BioDieselNow - Renewable biodiesel fuel

I haven't posted for a long time, just moved back to the area from VT.  Anyways, I have nearly completed building a modified appleseed processor that will enable me to make about 35-40 gallon batches of biodiesel.  I have about 200 gallons of WVO on hand and access to lots more.  Still need to get methanol but I have plenty of sodium hydroxide.  I converted my car (a 2001 Jetta TDI) to run on straight veg about 8 months ago and it works great.  Now I want to make biodiesel so that I can start/stop on biodiesel, using it primarily for short trips and use my SVO for longer trips.  With that said, I'm really interested in finding out if anyone in the DC area is interested in the idea of starting a DC biodiesel coop.  My operation is small but a seemingly good start.  I would welcome anyone that wants to troubleshoot with me as I get going.  Thanks!  Lindsay

Hi Lindsay,

 I just signed up.  Been trying to make my petrol burning civic last as long as I could but it's getting near time for a new car and I'm committed to biodiesel.  I'd be willing to participate in a co-op but also, I was wondering if anybody has any updated information about retail.  I thought with a new plant in Delaware ther'd be a way to get a pump in DC.   

Let's talk. 

 

 

JManfull:

Hi Lindsay,

 I just signed up.  Been trying to make my petrol burning civic last as long as I could but it's getting near time for a new car and I'm committed to biodiesel.  I'd be willing to participate in a co-op but also, I was wondering if anybody has any updated information about retail.  I thought with a new plant in Delaware ther'd be a way to get a pump in DC.   

Let's talk. 

Where are you located?  Interested in going to Manassas for B99?

Considering the only other option is B20 in Arlington, yeah.  With the limited options around here it seems like the best choice of biodiesel vehicle is a van, so you can haul extra fuel.

 

 

You're not configured to receive e-mails, so send me one. 

Hey snorth,

     Where is the B99 at in Manassas??? I have a friend heading up that way next week....

Well, it's through a co-op.  Your friend would need to contact me to setup a time to fill up.  He can e-mail me through this site.

-Sean 

Fellow Bio Deiselphiles let's get something up and going. Contact me through this site or at Seakatt1@aol.com (240) 506-0155 I'm Jamie I'd like to hear from you...

Lindsay,

I live in NW DC and own two TDIs. I was a member of the Bull City Biodiesel Coop in Durham, NC before moving to DC last year. I am very interested in starting a coop here. I think I can bring some other folk along as well. I put such an interest out on craigslist early this year and got no replies. What is a good next step?

Scooter

Hi DC

 Well, I finally did it.  After 5 full months of searching I am the proud owner of a Jetta TDi Wagon.  I'd love to get an update on who is doing what in DC (if anyone is) so I can get involved.

 And might I add that in one day without plates, or permit stickers, trying to deal with a work schedule and the DMV, I received four -- count 'em, four -- parking tickets.    Those bastards can't get a pothole filled to save their lives but man they are johnny on the spot when it comes to ticketing.

 

Congrats, man!  I have B99 out in Manassas if you're interested - just send me an e-mail.  Current price is $3.30/gal.  I suggest you get a few 5-gallon jugs to fill-up.  You'd want a funnel to go with them as they're unwieldy to pour directly into your car.

Welcome to DC!  It's a little-known fact but 89% of DC's revenue comes from parking tickets.

 

 

I would be interested.  A friend and I have a 30 gallon processor in Arlington.  Could probably spin up to 60 gallons.

You guys should also post to the DC Biodiesel Coop yahoogroup (I'm not sure if anything ever really happened with that co-op attempt- it was years ago- but there's still a list that occasionally sees traffic).

 

There's also the Takoma Park co-op, or maybe it's a past tense too. It was a small group of homebrewers who had been doing it for what seemed like a long time. I met them in 2004 so I'm not sure what their current status is or how to reach them.

It seems that there are a lot of people in about the same predicament as me:

Diesel car -- yes

Enthusiasm -- yes

Time -- some

Space -- No

Equipment -- No

I guess I'll start contacting all these disparate groups (Takoma, Yahoo, etc) and  individuals and see if I can't get a tally of names and a contact list together.   People in the DC area can contact me and give me their info.  

It's a start.  If it looks like there's enough people (especially some experienced brewers), and some leads on a usable space, we should start moving in that direction.  It's the nation's capital after all.  

As I write this I realize I still haven't configured my email but I'll do that now. 

James

 

 



 

Okay I'm a moron and at this hour I don't feel like figuring out how to link my email so people can reach me directly from here.

 I just created the email address: capitalbiofuels@earthlink.net  

 Why not?

So.. if you are the DC area interested in starting to get a co-op organized, please send me an email with your name and email address.

I think with about 10-15 people we could come up with something.  Maybe a field trip to Baltimore to see how those wise people have done it.

Hope to hear from you,

 James Manfull

Just to clarify, the Baltimore folks- are you talking about Charm21? They're doing distribution, not production (which of course is a great idea).

 

Maybe we could get those of you who are interested in production to meet at PogOil  when we have our homebrew class at the end of September (Pogoil makes big batches in simple equipment, I'll have a homebrew-sized setup on a trailer with me then too)?

 

We're having a campfire/barbeque on one of the nights (I think Saturday the 29th). It's in Brookeville MD. Frankie might be the one who started the Yahoogroup and had tried to do a couple of different types of co-ops in the area before, so you could probably discuss the experiences there with him.

 

 Last time I taught a homebrew class in DC, we did an after-class dinner meetup for anyone interested in biodiesel locally, and it was a lot of fun. I think the barbeque would be an even better setting for a meetup since there you wouldn't be stuck around a large table in a restaurant and could also see actual production if that's what interests you.

 

 

 

 

Yes I was referring to Charm21. But I was mistaken in thinking they were producers. 

Ultimately I would like to see B100 available within 30 minutes of the White House. Whether that is to be done by setting up a distribution location or by a co-op that produces homebrew for its members, or something else, I don't know yet.  But it's time.

The Homebrew class at the end of September sounds like something I'd be interested in doing.  I'll look into it. 

James 

Hi All,

I'm the outgoing secretary of the aforementioned Charm21 / Baltimore Biodiesel Co-op (we have, confusingly, two names). I know of at least two Washingtonians interested in working on a biodiesel co-op in your area. One is a member of our co-op, and the other one contacted me the other day (he's already scoping potential locations). I also have a ton of information on starting co-ops, finding producers, etc. In fact, an environmental consulting firm just called me the other day looking for a place to unload the WVO from the food court of one of the malls in the metro DC area. In addition, there 3 or 4 mass biodiesel production facilities in the works in the Baltimore area. Supply shouldn't be a problem.

Frankly, I think it's a splendid idea that someone start a co-op in DC. It's unfortunate that people have to drive all the way to Baltimore for biodiesel.

Our outfit has done pretty well. We're up to about 75 members, and we usually sell about 350 or 400 gallons per week. Once we actually get our automated pump installed, we expect to start suppling some local fleets.

 

Sincerely, Jeremy Caradonna

410-235-3080 (h), 443-921-7628 (c) 

awesome, thanks for the report!