How To Make BioDiesel Fuel Part 2: The Nuts And Bolts |
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Peter Ryan
18 November 2008
Obviously you can't make biodiesel fuel without oil to begin with.
In order to make Biodiesel fuel, one of the biggest challenges you'll have will be getting the oil.
Depending on how much oil you need, you need to be prepared to supply your supplier with containers for them to fill.
We supply 55 gal. drums with a hinge welded to the lid so if the lid has water on it when it is opened the water falls off the lid and not into the barrel.
Other options are to simply bolt a handle on the lid so they can lift it and dump the water off or you can even make or buy lids with a hatch built in and a screen underneath that automatically screens the oil as it goes in. If you only need small quantities, you may be able to have the restaurant put it into 5 gal pails or totes so you can simply load them into your vehicle.
Getting restaurants to give you oil just takes a little persistence and a willingness to ask. The best way we have found is to approach independently owned restaurants and ask to speak with the owner. Be sure to do this during their slow times like late afternoon, after the lunch rush and before dinner time.
If you frequent a certain restaurant they would be one of the first ones to approach. After you have a meal, ask for the owner and compliment him or her on their food. Then explain that you would like to pick up their used oil at no charge. In some areas you may even have to pay them for it ...maybe .25 to .50 per gallon.
You also may want to print some cards or fliers on your computer to hand to them. Sometimes it may take several contacts to get it all arranged.
If you do this make sure to use a good headline, and focus the marketing piece around what you are going to do for THEM.
Don't focus your marketing piece around you and what you need. No one cares about that. Make sure it's focused around their wants and needs.
You may even offer to share some portion of your Biodiesel fuel with them!
You may try mailing your flier to several restaurants and get them to call you. We tried phone calling and had limited success. Just keep working at it and you will be able to find a source. You may want to start with small towns where they have to pay to dispose of their oil. We have had very good success in smaller towns, but it does takes more driving time to collect the oil.
If you are willing to work at it and spend some time talking to potential suppliers you will learn the ropes and be able to acquire all the oil you need.
Once you have an oil source you will need some equipment to process it. Our next installment will show you how to set up your processing system.