Where have I been?

Been Slack on the Old Blog stuff, here is a quick update;

Going Where?
I have spent the last 2 weeks with Scripture Union. Camp one was with Mirrabooka High Yr 8 boys doing a selective boys to men type camp. 17 kids, lots of attitude and not all good. The last night we had to sleep out by ourselves in the bush under our own hoothchies, I was wet, very wet! The talks I did on Men as Lover, King, Monk and Warrior went well (Thanks to Mike's suggestions on this site!)
Last week's camp was a bit less intense, Winthrop Baptist yr 11's Kayaking on the Murray.

Reading What?
Reading a few books;
Mark Sayers, "The Trouble With Paris"
Rob Hopkins, "The Transition Handbook"
Henry DeWitt, "Fathering Daughters - Reflections By Men"

Watching What?
Last night watched Kung Fu Panda - Great Laugh, even some Python style humour!
Watched a 1999 flick called Pitch Black which was the first in the Chronicles of Riddick series, Vin Diesel - Good watch!

Playing With What?
My bio diesel processor...we made a batch of 50L, then 80L went great, then a batch of 150L, not so great but managed a rescue and it looks great now. Then a couple of weeks ago did a 100L batch and managed soap. Yes soap is an unfortunate bi-product of stuffing up with this process. Glycerol is one of the waste products, it is also the base product for soap manufacturing, stuff up some small element in the bio process and wham - you have litres of liquid sticky glue which is actually heavy grade soap. My mate Lance has done most of the rescuing as I have been away. It looks like we may have saved a good deal of the oil!

Enjoying What?
Loved a walk to the library and then take-a-way and movies with my family yesterday arvo.
I am also enjoying the thought of 2 weeks leave over the July school hols. 3 days at Contos camp group near Prevally/Yallingup. 2 days up at the farm, lots of days just pottering at home.

Working For Whom?
I am still full time with Churches of Christ (3 days Youth Vision Ministry Coach and 2 Days OnEARTH/GMP). The SU (Scripture Union) stuff is really to keep a hand in with youth ministry experience as well as looking at options for next year.
I will be working for SU 2 days a week next year in their Neighbourhood Outreach/Forge area as well as doing a camp a term for them in Warriuka. Hopefully I can continue doing the OnEARTH stuff as it is hotting up a little.

Looking Forward to What?
Well 2 weeks leave, then 3 days in Sydney with Youth Vision, then starting up a 14 week study (OnEARTH/Ignition) which includes 2 weeks in Halls Creek with a crew from our Church as well as some others, I am also running a weekend leaders retreat in August which looks like fun.
Finishing off our new raised garden beds out the back, fixing my dead roller door, tidying up my yard a bit and generally slowing down and reading some more.

So that is it. Been way too busy, but feel ok. Not pumped. Always dreaming too much of a quiet life in the country, working less not more. But I need to learn to be in the moment more, "be where you are".

Why I Will Only Use Used Veggie Oil

I found this cartoon and comment on a site I view from time to time called Transition Culture.

It feels appropriate that I should mark the day when the UK government makes it law that all petrol and diesel must contain at least 2.5% of biofuel in some way. In his usual frank and thorough way, George Monbiot tells it like it is in today’s Guardian; “In the midst of a global humanitarian crisis, we have just become legally obliged to use food as fuel. It is a crime against humanity, in which every driver in this country has been forced to participate”. The most appropriate way I can mark this day of momentous stupidity is with the above powerful and to the point cartoon which Richard Heinberg used in his presentation at Findhorn recently.

Pondering BioDiesel

Yes, I know, Scott is on another full blown obsession, so get me a counselor!! Sitting here in Melbourne airport at 5am in the morning surfing Biodiesel sites sipping Gloria Jeans Long Macs.
But I thought I would confess to you my readers that I have bought a profession biodiesel production plant. I went pro so I could register it and do it legal like as well as the safety factor combined with the greater chance of not stuffing up my cars!!

The company that sold the plant to me has some great sites, an extract from one of the is below.

What could go wrong at this point?

• I need a source of used oil. Yes, I know I should have got it before I paid out the cash (Matt!!), but I have faith...and a few good leads. There is lots of oil out there, I just need to convince the people to give it to me rather than the company that has the contract to take it now.
• And secondly...I don't have a diesel car ...yet.
• It's all about timing, so the other thing on my mind is the whole balance thing (no not in my mind and life). But things like, what if I get a source of used oil, a big one, and all of a sudden, before I even know how to make it, I have drums of oil lining my drive before my license kicks in or before I even know how to make the stuff. (I am doing a course). What if I do all of the above, start making it, but don't get the car for 4 months. I then have drums of biodiesel lining the driveway, not used veggie oil!!! Anyway, all about timing.

Useful WA sites - http://www.bioworks.com.au/index.shtml
- http://ww.biodieselwarehouse.com.au/
- UWA

Main attributes of biodiesel

Renewable resource - Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oil, used cooking oils and animal tallow. These feedstocks can be produced indefinitely, using sustainable farming techniques to provide an environmentally friendly, sustainable fuel.

Widely used and accepted - Biodiesel is a proven fuel with an extensive history in the US and wide usage in Europe.

Carbon neutrality – Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store the carbon primarily in the form of carbohydrates and oils. By using vegetable oils as a raw material, biodiesel recycles carbon through the biosphere, allowing a significant reduction in carbon emissions when compared to traditional sources of energy.

What is biodiesel
Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel made from vegetable oil or animal fats. It can be used in modern compression-ignition (diesel) engines without requiring any engine modifications. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic, carbon neutral and is essentially free of sulphur and aromatics.

How is it produced
Vegetable oils and animal fats consist of a glycerine molecule, with three ‘fatty acid’ molecules attached to it. Biodiesel is made through a process called transesterification whereby the glycerine is separated from the fatty acids. The process leaves behind two products - biodiesel (Mono-alkyl ester) and glycerine (a by-product used in soaps and other products).

The process of manufacturing biodiesel is relatively simple. The feedstock oil is mixed with methanol and a catalyst (NaOH or KOH) to produce a reaction that creates biodiesel and glycerine. Applying heat and pressure to the reaction decreases the processing time. The Glycerine fraction is heavier than the biodiesel, allowing it to separate out naturally after the reaction. Ethanol can be used instead of methanol for biodiesel production, however the reaction is less predictable.

Advantages of biodiesel

• Renewable - vegetable oil derived fuel
• Potential for Carbon Neutral lifecycle
• Simple to make
• Non-toxic
• Biodiesel is free from sulphur (<>
• The only alternative fuel that does not require engine modification or retuning
• Safer for storage and handling than petroleum diesel
• Can be used neat or blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel
• Biodegradable
• Higher Lubricity - can prolong engine life
• Dramatically reduced emissions
• High flashpoint

So, What Would You Do?

I have a Mazda 626 7 seater wagon 1990, It blew a gear box (Auto) 2 months ago, I put another one it, it blew last week and I got another one (free). It needs new exhaust, and the list goes on.
I need to lose it!

I would like;
- Another 7 or 8 seater.
- A diesel (obviously so I can make my own)
- One that fits under my 1900mm garage.
- I don't have to have a 4wd.
- I don't have to have a van.
- I have $15000 max

Any clues?

I hate cars!

To Pay or Not to Pay #2

Our government seems to be pro-environment, well they do have Pete on board, remember Mr Garrett?
So one would think that they would support people wanting to get a hold of a product that was destined to be poured into a landful and turn it into a non-poluting fuel for a car. You would think hey?

Well lets just see what I need to do to abide by the rules of our government if I want to produce biodiesel.
I need to apply for the privilage to produce my own car fuel.
In order to do this I need to prove that my set up is appropriate (like I would spend $5000 setting it all up only to be told, "nope you don't get approval on that set up" - I am told only the top line off the factory floor set ups get looked at)
Once I get my production and storage licence I can begin.
Oh wait - I need to pay the ATO money, more than 40 cents for every litre I produce (or that I record that I have produced ...settle boy!!).

No problems, they are kind enough to have a grant system.
The system is great, it's 100% rebate. (why charge the tax in the first place?)

Who is eligable for the grant?
Anyone with a 4 tonne or more vehical (counts me out!)

But lets say I had the vehicle, a small truck.
I would need to proove that my fuel is good enough to qualify for a government rebate, only the highest quality gets the grant :)

So they ask for a sample, I give away some of my fuel and they give me in return a $1500 invoice for my trouble! (This has to happen once a year)

So really they don't want people producing their own fuel, not the little guy at least.

What has been the result?

Many many people here in Perth are blackmarketing their fuel, bootleg fuel!

Funny thing is, that the petrol companies are quiet. They are happy that people are being taxed and discouraged in making their own enviro-fuel - of course they are!
Just like the liquore industry would be mad if home brew was not taxed... wait a minute, home brew isn't taxed, and the idustry was upset with that decision, but the government went ahead and let people make their own brew - tax free.

So why not let us make environmentally friendly fuel at home?

Oil companies, I tell you, I am hearing consipracy theories!

So, apart from the fact that I have told the whole world on this blog (including the tax department) of my ethical dilemma, I will ask the question -

To Pay (the tax) or not to pay?

BioDiesel Video

Something for all you curious rev heads out there. This guy makes his biodiesel on the video clip. From what I read he makes it sound a little more simple than it is, he makes it seem quicker too, by hey, that TV for you!
You can make your own kit, no need to purchase one like his, but OHHHHH boy it's temptimg, that kits is shweeet!

Make your own Diesel

What about this hey -

"We turned our kitchen into a sort of illicit still and made a hell of a mess in there brewing biodiesel fuel out of about 60 litres of yukky waste cooking oil we got from behind McDonald's one night (they were happy to give it to us once we told them we didn't want to eat it). We were sure it would work, but we had to make it ourselves first -- we're not chemists, and if we can make it anyone can."

I don't own a diesel, but I am in the market for a new car, so imagine saving $50 a week on fuel!
It's not a 10 minute process, it takes a bit to get going but hey, a few early mornings out in the shed never hurt anyone!

I found some info in case you were wondering -

Biodiesel facts

The raw material -- used cooking oil.

Biodiesel is much cleaner than fossil-fuel diesel ("dinodiesel"). It can be used in any diesel engine with no need for modifications -- in fact diesel engines run better and last longer with biodiesel. And it can easily be made from a common waste product -- used cooking oil.

• Biodiesel fuel burns up to 75% cleaner than conventional diesel fuel made from fossil fuels
• Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in exhaust fumes
• Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulphur)
• Biodiesel is plant-based and adds no CO2 to the atmosphere
• The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than conventional diesel fuel
• Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions may increase or decrease but can be reduced to well below conventional diesel fuel levels by adjusting engine timing and other means
• Biodiesel exhaust is not offensive and doesn't cause eye irritation (it smells like French fries!)
• Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, "more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt" (US National Biodiesel Board)
• Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine
• Fuel economy is the same as conventional diesel fuel
• Biodiesel is a much better lubricant than conventional diesel fuel and extends engine life -- a German truck won an entry in the Guinness Book of Records by travelling more than 1.25 million km (780,000 miles) on biodiesel with its original engine
• Biodiesel has a high cetane rating, which improves engine performance: 20% biodiesel added to conventional diesel fuel improves the cetane rating 3 points, making it a Premium fuel
• Biodiesel can be mixed with ordinary petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion, with no need for a mixing additive.
• Even a small amount of biodiesel means cleaner emissions and better engine lubrication: 1% biodiesel will increase lubricity by 65%
• Biodiesel can be produced from any fat or vegetable oil, including waste cooking oil.

Have a listen to this radio interview.