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Contents contributed and discussions participated by pettitmat99

pettitmat99

Biofuels - 0 views

  • Biofuels are basically any fuel that can be burned in air to produce heat that is produced by biological means, normally by plant growth. Currently the most prominant biofuels are ethanol and bio-deisel because these can be burned in existing internal combustion engines and are thus a direct replacement for oil. The most important biofuel historically is wood with oth
  • Biofuels are currently cheaper than oil although this is only because we are seeing very high oil prices at the moment. Under what might be termed more 'normal' market conditions, biofuels lack any meaningful price advantage. Biofuel production is very labor intensive and very land intensive. Production of ethanol from sugar cane was pioneered by the Brazilians in the 1970's as a solution to an oil import bill they could ill afford. It worked for them as they have plenty of land they can convert to growing sugar cane and at the time, plenty of cheap labor with which to harvest it.
  • he simple truth is the world does not have enough land to produce anywhere near the quantity of biofuels we need to make any dent in our oil consumption. They are only in fashion now oil prices are high and it is cost effective to produce them. Sooner or later food prices will rise to such a point that biofuel production will cease to be economic.
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  • In any case the current price of oil is unlikely to be sustained. Much of today's oil prices can be attributed to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East and the hording of oil both for security of supply and more recently as a hedge against the falling dollar.
  • e they cheaper than oil? That depends how you calculate the cost!
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    "But herein lies the first problem with biofuels. They may be carbon nuetral but they are certainly not as green as they might be. Not if the land to grow sugar is coming from cutting down the Amazon jungle and not if vast quantities o"
pettitmat99

2 studies conclude that biofuels are not so green after all - The New York Times - 0 views

  • most all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels if the pollution caused by producing these "green" fuels is taken into account, two studies published Thursday have concluded.
  • The benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months as scientists have evaluated the global environmental cost of their production. The new studies, published by the journal Science, are likely to add to the controversy.
  • When you take this into account, most of the biofuel that people are using or planning to use would probably increase greenhouse gasses substantially," sai
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  • t even that equation proved overly simplistic because the process of turning plants into fuel causes it own emissions - through refining and transport, for example
  • If vegetable oil prices go up globally, as they have because of increased demand for biofuel crops, new land is inevitably cleared as farmers in developing countries switch production. Crops from old plantations and fields go to Europe for biofuels, but new fields and plantations are created to feed people at home.
    • pettitmat99
       
      GR8 info on pollution of biofuels
  • ut the new studies suggested that when land use is taken into account few, if any biofuels, will be acceptable.
  • d: "If the whole point of biofuels directives was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we've found out that most biofuels are not really better than conventional fuels at that."
pettitmat99

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Biodiesel Production and Distribution - 0 views

    • pettitmat99
       
      great photo on the production of biodeisels
  • he production process converts oils and fats into chemicals called long-chain mono alkyl esters, or biodiesel. These chemicals are also referred to as fatty acid methyl esters, and t
  • Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, yellow grease, and tallow.
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  • Raw or refined plant oil, or recycled greases that have not been processed into biodiesel, are not biodiesel and should be avoided
  • Fats and oils (triglycerides) are much more viscous than biodiesel, and low-level vegetable oil blends can cause long-term engine deposits, ring sticking, lube-oil gelling, and other maintenance problems that can reduce engine life
  • Biodiesel is distributed from the point of production to retail fueling stations by truck, train, or barge.
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    good website to find most information on biofuels
pettitmat99

Soymet to distribute biofuels for engines - 0 views

  • All Soymet biofuel products have zero petroleum toxins and lower emissions. Primary byproducts are carbon dioxide and water vapor. These biodiesel fuels burn cleanly and produce the same amount of energy as conventional diesel fuels.
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    Supposedly cleaner but still gives off emissions
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