A Biodiesel Product Development Manager leads the applied research that turns new feedstocks and processes into fuel that can be sold. You plan experiments, scale lab results toward a plant, analyze data, guide technicians, and report to senior leaders. The path runs in three stages. First you build chemistry, math and lab-data fundamentals. Then you learn biodiesel production and fuel quality (transesterification, ASTM D6751), which makes you hireable as a lab or process engineer. Finally you learn scale-up, techno-economics and project leadership. Most people in this role hold a bachelor's d
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Stage 1 of 3 · about 16 weeks
Understand the chemistry, math and lab-data habits behind every biofuel experiment, and be able to explain how a triglyceride becomes biodiesel.
Organic chemistry of fats, oils and esters
Biodiesel is made by reacting triglycerides with alcohol. If you understand the reaction, you can see why free fatty acids, water and catalyst choice cause problems in the plant.
Mass and energy balances
Managers are asked how much feedstock, methanol and catalyst a process needs and what yield is realistic. Balances are the language of process work.
Data analysis in Excel and basic statistics
You will judge experiments by data. You must tell a real improvement from noise before you propose a change to management.
Lab safety and technical writing
Methanol is toxic and flammable and caustic catalysts burn. Clear lab notebooks and short reports are also how managers earn trust.
Then 2 more stages (about 60 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 6 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.