Portable, trash-powered generator ready for deployment (news.com.com)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Martin LaMonica
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: February 2, 2007, 8:47 AM PST

Scientists at Purdue University have developed a portable generator that uses trash as its primary fuel source.

Called a tactical biorefinery, the device was designed at the behest of the U.S. Army. But researchers say the generators could also be used in civilian situations, such as emergencies that require portable generators.

About the size of a small moving van, the diesel generator can process several types of refuse, including paper, plastic, Styrofoam, cardboard, woodchips and food waste.

"This is a very promising technology," Michael Ladisch, a Purdue professor of agricultural and biological engineering who leads the project, said Thursday in a statement. "In a very short time, it should be ready for use in the military, and I think it could be used outside the military."
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Also, they note that the system is efficient, with the first prototype producing about 90 percent more energy than it consumes.
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more: http://news.com.com/Portable%2C+trash-powered+generator+ready+for+deployment/2100-11395_3-6155753.html

90% more than it consumes ?? I read that as 47% conversion ...