Intro to Chapin Biodiesel

Welcome! This is blogging for dummies, and I'm very qualified. This site will be to inform the group of what we're doing, and give us a chance to compare notes on how things are progressing.
Here's What's Up:
1.Members:
Tom Anderson
Jon Cooper (7499958
Tray Harrell (trey@lkharrelllaw.com; 8033459449)
Dean Jacobs (thejacobs@gmail.com, 8032407003)
Roger Parsons (kblhomes@yahoo.com)


2. Why Biodiesel?
a) It saves money: my current estimates of cost (just in chemicals, not for machine or time) is about $1.55 a gallon. It'll vary as price of methanol fluctuates. Other reagents are more price stable.
b) It's patriotic. Whatever your politics, our finest young men and women won't stop dying over there until our country unplugs itself from the teat of Middle Eastern oil.
c) It's good for you trucks. Biodiesel is better for your engines than low sulfur diesel.
d) It's green. Much less emissions with biodiesel. Also, biodiesel puts out much more energy per unit of production energy than petrodiesel.
3. What's involved:
a) Production equipment. I've bought the biopro 190 (see at utahbiodieselsupply.com/biopro190.php) and will buy the drums and other paraphernalia (I'd buy it whether you joined me or not, so I don't want to burden anyone else with its cost)
b) Consumable chemicals. I'll prorate the expenses of these per your estimated use (me 40 gal/wk, Trae 25; Tom 25, Jon 15-25, Roger 10).
c) Oil. I'll have you help identify vegetable oil source restaurants (canoloa oil only... I'll explain later), but I'll pick it up (I'm buying a lift tail gate).
d) Processing labor. I'll do it at my home. I'll welcome help as I get more comfortable with the process..
e) Quality control. My job. I have a chemistry background, and I take safety and the protection of your trucks' engines very seriously. Our product will be top of the line, and perform better than petroleum -based diesel. I will be doing more steps and tests than are required for basic biodiesel production to assure top of the line product. You can have any batch independently tested, anywhere, anytime.
4. When We'll Start
Jan 15th The processor arrives.
Feb 15th I'll start production for my truck.
March 1st Target Date for you trucks' first production
Warm weather is easier to start production (you don't have to worry about fuel's gel point), so we'll get a whole warm season in before we deal with it next winter. Cold weather production is possible, it just takes more advanced precautions.