in downtown area. email - macro27@mac.com

I am interested in attending the meeting. Friday nites or the weekend are good for me. Let me know when you decide on a date and place. Jo Ann

Perhaps we could contact Chris or Eloy at Houston Biodiesel again. They may be willing to help coordinate something. Not only are they putting their money/time where their mouth is in running their business, they are for "the cause" (whatever that means to you). Since they seems to also want to sell bd supplies, it could be helpful to help grow his business and make him the local "go to guy". Chris has told me he plans to offer classes in the somewhat near future, specifically, he is suppossed to have "girl mark", author of the BD book, have a two day class in the spring (I think). I hope this happens and I will make a diligent effort to attend (between my job as a Bellaire cop, working on the graveyard shift and my law practice in the SE part of town, where I also live, time is in short supply). I drive the 35 miles each way to fuel up at HBD in my 06 Jetta, but it is not that bad a drive. Heck, I have grown up in Houston, I am accustomed to driving dang near everywhere. I would prefer a meeting at a place with some sort of equipment (i.e. HBD) over some eating place. FWIW. All the best, Chris

I've send email to Chris and will see if he has the time to do a get-together at his site for our first meeting of the regional Houston Biodiesel Group. I was hoping to get something planned before the it gets too close to Christmas and the end of the year. That way some of you could spend your Christmas $$$ buying/building Biodiesel processors ;-) Otherwise, I would like to get an informal count of people who might be able to make an meetup on Dec 3rd (1st sat/weekend after thanksgiving weekend) or Dec 10th (sat). Please, email me at vwdiesel@gmail.com so that I can get a headcount, (also, I can set you up with a gmail account if you want since I have like some account referals left) and specify if the 3rd or 10th is better. Once, we get a date selected, I'll email everyone with some possible times then places (or people can suggest places). Unfortunately, we might not be able to meet at a location that will have a biodiesel processing setup (like at Houston Biodiesel or at someone's house) since they might not be convient or doable (at this time) location. So, in other words, the first meeting might be better at some common place with food (nothing like talking biodiesel over a hot meal and drinks). I look forward from hearing from everyone interested. Also, with all this cold weather, it's been very interesting trying to wash some really crappy (high FFA) oil, even after doing the FATTA (acid/base method). Soap,wash,soap,wash...chicken soup,wash, soup,wash, soup . ;-)

I'm in , for either day . A little more notice might be better for some people though . I still have no good ideas for a venue though . Might be able to find an icehouse or something like that large enough to host a large meeting . The problem with restraunts is they are not setup for groups like this and we will have people all over the place that can't participate . There are a few places that have reception halls that might work , but they are usually a bit pricey .

Yeah, a bit more notice would help but being so close to Christmas, I didn't want to get too close and interfer with last minute shoppers. I don't think we'll need that large of a place (initially) since I informally count around 6 people (including myself) that might attend.

Chris at Houston Biodiesel (by the Airport) has emailed me and said that a Saturday event at his place is cool. So, I'll try to contact each of the people who have expressed interested to get a quick vote on Dates. the two dates (and initial proposed times) are (sat) Dec 3rd (1pm) (sat) Dec 10th (1pm) If there are too many conflicts because it's too early (ie...people are working on Sat), then I can move the time up to say 6:30 but I was hoping to do this during the bright daytime. Please, try to get a response back to me by this coming MOnday or Tuesday concerning the preferred date. Please, email me at vwdiesel@gmail.com if you have not already with your vote (and also so that I have some contact information for you). Otherwise, I'll try to send you a private mesg via this forum. Ok, I personally will vote for Dec 3rd (first choice) then Dec 10th. Look forward to seeing you all there. I don't pretend to be a biodiesel expert but I'll try to have a mini-demo setup of a regular method (base) and the FATTA (acid/base) method that I use for high FFA. So please bring your own personal insights and experiences so that we can develop a Houston Grass-roots biodiesel movement. Also, Chris has a biodiesel processor setup there, as well as some cool cars (a couple VW's and others) that he owns/drives. I'd recommend you bring pictures of your local setup if you can. Rick Un

I vote on the 3rd, i will be out of town on the 8th as of right now and i wold really like to be a part of this coop. marco

I am fine with either day , but would prefer a later meet time . It would be nice to have some daylight , but for people who are working during the day it will be impossible to make a 1 pm meeting . Just let me know what is decided and I will try to be there . Shannon

After the initially tally, what about the following time/date/place. 5pm Sat (Dec 3rd) meeting at Houston Biodiesel by the Airport. I'll contact Chris (at Houston Biodiesel) tonight and find out by tomorrow if that's an ok time. rick

Confirmed. This Sat. 5pm. at Houston biodiesel. Chris may not be there this time but someone from will be there. Look forward to meeting everyone there. There is a processor tank and wash tank. We will have all the equipment and supplies to run a batch while we meet. And of course, tons of biodiesel if you want to buy some. vwdiesel@gmail.com

I hope the meeting is a success. I regret that I will be unable to attend. I am a cop (as well as a lawyer) in Bellaire and work the graveyard shift. That meeting time is in the middle of my night. I was hoping the meeting would be early so I could still attend, but I guess most folks sleep in on Saturday mornings <g>. My work schedule changes to the evening shift on January 15 and may allow me more flexability for future meetings. Thanks for y'all's efforts. Good luck All the best, Chris Barber (not HoustonBiodiesel Chris....the other Chris) SE Houston '06 Jetta TDI

Too bad. Hopefully, we'll see you next meetup. A slight reschedule. The meetup will start at 4pm. don't worry, if you can't make it until 5pm. Not a problem, a number of us will still be there. I was planning to be there at 4pm anyway to help setup and prepare.

 Hey folks,

I am just trying to find out what happened with the Houston biodiesel group meetings/coop? Anyone plugged into the Hou biodiesel scene, please drop a line as I am interested in becoming a part of it.  

 

Thanks.

monkeywrenching@gmail.com