I am teaching an Advanced Topics class in Concord, CA (SF Bay Area suburbs) on Sat-Sun April 18-19, with a one-day optional Introduction To Biodiesel Production class the day before on Friday, Apr 17th:

There is a more hands-on version of this happening in March in Mifflinburg, PA, at an organic farm with a few years' worth of farm-scale biodiesel experience. See website for details.

Advanced Topics requires prior experience or attendance at Introduction class or similar class taught by myself or Jennifer Radtke, Andrew Morris, or other instructors, please see website for more info.

Registration info is at www.girlmark.com/tour

there's an early-bird discount- $95 for the weekend class if registering before Feb 15, and $108 if registering before April 1.
Regular registration is $140 for the weekend Advanced class and $75 for the one-day Introduction class.


*********************
Topics covered in Advanced Topics class:


working with high-free-fatty-acid oil

working with high-water feedstocks

acidulating glycerine and wash water for easier disposal and cost savings

testing biodiesel, glycerine, and wash water for soap

producing biodiesel from oils recovered from glycerine

acid-catalyzed esterification options

methanol recovery from biodiesel (GL-1 process) and glycerine.

using glycerine as a solvent in various stages of the process

There will be an extensive hands-on section of the class devoted to techniques for making biodiesel using ethanol instead of methanol, and we will discuss small-scale fuel ethanol production.

We will also discuss water-free soap removal such as the use of the GL-1 process and ion exchange resins.

Introduction class: there is a hands-on, introductory class for those with no prior experience, on the Friday before the Advanced Class.

Registration info is posted at www.girlmark.com/tour