Hi,
I could possibly be of help to your local farmers if they are interested in having me help design and build them a large scale Biodiesel batch processing system. .I work in the hydronic heating trades and am very familiar with heat exchangers, pumps, agitators for mixing, immersion type heating elements and other related electrical componets. I also have built and have in operation a small Biodiesel processing system that will be capable of producing 600 gallons per day as soon as I finish two more wash tanks. I have been producing Biodiesel fuel now for aprox. two years and have been using it in my own equipment as well. If you are serious about setting up a large Biodiesel batch processing system ,give me a call or e/mail me. Thank You,
Duff Streeter www.michiganbiofuel.com phone# 989-473-3330
Is this thread still alive?
I live in Ypsi and commute to Lansing.
I'm very much interested in a BioDiesel coop.
I live in Miflord and am also very interested in BioDeisel...
I am a Mechanical Engineer with manufacturing and instrumentation experience.
I have a 1/2 ton pickup truck we can use to collect WVO.
I am going to purchase a TDI wagon in the spring
Is this thread still alive... otherwise I will do this on my own..
I can be reached at 248-219-5821
Thanks
Greg
If anyone is listening...
I just talked to Duff Sweeney who seams to have expert level knowledge of Bio-Diesel process equipment, processing & use. He has been at it for several years and runs his product in his own equipment.
I have a couple of points to make:
1) Processing QUALITY bio-diesel takes a significant level of dedicaton and knowledge.
2) I dont think that anyone wants to ruin the engine in their Diesel vehicle cause they went some low tech low cost route
3) A co-op is the best way of spreading out cost and labor, but a coop implies larger batchs to keep all the members tanks full. I figure a 10 member co-op should be capable of producting about 70-80 gallons per week.
4) 70-80 gallons per week would mean having a system with a max capacity of about 100 gallons per week. (Cause it won't be manned 52 weeks a year).
5) A system with this capacity will have to be highly durable and reliable. We don't want to be constantly fighting breakdowns and high maintenance. Duff appears to have developed this type of system
6) Duff says that a 100 gallon/batch system is about $10,000. If you split this up amongst 10 people it's not such a bad investment.
7) Simply purhasing a processing system from Duff will save us TONS and TONS of wasted time and $$$$$. Plus we have access to his wealth of experience and knowledge.
I would rather spend the money up-front rather than
1) Destroy a VERY expensive engine
2) Spend countless hours (that I do not have) experimenting and building and re-building and dealing with process issues.
A rough outline for a Co-Op may look something like this:
1) All co-op members contribute a equal portion of $$ to buy one of Duff's units
2) Co-Op members will be given Bio-D "credits" based on
A) Amount of WVO gathered (like 1 gallon for every 2 collected)
B) Amount of hours contributed to the running of processing plant. (like 2 gallons for every hour worked)
3) Co-Op members will be responsible for their own methods, containers and transportation costs for collection of WVO.
Is anyone listening? Any thoughts? Anyone interested in a road trip to Duff's place to check his setup out?
Regards,
Greg Juviler
gjuviler@comcast.net
248-219-5821
Hi Greg,
I just got my account straightened out with the site administrator!! I am sorry for being off the site for so long,,as I am not very computer savvy anyway.. If anyone is still interested in having me build you a custom biodiesel fuel processor let me know and I will see what I can do for you.. The systems I prefer to build are stainless steel construction which allows you two very important points to consider, first the system will last indefinately and second stainless will take more heat and more abuse so you won"t have to worry about the fact that plastic tanks can fail. That could cause a dangerous situation and is not something I think we need to go into any further.
Also if anyone is in Michigan, and you are looking for a price on methanol,,,which was up to $4.75 per gallon here about a month ago.,, Now the best price I have found is $3.35 a gallon if I pick it up..At that is if you buy it in the 55 gallon drums like I do. You can still make biodiesel fuel and save yourself some money over what you would pay for it at the pump.even at $3.35 per gallon for methanol right now. I hope to try to answer some of your question now that I am back on the site and hopefully some more folks will come forward and get into the world of making their own fuel too.. Thanks,,Duff Streeter www.michiganbiofuel.com
Phone# 989-473-3330
Duff,
I just talked to a guy (Steve Coventry) that runs a fleet of semi's on WVO. He filters it down to 3 micron then puts it in the tank. During the summer he runs WVO 100% during the winter he cuts it 50% with dino diesel. He lives kindof close to me and has several commercial buildings. He is very interested in setting up a real processor. The main problem for him is getting enough WVO.
I am starting to meet more people and get more people interested.
I will keep you informed as things go along.
My goal for February is to get at least 20 people interested and get their contact info. From those I hope to get at least 10 to put their $$$ where their mouth is.
See ya
Greg,
Thanks for your reply.That sounds good about the people out there that are interested in getting your co-op,up and running.I hope it all comes together for you so we can sit down and design a processor that will meet your needs. I am currently working on designing two processors right now with more coming down the road,I hope. Keep me in the loop and hopefully everything will fall into place for you. Thanks, Duff Streeter www.michiganbiofuel.com
Sort of late to get in on a Feb meet, but thought I'd chime in....
Got my '93 Dodge 5 yrs ago with the intention of running biodiesel, that's why I picked up one of the older models. I checked and found they LOVE bio---
Now I'm retired I have time to invest in production - from collecting raw oil to producing the final product. Being situated in the central part of the state - Lansing - I could help both sides of the state.
I don't use near the fuel I did when I was working, but I still hate $4.25 dino-diesel. Esp since I've retired and can't afford $100.00 fillups at the 1/2 tank level .
Let me hear from any of you that might like an extra hand.
Larry
Just wondering how things are coming with your bio diesel co,op?? Are you ready to start setting up a processing system anytime in the near future? We are building units like crazy right now,and if you are interested in a small unit with a capacity of up to 140 gallons per run then check out the new system on my web/site. Go to,,,www.michiganbiofuel.com,,,,,then click on the photo gallery to see the system there. Thanks, and keep me posted on your progress too.. Thanks, Duff Streeter www.michiganbiofuel.com
Looking for Methanol or Lye... Please try our Website... www.FennerChemical.com We sell KOH / NaOH and Methanol
We are located in Brown City Michigan just east of Flint off of I-69
My name is Dirk Fenner and I am the Chief Chemist at Fenner Chemical..
Please feel free to call me 989.322.0616 or go to the web site / my e-mail is Dirk@FennerChemical.com
I will offer any advice or info concerning Bio-Diesel
Dirk Fenner
As for the CO-OP I have a warehouse, I have the Chemicals, I have a Degree in Chemistry, I am more than willing to help.. If everyone wants to, lets just set up at my warehouse...
As far as a processor, I have worked with Duff Streeter in the past.. he makes some incredible equipment.... Or if the group wants to go cheap building a processor out of Cone bottom Drums, 55 gallon Drumms and an old water heater is also possible.. that would ultimately be a decision of the Board of Directors of this CO-OP
But also becouse I am a Law School Grad...if a CO-OP is formed we need to elect officers.. elect a board of Directors.. and have sceduled meetings.. and get this off the ground...
I hope this message reaches as many parties as possible who are interested in a bio diesel co-op in (SE) Michigan. It seems that the two most important issues (besides getting the members) are expertise and location. I suggest we set on a place and time for an initial meeting. We may eventually end up with a number of sub-chapters to leverage off expertise AND setup processing locations that are conveniently located for oil collection and fuel distribution.
I live in Ypsilanti and commute to Lansing. Anywhere between the two locations would work for me.
Anyone interested?
Hi Everyone,
I hope this co/op thing gets off the ground here in Michigan for you guys that are interested in bio diesel fuel production.
I have been in contact with Dirk Fenner, of Fenner Chemical Co. and this man really knows his chemistry . He can help you guys that are just getting started and also the guys that have been already making fuel that may run into a snag along the way,as there are a lot of variables to this game of making bio,diesel fuel..Dirk would be an excellent person to have on board ,in a co,op situation..
Duff Streeter .....www.michiganbiofuel.com
I commute from Farmington Hills to Toledo every day. I have been burning B20 in my 2006 Jetta and prefer to continue that with higher quantities of biodiesel. Therefore, I am interested in being involved in a cooperative in the metro area. Sure beats buying B20 in Ann Arbor when its quicker straight down I275.
Also, my background is in chemistry and I have 20 years in renewable energy research in the area of energy generation, storage and efficiency. Ie,, solar, fuelcells, batteries, hydrogen storage. I have personally been using renewables to heat my home and power my car for a year now. I am willing to contribute my abilities to this effort.
I am about to head to Iraq for a year as a contractor. But when I come back I will most likely be opening a small bio-diesel unit. To sell Fuel to the public by ASTM standards. I will be setting up a small industrial unit.
Hey Everyone,
I've been lurking in the forum for a while now, even though i currently don't have a diesel vehicle, I'd love to get involved with a starting a co-op in SE. Michigan. I live in Ypsilanti and commute around the state for work. So Mr. Lidell, I'm pretty close to you, I'd love to help find a location and purchase fuels.. Feel free to respond to me here or at my email steventaylor181@gmail.com
I recently moved back to the area to be closer to my elderly parents from SC and I didn't have the chance to get in touch with the folks at Piedmont Biodiesel.
-Steven Taylor
Hello all,
So I stumbled across this thread and went hmm, that is exactly what I would like to get started for either BioDiesel or Ethanol in the southeastern part of Michigan. At present time I have assembled an Appleseed Processor and have just started processing my own fuel in the Howell area.
I have to be honest I have not read all the posts yet (kind of on a time crunch tonight) but what is the current state of the Co-op and does anyone meet regularly?
-Sean
You're on my way (from Ypsi to Lansing).
I'm trying to initiate as many actual contacts as possible.
I too, have time constrains that keep me from just browsing the web. Are you interested in meeting sometimes (in Howell). I've also trying to meet up with another fellow in Ypsilanti.
Let me know wha you think (neffm@comcast.net).
Marcel