Posted on 11/17/2011 5:43:08 AM PST by thackney
Navy Testing Algae Bio-Fuel On Decommissioned Destroyer USS Paul Foster
SAN DIEGO -- For the first time, the U.S. Navy is conducting a test on a full-sized ship that, if successful, could result in changes throughout the fleet.
The USS Paul Foster, a decommissioned Navy destroyer, is carrying and using 20,000 gallons of algae-derived bio-fuel.
"The oil is extracted out of the algae and then processed in a similar fashion that crude oil is fashioned, but it's all grown in the U.S., processed in the U.S. and refined in the U.S." said Sherry Williams, part of the Navy's Fuel Demonstration Team.
The ship is using a 50-50 blend of the bio-fuel and the regular F-76 diesel a destroyer normally uses.
If the test is successful and there is no change in performance or wear on the engines, then it's a safe assumption it will be made available fleet-wide.
"We basically budget about $1 billion a year in energy costs throughout the fleet," said Cmdr. James Goudreau with the Navy's Energy Office.
A destroyer or cruiser, with four gas turbine engines each, uses about 28 gallons per minute at full power.
"This would be an enormous savings and obviously cut our dependence on imported oil," Goudreau said.
The algae bio-fuel has already had successful tests on landing craft and was even mixed with jet fuel for a Blue Angels demonstration.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, wants a so-called green fleet to make a full deployment by 2016.
Navy launches its largest biofuel test for ship
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/11/17/navy-launches-its-largest-biofuel-test-for-ship/
The Navy has tested algae-based fuel on small ships and individual aircrafts but the Foster is the first destroyer to run on it. No changes were made to the ship’s engine to prepare it for the biofuel. Experts will be monitoring its temperature gauges and propulsion, how it runs at different speeds and how much fuel it expends as it chugs along California’s Pacific coast.
The ship made the same trip earlier from Port Hueneme to San Diego on petroleum. Naval officials will use data from that trip to compare how the ship performs when running on biofuel.
We have one of the largest supplies of carbon fuels and the government refuses to use them! WHY?
Because Obama hates America and believes we are ONE with the world.
http://www.futureworldcurrency.com/Documents.asp?DocumentAreaID=498
When I saw in the article “The Great Green Fleet” I almost puked up some grean pea soup...
What has happened to my Navy!!!
I really have to wonder how well, if they made NO changes to tht ships plant, those LM2500 gas turbine units are going to take to this “new” alternative fuel...
Because if I was on one of those ships, and they clonked out because of some problem with the fuel gumming up the works when we needed to fight, or during flight ops at the wrong time...
I would hope there would be significant (long-term) testing done to protect these investments...
Since ALL of the Spruance Class DD (Kidd class DDG’s) are being scrapped, sunk or sold, and the only games we have in town are the Arliegh Burke’s and the few Tico Classes we have still churning and burning out there...
I would hope we don’t go to press putting this stuff in those until we know for sure what it does to the plants and how often we have to inspect, refurbish, maintain those playforms and how much the cost benefits in using this alternative fuel, to the needs and cost of yard avalabilities are weighed...
I’ve deployed with the P.F. Foster back when I was in the fleet...I’m glad she is still chugging...
But hey, if it works in all aspects...Rock on!!!
Its just when we hear “Green Energy/Jobs/fuels” it sets off alarms...
A friend of mine is involved in algae based fuel for the military.
This is not about “green SH!t” Think about the ability to set up a fuel plant anywhere there is salt water? Could that have a effect on logistics for a military around the world?
A friend of mine is involved in algae based fuel for the military.
This is not about “green SH!t” Think about the ability to set up a fuel plant anywhere there is salt water? Could that have a effect on logistics for a military around the world?
The USS Paul Foster, a decommissioned Navy destroyer,....
Since the base line will be data from a cruise while still commissioned, I hope someone takes into account any weight difference the decommissioning may have incurred. Compliment, provisions, armament, ammunition etc.
Not to mention that, given how fast algae can grow, it might even be feasible to refit some of the larger ships so they can grow their own fuel, or at least supplement so they don’t need to refuel so often.
Letting Obama’s Green Energy cronies get their hooks into the DOD budget. Sure, why not?
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