Making Biodiesel Work!

[Jong]

Just finished tearing through my new copy of the TDR #54, and read the last column by Kevin Cameron. Interesting reading, and something that has probably crossed a lot of minds lately. A lot of problems exist regarding the ability for biodiesel to make an impact in the amount of imported petroleum we run this country on. And the current system of using waste oils and farming soy and rapeseed just isn't going to cut the mustard (no pun intended :-laf :-laf :-laf ). However, there exists some ways to make the impossible more possible. At least maybe cutting our dependence 50%. That could be an attainable goal. Check out this website from UNH (my alma mater ) and see what you think. http://www.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel/article_alge.html

How about using desert "wasteland" to build these algae ponds in the southwest and fertilizing them with sewer treatment runoff? Just imagine, huge biodiesel farms that don't use existing farmland, with huge diesel refineries built next door? Using readily available raw materials and extraction methods... . it would give the world something to think about. Just imagine a highly efficient United States relying on virtually no imported oil. I say screw hydrogen, keep the corn for cattle feed and clambakes, and run with DIESEL!!!! Okay, enough of me spouting off... . I just wish some company would take off and run with this.

 

[MLee]

Sounds good!! But!!!!!!!!!!!

This sounds good to get off of dependency of the oil producing countries. But looks like to me there is going to be a whole lot of convincing to be done , like the EPA, the open space preservers, the sierra club, the tree huggers. And the people that watch the great big hole in the sky. They will say it will reduce more of the Ozone layer. [gasses that are produced like bovine gas. ] maybe.

Then the possibility of having a group put up the money to make it happen. What do you think??

just my penny's worth.

Marv.

 

[Jong]

Good points, but the great thing about this line of thought is that it leans toward being carbon neutral- the huge algae ponds will pull atmospheric carbon dioxide out of the air and convert it to oil. Just like having crops or forests pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and turning it into celluose or starches. And it'll use sludge and sewer runoff for fertilizer, using up another unwanted commodity. Furthermore, diesel engines are not only the most efficient powerplant currently available, they introduce the least carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere except for fuel cells, which aren't feasible due to the lack of available free hydrogen. One more benefit for the tree huggers is a huge drop in the number of oil tankers crossing the oceans to bring crude in from the Middle East with the potential for a spill!!! Who really wants another Exxon Valdez anyway? If you put the right points down in front of the environmentalists, you would think they would be all over it like a fat kid on a cupcake... . :-laf

 

[Crazy Horse]

Here's one of the big solutions: Open ANWAR!



This country needs to pull it's head out of the sand and be independant again.



Get involved, this is the news they don't show on the Alphabets (ABC, CBS, & NBC) every night.

 

[Headshot zod]

one must remember that enviromentalists are anti-industrialists and anti-capitialists. They aren't pro-enviroment to save the enviroment per se. Toyota only sold 11k Priuses (last year I think) and I think they are only only around 10k greasers. So the environazi's will only biofuels so much. Remember we can make biodiesel from animal fats. Like baby whales, seals, bear and deer. Straight rendered humback whale oil and liberal liposuction remains will also run in your truck if they are filtered enough (laughs outlout like Jabba the Hutt)... ... .....

 

[SKneeland]

shaddup hippies, buy our oil

 

[Jong]

The only thing I like about hippies is the generally don't eat meat... which means more steaks for the rest of us carnivores. :-laf :-laf :-laf Other than that, theyr'e just hairy, don't wash that often, and drive too slow in their VW's and Subarus.