Hey you guys,
I am doing an awareness project at school about biodiesel and have had trouble finding someone in my area that was experienced in the subject. Anyway I am allowed a phone or interview through E-mail and this seems like a place with a lot of knowledge about the subject, the information will be presented to students at a college campus. If anyone is interested just send me an E-mail I only have about maybe 15 questions I will post them with this message. If you do not mind adding your name and contact information (phone or E-mail) I would appreciate it. So if someone would rather do a phone interview I am willing to do that as well, I know it can be tedious typing answers. Thanks a lot!

When did you first hear about biodiesel?

What made you want to start working with biodiesel?

How long have you been working with biodiesel?

What is biodiesel?

How is biodiesel made and how many different sources can it be made from?

Is biodiesel just as efficient as regular diesel fuel?

Can anyone make biodiesel or is it a difficult process?

What percentage of the population would you say are currently using biodiesel?

Do you believe biodiesel will become a widely used energy source?

What are the impacts of biodiesel compared to regular diesel on environmental hazards and emissions?

Is there any environmental concerns with biodiesel?

What impacts do you think biodiesel will have on our economy?

Will there be conflict or is there currently conflict with oil companies?

What impacts do you think biodiesel will have on people?

Do you believe this will promote other various sources of renewable energy?

Could biodiesel be sold at gas stations and pumped like regular fuel?

Is it possible that food prices will rise if this becomes widely used?

What are the expenses involved in manufacturing this and is it a lot cheaper than buying regular fuel?

In general, what do you believe the best thing about bodiless is?

How can more people learn and get involved in this process?

(If you want to add any other insights feel free)

Lots of great stories here that answer quite a few of your questions:
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/ev...5551/m/220102729/p/1

And here too...
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/ev...19605551/m/672108572

-Graydon

I'll start...

When did you first hear about biodiesel?
- 2002

What made you want to start working with biodiesel?
- I learned that it could be run in a diesel engine and it intrigued me
More on that here:
http://www.utahbiodieselsupply...-it-all-started.html

How long have you been working with biodiesel?
- Since 2003

What is biodiesel?
- Better answered by this article:
http://www.biodiesel.org/resou...nitions/default.shtm

How is biodiesel made and how many different sources can it be made from?
- Here's the basic jist of how it's made...


If it's an organic oil, it typically can be made into Biodiesel. So, to answer your question, there's literally thousands of things that it can be made from.
However, typically it's made from new or used vegetables oils such as canola, soybean, or palm oil (although there's several issues with making it from Palm oil; both political and functional issues). It can also be made from any sort of fat or tallow but the gel point (the temperature at which it gels) tends to be too high for most people to use it unless it's blended.

Is biodiesel just as efficient as regular diesel fuel?
- Depends on what your definition of "efficient" is.
However, from a pure energy standpoint, there's more energy in a gallon of diesel than there is in a Gallon of Biodiesel as measured by how many BTU's the fuel can produce.

Can anyone make biodiesel or is it a difficult process?
- Yes. Most anyone can make it. However, there's chemicals involved so you have to be careful about how you do it.
- For one of the easiest methods for making Biodiesel, check here:
http://biodieseltutorial.com/makingasmallbatch/

What percentage of the population would you say are currently using biodiesel?
- Very, very, very small. Define which "population" you mean though. The US?
If so, I bet it's maybe 0.001%...if that.

Do you believe biodiesel will become a widely used energy source?
- No. Not enough oil to go around. Unless Algae actually happens...

What are the impacts of biodiesel compared to regular diesel on environmental hazards and emissions?
- A heck of a lot less of some, and more of others.
- Less CO2, Hydrocarbons and particulate matter
- More NOx.

Is there any environmental concerns with biodiesel?
- Yes. Deforestation of rain forests in some countries just to grow palm tree plantations for the oil in them is a big concern in certain parts. Raising crops for Biodiesel and not for food is another issue that's come up. It's all under heavy debate.

What impacts do you think biodiesel will have on our economy?
- Not much. It really doesn't make up much of the GDP, however it's a buzzword in Congress and by the President of the United States that they can use to "make them look like they actually care about being green".

Will there be conflict or is there currently conflict with oil companies?
- Yes. There is. Has been. Probably always will be. It's viewed as competition by some, as nothing more than a nuisance by others. Some oil companies are actually looking at getting into Biodiesel. Others are trying things to create roadblocks (ie. legislation in Congress)

What impacts do you think biodiesel will have on people?
- Depends on which people we're talking about.
- Some it'll make millionaires. Others it'll make broke. Others it'll be the thing that allows them to survive. While some it'll just be a cool hobby.
- Which people were you after?

Do you believe this will promote other various sources of renewable energy?
- Yes.

Could biodiesel be sold at gas stations and pumped like regular fuel?
- Yes. Already is being sold at several that way. Usually in a 20% Blend
See link below:
http://www.biodiesel.org/buyin.../retailfuelingsites/

Is it possible that food prices will rise if this becomes widely used?
- I'll leave that one to the economists & farmers to debate.

What are the expenses involved in manufacturing this and is it a lot cheaper than buying regular fuel?
- If you make it yourself and you get the oil for free, you can usually make it for about $0.75/gal to $1.50/gal. This doesn't include paying yourself for the time making it
- Here's a good example:
http://www.utahbiodieselsupply...onCosts-20080207.gif
- Most commercial plants making it for the purpose of reselling it are typically running anywhere from $3 to $5/gal to make it
- They rely on Government subsidies in the form of tax incentives to turn a profit when they go to sell it.

In general, what do you believe the best thing about bodiless is?
- That you can make it yourself.

How can more people learn and get involved in this process?
- Visit this forum.
- Visit this website: http://www.biodieseltutorial.com
- Or this one: http://www.make-biodiesel.com
- Stay away from this one. http://www.journeytoforever.com
- I also have a great resource on my site under Biodiesel Basics on the left
Here's the link: http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com
- Lots of videos & articles.
- Find someone that's making it & learn from them.

Good luck!

Well it's not so much that i do not know the answer to these questions, I need someone else's point of view and knowledge instead of my own, which I have to write a paper on the topic as well. I have already done a good deal of reading on the subject now i just need to find someone else who has knowledge about the topic that would be willing to do an interview. I have called many places and not many people are interested in doing the interview.

Check your Private Messages.

quote:

Originally posted by NJF1212:
In general, what do you believe the best thing about bodiless is?

Graydon did a helluva job answering the questions, so I'll just say, THAT'S THE COOLEST TYPO EVER!

quote:

Originally posted by kumar:

quote:

Originally posted by NJF1212:
In general, what do you believe the best thing about bodiless is?

Graydon did a helluva job answering the questions, so I'll just say, THAT'S THE COOLEST TYPO EVER!

ROTFLMAO!!!! Oh man! That was hilarious!!!

quote:

When did you first hear about biodiesel?
found on the web..while looking to other diesel fuels

What made you want to start working with biodiesel?
COST. at the time diesel was 1.60 a gallon.

How long have you been working with biodiesel?
since 2004

What is biodiesel?
methyl esters or ethyl esters

How is biodiesel made and how many different sources can it be made from?
any trigylceride..animal or plant..the gell point changes depending on the source

Is biodiesel just as efficient as regular diesel fuel?
NO..its about 10% less..but burns cleaner in many aspects.

Can anyone make biodiesel or is it a difficult process?
can they bake a cake? then they can make biodiesel..atleast with good oil..BAD oil is a little harder

What percentage of the population would you say are currently using biodiesel?
don't know

Do you believe biodiesel will become a widely used energy source?
yep..

What are the impacts of biodiesel compared to regular diesel on environmental hazards and emissions?
biodiesel is renewable..dino diesel isn't..can we figure out how to grow enough oil crops to replace dino diesel? dino diesel release CO.CO2 into the air while biodiesel is C neutral. dino diesel is hazzard if spilled..biodiesel just makes a mess.no hazard.

Is there any environmental concerns with biodiesel?
can we grow enough crops to replace dino diesel without issues??

What impacts do you think biodiesel will have on our economy?
far less than the ethanol!!..biodiesel can be made from used VO...no need to import oil??

Will there be conflict or is there currently conflict with oil companies?
YES..and YES.

What impacts do you think biodiesel will have on people?
good when they know about it..

Do you believe this will promote other various sources of renewable energy?
No comment

Could biodiesel be sold at gas stations and pumped like regular fuel?
YES. there are several place near me that sell biodiesel.

Is it possible that food prices will rise if this becomes widely used?
Not if WVO and other nonfood sources are used..otherwise..yes..look at ethanol and corn.

What are the expenses involved in manufacturing this and is it a lot cheaper than buying regular fuel?
oil, methanol, a caustic, time, and electricty...YES ITS cheaper

In general, what do you believe the best thing about bodiless is?
N/C

-dkenny

My first thought on reading the initial post was "Put them through to Graydon" But as usual, he's way ahead of tit. Good job Graydon, Keeping the BD PR up to good standards.

Ya know, I was gonna fix it, but I figure what the hell, let it ride!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dane M. Stewart,

quote:

Originally posted by Dane M. Stewart:
...But as usual, he's way ahead of tit.

Good grief, this thread is the gift that keeps on giving!

tit's a great way to finish it off eh ?

I talked to Graydon over the phone and he was a lot of help. He has a lot of knowledge on the subject. Again, thanks a lot i appreciate the time and thanks to others that answered, all the information will help me in my awareness presentation.
-Nick Fearnow

Hopefully the project goes well.
Best of luck to you on it!
-Graydon