Make your own fuel, for a fraction of what you would pay at the pump

Small biodiesel producers have always been the most creative and enthusiastic problem solvers. This book presents the accumulated experience of two of the field's most experienced and authoritative practitioners. They not only guide you through the steps of making your own fuel, but make you excited to get started. -Jon Van Gerpen, Chair and Professor of Biological Engineering, University of Idaho

Small-scale home biodiesel production holds a singular attraction for any do-it-yourself enthusiast who wants to reduce their dependence on Big Oil. This unique renewable fuel is economical, fun to make, and better for the environment. And getting started is easier than you think.

Backyard Biodiesel is written by two recognized experts in the field of small-scale biofuels. This comprehensive hands-on, practical, DIY guide includes:

• The basics of small-scale brewing - recipes, strategies, and technologies
• Advanced backyard analytics and troubleshooting
• Safety considerations and regulatory issues
• Topping up the tank - how to put your biodiesel to work for you.

Designed to be accessible to everyone from readers with no prior technical expertise to alternative energy buffs, Backyard Biodiesel is, packed with everything you need to get up and running quickly and safely. A must-read for any aspiring brewer.

Lyle Estill is the president and co-founder of Piedmont Biofuels and the author of Industrial Evolution , Small is Possible , and Small Stories, Big Changes . He has won numerous awards for his commitment to sustainability, outreach, community development and leadership.

Bob Armantrout helped manage four commercial biodiesel plants before joining Piedmont Biofuels in 2007. He worked as an instructor at Central Carolina Community College, where he spearheaded an innovative two-year biofuels degree program.

To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending select New Society Publishers books to its readers. This book is one of them.

Lyle Estill is the president and co-founder of Piedmont Biofuels, a community scale biodiesel project in Pittsboro, North Carolina. He has been on the vanguard of social change for the past decade, which has placed him at the heart of the sustainability movement. Lyle is a prolific speaker and writer, and the author of Small Stories, Big Changes , Industrial Evolution , Small is Possible and Biodiesel Power . He has won numerous awards for his commitment to resilience, community development, outreach and leadership.

Bob Armantrout helped to manage four commercial biodiesel plants in Hawai'i, Colorado, and Texas before moving to Pittsboro, North Carolina in 2007 to join Piedmont Biofuels. He works as an instructor at Central Carolina Community College, where he designed and delivers an innovative two-year biofuels degree program. When he is not immersed in the fascinating world of alternative fuels, Bob gardens organically to maintain his sanity, and explores the world of mycelium through mushroom and tempeh production.

Acknowledgments
Warning and Disclaimer
Introduction

1. Literature Review
2. Oil and Biodiesel Chemistry Primer
3. Gathering Ingredients
4. Grease Wars
5. Basic Recipes
6. Backyard Economics
7. Feedstock Collection and Pretreatment
8. Reactors and Processors
9. Purification and Drying Strategies
10. Fuel Quality and Backyard Analytics
11. Troubleshooting
12. Safety
13. The Great Wall of Glycerin: Side Streams
14. Regulations
15. Myths and Realities
16. The Community
17. Commercial Production
18. Conclusion

Index
About the Authors