Chewonki has upgraded its biodiesel facility, in order to increase its ability to rely on biofuels, and thereby decrease its carbon footprint. The upgrade includes a new, larger processor tank, a mist and bubblewash system, a hands-free methoxide closet, and a centrifuge-based filtration system. The new setup will increase production and be safer. It is also a more linear system, so that student and tour groups can more readily grasp the concepts of biodiesel production.


Our holding tank and methoxide closet (above).

Reactor vessel and settling tanks (above).

Wash tanks and centrifuge (as well as the beginning stages of our methanol still). We use both mistwashing and bubblewashing to clean the biodiesel. Instead of filters, we use a Dieselcraft centrifuge.

Glycerine Composting Station (sloppy work, but our Maine Coast Semester studentsdon't seem to mind).

More on Chewonki Biodiesel. . .