Half way

300 Gallons - half way

We passed the half way point after a challenging week. Another 300 gallons to go. Racing against the clock with Wendy's belly: last check up says we have an 8 pounder on the way. a few calls with "am I in early labor?"; our company investor says "whenever the baby arrives we count the gallons: that's it". this might be one expensive child.

Silicon Valley meets Renewable Fuels

20%!

A few minutes ago we passed the 20% marker of our production goal of 600 gallons of renewable diesel. If I haven't explained it yet, "renewable diesel" is the next generation of diesel fuel: it's identical in its chemical properties to diesel fuel but comes from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils or fats, oils and greases. This is different from biodiesel which is a methyl-ester--a fuel that resembles the performance characteristics of diesel but its not compatible with pipelines, cars and trucks. We are producing a hydrocarbon that is a direct diesel fuel replacement.

Last night was our 4th night of continuous production. Ben, Peter and I each take a shift with a back up from Equipo Mexicano: Jose and Jaime. We've also enjoyed the support of friends like Papa Rosen who bring beer and pizza and Jason Burnett who come in their Faconable shirts and "write memos".

We are set up at the old Fritzche Airfield in Marina, CA on the edge of the old Fort Ord military base just north of my hometown. We are surrounded by sand dunes (where I have been driving out to sleep whenever i can). On the east end of the runway starts the glorious Salinas Valley.

Day Two
After several on-the-fly major changes to the reactor column we resumed full run tonight at about 9PM. Once again Peter and Ben carried the heavy load. I left at 7AM and drove home via the Marriot where I dropped off company sweatshirts to our investors. I fell asleep at the wheel and heard a massive horn cry--turned out to be directed at another driver but it was the scare I needed. When I am done with this shift, and if I'm tired, I'll just drive my truck back into the dunes (as I did the other day when I crashed out for a good hour on a futon in the back of my truck).

Jaime is working the graveyard with me tonight. He works for my Dad normally. He's eager to help and reminds me much of his kind country, Guatemala.

The moon is up. It's not cold out--even maybe warm. Last night it was freezing rain so it's pleasant but I already know it's going to be a long night. I got about 4.5 hours of sleep in the last 36 hours.

We're off!

Tuesday, August 11

RFP's continued financing is dependent on achieving continuous production of fuel from its reactor. August 11 we set out run 24/hrs until we produce 600 gallons of perfect diesel. We have $1.6 million riding on it; that's $2,400 / gallon.

Investor checked us out, hired 3rd party verification guy said we're doing something unique. Peter and Ben got our hot oily brazilian (aka "the reactor") stabilized. Challenging day of shuttling investor around (but very cool guy) and getting the reaction settled in.

Major last minute surgery on the cracking column as we started to wax up after 5 hours. Ben plumbed into the stainless steel plates to drain the lower levels of the column while running. Normally this is done by shutting down and "de-coking" but we need to do it on they fly as we only have one reactor and need to keep it going full time.

Jose and I have the first night shift. 12:06 Peter left, Ben is across the street in the hangar sleeping but on call. We will be relieved at 6AM by Jaime and Peter.