Next generation biofuels to turn human waste into diesel

[jpak]

http://environment.guardian.co.uk/energy/story/0,,2107803,00.html

Britain could meet much of its future energy demand by turning waste products such as wood, plastic bags and even human sewage into transport fuels, scientists said yesterday.

So-called "second generation" biofuels could also be produced from agricultural wastes such as straw, as well as farmed energy crops such as willow, and would be free of the controversies that surround current green fuels. A network of waste converters across the country could produce a third of the diesel required by UK motorists while slashing greenhouse gas emissions, the scientists said.

Jeremy Tomkinson, head of the Non-Food Crops Centre in York, said: "This could offer enormous carbon savings and all we need is a source of renewable carbon. We put it in a box and fuel comes out of the other end." Such biofuels are considered environmentally benign because the carbon produced when the fuel is burnt was absorbed from the atmosphere by the plants or trees used to make it.

Dr Tomkinson said such second-generation biofuels addressed concerns over food production and tropical deforestation because they would not compete with crops or require extra land. He said some environmental campaigners had made biofuels a scapegoat for existing problems, despite only 3% of palm oil being used to make them. About 85% of palm oil goes to make food and 8% to the pharmaceutical industry, he said.

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[RufusTFirefly]

1. Interesting. But what about methane?

Methane is actually a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2. It's just less prevalent in the atmosphere. So far.

[kestrel91316]

2. Methane is a byproduct of anaerobic fermentation. I don't think

that process will be used here. At any rate, they will be doing their process in a closed system, so they can capture any methane that is given off and use it for power generation.

[chaska]

3. Fuck all biofuels! Automobiles are the problem. Why do we want to feed that problem...?

We need to be turning our shit into topsoil, which will be a hell of a lot more important in the future than the ability to drive to Walmart.

[greenman3610]

5. cars are a problem

but getting them under control is going to
be a multigenerational project.
for the moment, we are trapped into
needing them for commuting,etc.

[Javaman]

11. Pfft! it's always we we we with you isn't it? Always thinking about the future and everyone else.

We need more folks like you. :)
Cheers.

[NNadir]

4. I trust that no one will be inspired to compare the size of the fuel tank on an over the road

truck and the turds in their toilets.

[glitch]

6. This is more like it, not turning crops (unless it's algae) into biofuels. Thanks for posting. nt

[many a good man]

7. Exxon proposes burning humanity for fuel

In the actual speech, the "NPC rep" announced that current U.S. and Canadian energy policies (notably the massive, carbon-intensive exploitation of Alberta's oil sands, and the development of liquid coal) are increasing the chances of huge global calamities. But he reassured the audience that in the worst case scenario, the oil industry could "keep fuel flowing" by transforming the billions of people who die into oil.

"We need something like whales, but infinitely more abundant," said "NPC rep" "Shepard Wolff" (actually Andy Bichlbaum of the Yes Men), before describing the technology used to render human flesh into a new Exxon oil product called Vivoleum. 3-D animations of the process brought it to life.

"Vivoleum works in perfect synergy with the continued expansion of fossil fuel production," noted "Exxon rep" "Florian Osenberg" (Yes Man Mike Bonanno). "With more fossil fuels comes a greater chance of disaster, but that means more feedstock for Vivoleum. Fuel will continue to flow for those of us left."

The oilmen listened to the lecture with attention, and then lit "commemorative candles" supposedly made of Vivoleum obtained from the flesh of an "Exxon janitor" who died as a result of cleaning up a toxic spill. The audience only reacted when the janitor, in a video tribute, announced that he wished to be transformed into candles after his death, and all became crystal-clear.

more: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00281.htm

[Gregorian]

8. This administration could FUEL THE WORLD with all of it's bullshit.

But I agree with the above poster that it's cars, and our modern society, that are the real problem. And population. Not our ability to continue driving cars. Billions of tires, gears, copper for the electric motors in the new electric cars, glass, roads, etc. ad infinitem.

Less, smaller, slower. Three words nobody wants to hear.

[DarkTirade]

9. Now that's the real meaning of recycling. :)

[schrodingers_cat]

10. Introducing the........FARTCAR? !?!?!? (n/t)