Dear intrepid do-it-yourself biodiesel maker, let New Pig be of help. You carry a heavy load.

I’ve just been reading about all that goes into the journey from fryer to fuel tank when you don’t cut any corners (see partial list of production considerations below). Whew.

Our absorbents can help you quickly clean up spills of the various liquids involved in your process:

• Organic oil (typically vegetable oil)
• Lye
• Methanol
• Glycerin
• Water
• Finished fuel

Use PIG® Universal Absorbent Mat (in pads or rolls) to clean up any of the above, except for glycerin, which is easier to handle with PIG® Heavy Fluids Aborbents.

Below I’ve also added links to other product lines that you might want to check out. That is, assuming you’ve already talked to your accountant, your mechanic, your fire marshal, your insurance agent, perhaps the commander of your state’s national guard …

BIODIESEL PRODUCTION INVOLVES:

• Toxic and caustic chemicals
• Flammable liquids
• State, local and federal safety and environmental regulations
• Diesel engine manufacturers’ warranties
• State and federal fuel taxes

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SOME PIG® PRODUCTS OF INTEREST TO BIODIESEL MAKERS

• PIG® Barrel Top Absorbent Mat
• Corrosive Storage Cabinets
• Dispensers and Measures
• Drum Pumps
• Oil Tank Containment
• Oily Waste Cans
• Personal Safety/PPE
• Poly Funnels
• Safety Cabinets
• Samplers and Testers
• Steel Funnels
• Bulk Storage and Collection Units
• Storage and Handling
• Storage Cabinets

Today, you can drive across the country because of the network of gas stations.

Tomorrow, you’ll be able to drive across the country in an electric car because of the network of battery-exchange stations. Drive up, trade out your battery, get back on the road.

That’s the vision described in this article. Makes sense.

As it happens, we’ll adjust our offering of products for battery collection and containment.

Image © jeff gynane – Fotolia.com

I happened to come across Pig Wheels for skateboards.

I relate to the marketing theme, the graphics are cool, and the catalog has a wide selection, but I’m not about to test the products myself. Are they good?

I did watch a video of Pig Wheels in action. Lots of hard falls by users perfecting tricks. Looked painful. Hope there were first aid kits handy.

Click to see Map-A-Spill

Click to see products for emergency spill response

Pigs to the rescue, once again. This time we’re helping out the ethanol industry.

Two of its production problems are reducing emissions and marketing byproducts.

Researchers have figured out a way to process distillers’ grains (stuff left-over after turning corn’s starch into fuel) in a way that decreases emissions.

Then they mix the grains with soybeans to create pig feed that’s as nutritious as soybeans alone but cheaper.

Problems solved, oink you very much.

I do love straight soybeans (especially served by my Mom! Sniff, Love you, Mom), but, sure—I could go for some nice soy-grain.

I can see it in Soybutter Dip. Garbansoy Soup. Lemon-Artichoke Soyffle. Soy Yogurt Berry Pops. Mmmm …

Image © cullenphotos – Fotolia.com

What were we talking about?

Eco-flaps do even more than they were designed to.

The original idea was to reduce blinding overspray thrown by a tractor-trailer (we’ve all been there, right?), making highways safer for both trailing vehicles and the trucker looking in his rearview mirror.

But the slatted, 75%-open design also decreases drag, thereby saving gas and reducing emissions significantly.

Drive safer and greener with Eco-flaps, baby!

With those on your wheels, and equipment for quick, effective spill response on board (bag spill kit, containment pool), you can feel pretty doggone good about yourself.

Interested in reducing lift truck and other material handling expenses?

Hyster, a leader in lift trucks, is offering the free booklet 10 Strategies to Help You Thrive in the Economic Downturn. Topics include energy conservation, parts replacement, maintenance, financing options, telemetry, advantages of fleet management and more.

Click here to download the PDF.

You’ll just have to watch!

A recent study indicates that a workplace may see small but significant decreases in the risk of obesity by taking relatively simple steps, including:

• Stocking vending machines and cafeterias with healthy food choices
• Marking out walking paths
• Posting signs encouraging increased physical activity

A related study found that medical costs are about 20 percent higher for obese workers versus normal-weight workers, so those simple steps may not only help particular workers but produce net savings.

Images © AJ Design – Fotolia.com

I finally know what “gently-worn” means, as in “donate your gently-worn footwear to needy people through Soles4Souls.”

They define “gently-worn” as: You’d still wear them. Good rule of thumb—er, toe, in this case.

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based group that facilitates tax-deductible donations of both new and used shoes. So far it’s distributed over 3.3 million pairs (one pair every 23 seconds) to over 60 countries, including Honduras, Romania, Thailand, and the Sudan.

One of their recent press releases points out that a shoe fair or shoemobile at your work site is a great time to collect used safety footwear and other work shoes. Their Shoe Drive page does a good job of spelling out the process. Hike over there and check it out.