Mobile Biodiesel Production System: A Tool for Small Scale Biodiesel Education.

The Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences (NRES) at Alabama A&M University (AAMU), and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, through the office of the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture and its Alternative Energy Unit have reached an agreement to create an outreach program to expose, demonstrate and educate citizens of Alabama on proper procedures of producing high quality biodiesel on small scale systems. 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 including used cooking oil. The complete system is assembled on a 6’x16’ modified flatbed trailer for ease of transport. The unit is part of the biofuel research project being conducted at Alabama A&M University. The unit provides an opportunity for hands-on demonstration for participants and has been displayed at state fairs, cooperative extension meetings and other agricultural related events. The system is also being used as a tool to educate 4-H, FFA, high schools, junior colleges and biodiesel entrepreneurs around the state of Alabama.  The complete system, which includes a 6-ton oilseed press provides farmers the potential to produce on-farm biodiesel to offset the rising cost of petro-diesel.