Biodiesel — make your own
May 13, 2009 10:55 AM
The LSU AgCenter is hosting a two-day comprehensive workshop on how to make biodiesel fuel from used vegetable oil on June 2-3 at the Callegari Environmental Center, Baton Rouge, La.
“Like the workshop in April, this is an advanced workshop and different from the workshops we offered in 2008,” said Bill Carney, LSU AgCenter environmental educator and director of the Callegari Center.
The AgCenter offered several workshops in 2008 on how to make biodiesel.
The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m., with coffee breaks and a break for lunch, Carney said.
“It will be very hands-on, and we’ll make biodiesel during the workshop,” Carney said.
Each participant will take home a titration kit including laboratory equipment such as beakers, pipettes and syringes along with safety goggles, a mask and an apron.
“The participants will be trained on how to do the testing that turns the waste product into biodiesel,” Carney said. “We focus on safety and quality.”
In addition to learning the chemistry of making biodiesel, the class will see the different kinds of equipment required to go into the biodiesel-manufacturing business. The equipment will be on display.
“People can make biodiesel in their backyards for as little as a $1,000 investment,” Carney said. “Or, they can spend up to $10,000. The average is about $2,000 to $3,000. But they shouldn’t invest in any equipment if they don’t have a reliable source of the raw material.”
Participants will also learn how to troubleshoot if they run into problems making their own biodiesel, Carney said.
Cost for the workshop is $150, which includes all materials, lunch and coffee breaks both days. Participation is limited to 25 people.
To register, call Sondra Rodriguez at (225) 578-6998.
More information about the workshop is online at http://www.lsuagcenter.com/callegari, including directions to the Callegari Center, which is off Nicholson Drive, south of the LSU campus.
