I am revising the format of the Advanced Topics class I teach, and will make it much more hands-on than in the past. We're focusing strongly on acid-catalyzed esterification and other techniques for working with low quality high_FFA and high-water-content oil.

This class is geared towards students with prior experience but there is a 2-day basics class offered on the Thur-Friday before, for anyone without prior experience who also wants to take the Advanced Class.

There are several early-bird registration discounts available, one of the deadlines is at the end of this month, so sign up early.


Advanced Topics Biodiesel Production Hands-on Class:

March 14-15
Mifflinburg, PA
(with Preston Boop of Briar Patch Organic Farms)


Edmund, OK

(with Carl Shortt of Okiebiofuel.com)
March 28-29

Both classes are preceded by an optional 'basics' class the Thur-Friday before.


$95/$108/$140 depending on registration date- early registration discounts available!

For more information and to register, please see www.girlmark.com/tour


The advanced class is designed for those who already make biodiesel (full-scale or test batches) or have attended hands-on workshops by teachers such as Jennifer Radtke, John Bush, Steve Fugate, BioLyle Rudensey, Carl Shortt, Piedmont Biofuels, Matt Steiman, Frankie Lind, Kalib Kersch, or others who teach from the http://biodieselcommunity.org techniques (check with me if a class is your only hands-on experience).

I encourage experienced biodiesel producers to bring a presentation or photos of their system and discuss their experiences.

This class is geared to both homebrewers and fleet/farm/small commercial producers.

The class covers a wide range of topics, geared especially towards larger scale 'home' production. The class specifically offers heavy hands-on focus on making biodiesel with several major techniques that are useful in your "skillset":

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.


For more information and to register, please see www.girlmark.com/tour


Significant discount for early registration are available for those registering before Dec 31