In August, Iowa State University completed its 10th workshop on biodiesel. Four of these workshops were offered during the week of August 18-22, 2003, to provide attendees with the option to select any two of the three workshops: Business Management for Biodiesel Producers; Biodiesel Analytical Methods; and Biodiesel Production Technology. The workshops have attracted attendees from 33 different states and 12 foreign countries, including Australia, Singapore, Latvia, Brazil, Korea, and the United Kingdom. Over 215 workshop registrations have been recorded, although frequently the same person has attended more than one workshop. Renderers have made a strong showing at the workshops as one of the major discussion topics is processing recycled greases.
With the focus of the workshops on developing and sustaining successful biodiesel businesses, attendees not only learn about the latest techniques for producing biodiesel, but also the legal and regulatory aspects of entering the field and the analytical methods needed to produce a fuel with consistent quality. According to Jon Van Gerpen, workshop coordinator and professor of mechanical engineering, Iowa State University, “The workshops have been a lot of fun with lots of class participation. Many of the individuals attending the workshops are already biodiesel producers and have been great about sharing their experience with those starting new businesses.”
During one of the hands-on laboratories, students in the production technology workshop convert the free fatty acids that make up over 80 percent of a sample of trap grease into biodiesel. Van Gerpen commented that some of the students bring samples of their feedstocks and ask, “What can you do with this?” According to Van Gerpen, most of the students are amazed at the ease with which most of the feedstocks can be converted to biodiesel.
A highlight of the workshops is the opportunity to inspect the Iowa Energy Center’s Biomass Energy Conversion Center and the biodiesel pilot plant featured in the facility. The plant, which can run on virtually any oil or fat feedstock, includes most of the operations that would be part of a commercial plant. A guest lecturer at the analytical methods workshop in August was Stacey Greenhill, Stephan Company, the originator of the Greenhill Method, a new low-cost enzymatic method for determining biodiesel quality.
Although dates are not yet set, the next series of workshops will begin in March 2004. More information can be obtained on the Internet at www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel. Van Gerpen can be contacted by e-mail at jvg@iastate.edu, or at (515) 294-5563.
October 2003 Render