i am currently brewing biodiesel in richmond. i have stumbled upon many others via the barrel lady (audrey) and friends, but hope that this post will help to draw others out of the woodwork and into the biodiesel spotlight.

every month or so i meet somebody new to bio-d, and i am hoping to find a group of people interested in starting a co-op. at the very least we can combine resources to have a quantity of fuel in town. my idea is to have somebody pick up a few barrels every so often, have a pump somewhere convenient and members of the co-op can have access to that pump.

a second or alternate step is to get the equipment together to brew larger quantities as a group, each getting a portion of the brew in exchange for labor.

any takers?

I'm down in Williamsburg, but after some thought, I suspect that the length of the drive would make it both economically and environmentally negative to try to be really active in a Richmond group, unless it's centered far to the east of town.

I'm in Richmond, VA...Glen Allen to be exact, but I'm currently running blends and will be running two tank in a TDI with in a couple of months. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on a co-op.

I'm in Midlothian and would also be interested in discussing a Co-Op.

I just picked up a 79' Mercedes 300TD Wagon and want to start running & brewing biodiesel. Anyone got a good source for WVO or an excessive amount that they want to get rid of?

Kidautonomy,
I'm currently getting my WVO supply from Arby's since they just switched to 100% Mazola veggi oil. It seems to be good stuff. I have all I need from one store. I would recommend talking to your local Arby's and letting them know. So far I've spoken with two of them and both were pouring the WVO back into the cubies and throwing them in the dumpster. They had no issues with me taking it off their hands. One word of caution, the Arby’s off Broad street in west end had oil that was very creamy and lots of water. The Arby's on the south side (Jefferson Davis Hwy) is dark amber with no water. Just be aware of this possibility and find one without water!

If anyone is still monitoring this thread, I am in West Point VA and new to BD. I have done test batches and am ready to try out my processor. West Point is halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg and would be a possibility for a central location to start a co-op. I am looking for a KOH supplier. My search for Richmond suppliers brought me to this thread.

I can be reached at dan DOT obrien AT metso DOT com or 8O4 5|4 4|32. I currently have a supply of meth and oil, just need KOH.

Anybody???

I would like to form a group that could meet once a month or so to produce BD. I am willing to travel to Richmond, Williamsburg or Hampton/Newport News.

Dan in West Point

I'm Looking for a group that uses these fuels near Richmond? I looking into buying a used car, and need some advice. Is there a group that meets nearby?

I don't know of a group yet but would like to consider starting one.

We have a commercial biodiesel plant in West Point. I have used their product and like the way the RV runs and smells with it (not to mention saving the planet and America). I have also burned test size batches in my home heating system and it seems to work well with some adjustment of the combustion air. We have also recently aquired a '92 Mercedes 300TD that my wife uses on her 100 miles/day commute to work in Richmond.

I was going to pick up my KOH supply yesterday but they were out of stock on it. It should be available next week. If the supplier works out OK, I will post their information on this site for others in the area to use. The test batches I've made so far were using NaOH-based caustic boilout product my friend uses in his auto machine shop.

My husband is interested in a co-op, as well. We are in Chesterfield County. His 04 Jetta TDI runs great on the B100 from the West Point plant, when we get over that way. Would like to find others close by.

Gillig-Dan, hubby is also wanting to convert a bus... would love to hear from you!

--Bonnie

Bonnie,

I can be emailed at danDOTobrienATmetsoDOTcom.

I've still have not made a full batch yet. My wife's '92 300D blew a head gasket. Can't blame BD, hasn't had any in it yet. Of course, I couldn't just stop there, I'm doing a full rebuild while it's apart.

Anyway, the bus runs great on BD. You'd be more than welcome to check it out.

Dan

Oh, and one more thing Bonnie, I have a 50lb bag of KOH waiting for me at a chemical supplier in Petersburg. With rebuilding the Mercedes, I have not been able to get down there and pick it up. If you were anywhere near there, we could start co-oping by splitting that bag. I don't know how far along your husband is but, I have built a processor, have a some waste oil and methanol and only lack KOH to get started.

Dan

I'm in Caroline county(above Kings Dominion) I plan to make B100. I travel to Northern Va. can pick up good quailty waste oil. Would welcome processing help.
Herb

I am up for a co-op in/around/near to Richmond. I live up in Mechanicsville, have started collecting oil, have a 55gal drum methanol, a pump, etc... Still kinda getting started.

Chris

ccie1913atyahoodotcom

Hello everybody..I'm down in Portsmouth. Would like to get in on a group meeting or such. Would like to get up to see some of the set-ups you people have...Would like to start building my own homebrew processor soon. I have an 84 MB that I'll be running the BD in. With fuel prices soon to go sky high due to the Alaska pipeline problem, we all need to work together on this....I'm about an hour from Richmond to the south, don't know of anybody down here in Portsmouth, Chesapeake or Virginia Beach yet that is making BD. Do know a couple people interested in it locally though....For direct contact- vaman4215@yahoo.com

Everytime I fillup my truck, Isay I need to get started on this BD. When I drive one of the VWs it doesn't hurt as much! I've been buying a piece at a time. I have several 55gal plastic barrels. But I want to use the water heater style and a 50gal if I could find one cheap. Though with a 40gal I think I could process 30gal BD.

I am new to the biodiesel and have just recently started doing the research. I would be interested in helping out in a co-op. I currently live northside if Richmond I plan on going live with a production system in the spring.

I don't check this part of the forum as often as should. It may work well to start a co-op in this area. I'd be willing to drive toward Richmond or Newport News.

Glad to see ya back on here Dan..Yeah, seems like as time goes by we find more and more from this area either already doing the BD thing or looking to get into it....I've made a few calls and gotten a few prices, but most places want to know volume of methanol and KOH we'd be using....Also if we had a central location, big enough for some of us to get together and maybe work together at making decent sized batches of BD, then split the lot, we'd all learn from the experience and get some good fuel at the same time....