Tiny biodiesel reactor developed

[greenman3610]

Tiny Reactor Boosts Biodiesel Production
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=10300

April 20, 2006 — By William McCall, Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — A tiny chemical reactor that can convert vegetable oil directly into biodiesel could help farmers turn some of their crops into homegrown fuel to operate agricultural equipment instead of relying on costly imported oil.

"This is all about producing energy in such a way that it liberates people," said Goran Jovanovic, a chemical engineering professor at Oregon State University who developed the microreactor.

The device -- about the size of a credit card -- pumps vegetable oil and alcohol through tiny parallel channels, each smaller than a human hair, to convert the oil into biodiesel almost instantly.

By comparison, it takes more than a day to produce biodiesel with current technology.

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The device is small, but it can be stacked in banks to increase production levels to the volume required for commercial use, he said.

Biodiesel production on the farm also could reduce distribution costs by eliminating the need for tanker truck fuel delivery, part of the growing effort to meet fuel demand locally -- instead of relying on distant refineries and tanker transport.

"Distributed energy production means you can use local resources -- farmers can produce all the energy they need from what they grow on their own farms," Jovanovic said.

Source: Associated Press

[madokie]

1. Each small step is a step in the right direction

[LaBanty]

2. Fantastic News!

If push had come to shove years ago, this would already have impacted the current energy problem. Better late than never, I guess.

[Coexist]

3. Clip of audio of this inventor on Ed Schultz - great interview.

http://audio.wegoted.com/podcasting/41706Dirkzwager.mp3

"(04/17/2006) Straight talk from the Heartland with a Midwest Farmer who is making his own energy Play Clip

Lee Dirkzwager a farmer from York, ND has taken the initiative to build a biodiesel plant. Dirkzwager purchased an abandoned school and when at full tilt will be capable of producing up to four million gallons per year. Why the government is not encouraging more projects like Dirkzwagers is puzzling, being we are so addicted to oil."