Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Hodar
I guess my concern is that the amount of energy needed to process the manure is more than it produces.

I am leaving the ethanol industry ( on the road to much with all the plants being built!) and I know some of the problems in the renewable energy field.

If this process is manageable on a large scale and if the energy efficiency is right, than I foresee this taking off rather quickly!

To be honest, I would love to talk with some one with an engineering background on this! Might be a career opportunity if my new job doesn't work out!
101 posted on 04/13/2004 12:21:18 PM PDT by redgolum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]


To: redgolum
I guess my concern is that the amount of energy needed to process the manure is more than it produces.

That's the case in any production of fuel. But, at 85% effeciency, it's in the right range of pumping and processing raw crude. Plus, we would be getting rid of millions of tons of waste saving us money. It's not profitable yet (no industry is at the beginning) but it has the potential of being very profitable.

106 posted on 04/13/2004 12:28:20 PM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 101 | View Replies ]

To: redgolum
I guess my concern is that the amount of energy needed to process the manure is more than it produces.

This was the Achilles heel to the process, until Changing World Technologies came up with a brainstorm. Getting the water out of the material has been the most inefficient part of the process. It used to take MORE energy to dehydrate the material, than the material would produce. Here's the spin.

Heat the material to 300 F, under about 350 psi. Quickly remove the pressure, and the water/steam will immediately leave the material - reclaim the super-heated steam to pre-heat the next batch; then cool the steam and you have sterile water.

The rest of the process can now be done at much higher temperatures/pressures to do the 'cracking' process. The water is gone, and instead of burning energy to dehydrate, you used the water to efficient pre-heat the next batch. Problem solved.

107 posted on 04/13/2004 12:29:50 PM PDT by Hodar (With Rights, comes Responsibilities. Don't assume one, without assuming the other.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 101 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson