Biofuels

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This workshop provides students with wide-angle information and intensive experience in the biofuels field. Specific topics covered are: transportation, home heating and electrical generation, biodiesel use, ethanol, methane, and locating/growing fuel sources. The heart of this course is the adaptation of two to three conventional Diesel engines to run on vegetable oil. During this practicum students will learn fundamental principles that apply in an array of biofuel applications including: feedstock sourcing, thermal dynamics, energetics, wiring, alternative and conventional system integration, appropriate technological development and more. Evening and lunchtime discussions provide a forum for processing the large amount of information covered.

COURSE SCHEDULE
Friday, 6 PM
Introductions, goal setting and course layout
Overview slideshow and discussion: “Biofuels, the Diesel Engine, and Straight Vegetable Oil”

Sat, 7:30 AM
Orientation to site, safety notes, briefing and vehicles
Commence veggie-diesel adaptation in groups

Sat, 12:00 PM
Lunch over discussion

Sat, 1:00 PM
Regroup and continue vehicle modifications

Sat, 5:00 PM
Regroup, evening planning

Sun, 8:00 AM
Briefing, question/comments session
Continue vehicle conversions

Sun, 12:00 PM
Lunch, BIODIESEL Session

Sun, 1:00 PM
Finish vehicle adaptations

Sun, 5:00 PM
Regroup, question/answer/discussion session
Concluding discussion focusing on biofuels as part of an integrated sustainable design system

COURSE READER OVERVIEW (reader will be provided to all students prior to class)
Diesel Biofuels, by Ben Falk 1
Renewable Energy Overview, from U.S. D.O.E.
Energy Balances (Net), from Ethanol Inst.
DIESEL Rudolf Diesel, from Hydrogen Appliances Inc.
How Diesel Engines Work, by Marshall Brain
The Truth About Diesel Emissions, from TDIclub.com
Engine Diagram (VW A4, TDI)
STRAIGHT VEGETABLE OIL (SVO) Straight Vegetable Oil FAQ’s, from Neoteric Biofuels
System Option Schematics, from VegBurner.UK
BIODIESEL Biodiesel Fact Sheet, from biodiesel.org (NBB)
Biodiesel Life Cycle, from biodiesel.org (NBB)
MISCELLANEOUS The Moss Magnuson Act: Warranty Information