Biodiesel Classroom on Wheels

Demonstration of Biodiesel Production

Ernst Cebert, Ph.D.

Alabama A&M University, Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, through the office of Commissioner of Agriculture Ron Sparks and its Alternative Energy Unit have reached an agreement to create an outreach program to expose, demonstrate and educate citizens of Alabama, proper procedures for producing high quality biodiesel on small scale basis.

The program designated as “Biodiesel Classroom on Wheels”, is a mobile system which can be taken to different locations around the state to provide hands-on demonstration and training in the process of producing biodiesel using locally available feedstock. The complete system is assembled on a 6’x16’ modified flatbed trailer for ease of transport to any location around the state of Alabama. The unit is part of the biofuel research project being conducted by Dr. Ernst Cebert in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, in School of Agriculture at Alabama A&M University. Opportunities for widespread exposure will be the various state fairs, cooperative extension meetings and other agricultural related events. The system will also be used as a tool to educate 4-H and FFA youths in the school systems around the state of Alabama. The system was built by BiodieselLogic^TM of Arab, Alabama (http://www.biodieselogic.com).

In terms of biodiesel, small scale production by individuals is widely popular, and can be accomplished successfully with proper training. The popularity of biodiesel production is due to the simplicity of the process, which requires few inputs and minimum capital investment. Feedstocks used by most individuals are used cooking oil collected from restaurants, soybean and canola oil along with only two other ingredients: alcohol (methanol), and a catalyst (sodium hydroxide).

Biodiesel processing equipment systems for small scale production can be purchased throughout the United States, including from local manufacturers in the state of Alabama. These small processing equipment systems, which are advertised to produce anywhere from 50 to 400 gallons per day, vary in price from less than a $1,000 for the low-quality ones, to greater than $90,000 for those of better quality. Many individuals design and built their own biodiesel processing system. Regardless of the equipment being used, the conversion process is the same and must be followed properly for successful production of biodiesel.

During the fall-2007 State-fair season, the Biodiesel Classroom on Wheels was unveiled at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Motor Pool facility in Montgomery, Alabama. After its initial display in several 2007 Alabama state-fairs, the Biodiesel Classroom on Wheels has been in great demand from schools, farmers and industries. Several industry groups have visited the unit at the Alabama A&M University, Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station, in Hazel Green, AL. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, other public and private institutions are using the unit as an educational tool. This project has provided the State of Alabama a unique biofuel/biodiesel educational tool to educate its citizens on the production of biodiesel from various feedstocks including oil from locally grown winter canola. This project has been beneficial to all parties including: farmers, entrepreneurs, K-12 school systems, community colleges, end-users, Alabama A&M University and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.