Biofuel from waste, enough to fuel Europe?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by clueless1, Aug 10, 2012.

  1. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598
    We all know the downside of the biofuel craze. Land being used to produce fuel instead of food, perfectly good food crops being made into fuel, while poor people struggle to buy food.

    Here's some sign that we can have our cake and eat it:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19179419

    Seems to be saying that with new refining techniques, we can make enough petrol and diesel for all of Europe's vehicles, by using just 20% of the waste material from harvest, ie the bits we don't eat anyway. Sounds good.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

      Joined:
      May 5, 2012
      Messages:
      28,549
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Public Transport
      Location:
      At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
      Ratings:
      +53,701
      Sounds good to me! This is the sort of technology that we should be investing heavily in (well, this and nuclear in my opinion);
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • lazydog

        lazydog Know nothing but willing to learn

        Joined:
        Jun 30, 2011
        Messages:
        790
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        waiting to win the Lotto
        Location:
        Black Country Nr Dudley
        Ratings:
        +641
        If Adam Henson from Countryfile is anything to go by he makes more money from rape than corn or wheat,
        Sad state of affairs IMHO lets hope the new technology comes good and the government dont screw it up with taxes.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • clueless1

          clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

          Joined:
          Jan 8, 2008
          Messages:
          17,778
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Here
          Ratings:
          +19,598
          That's a good point that suddenly makes something I've noticed make a lot of sense. I've noticed more and more 'yellow fields' (oil seed rape) everywhere lately. It seems to be our dominant local crop. I did wonder about it, because our climate in the north east is traditionally more about wheat and spuds until recent years.
           
        • Dave W

          Dave W Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Feb 6, 2006
          Messages:
          6,143
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Anything I fancy and can afford!
          Location:
          Tay Valley
          Ratings:
          +3,035
          Thanks for that link clueless. It's very encouraging to see that there's progress being made in this area and biofuel production does not need to come at the cost of feeding the poorest nations.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Jiffy

            Jiffy The Match is on Fire

            Joined:
            Aug 25, 2011
            Messages:
            11,936
            Occupation:
            Pyro
            Location:
            Retired Next To The Bonfire in UK
            Ratings:
            +35,243
            It will all be down to the price and costs of the waste
            This year there not much mazie in USA, even GM mazie (drought year), the UK maize dosen't look over good this year (wet year) but uk maize is growen for aniaml feed mostly so the whole crop is used
             
          • Phil A

            Phil A Guest

            Ratings:
            +0
            It's a mystery to me why we don't make gas from the human & animal poo here:what:

            China has been doing it for decades. Instead, we let our waste decompose & add methane to the atmosphere, where we could be using it for cooking or to fuel power stations.

            The by product of a methane digester is compost.
             
            • Like Like x 3
            • Jiffy

              Jiffy The Match is on Fire

              Joined:
              Aug 25, 2011
              Messages:
              11,936
              Occupation:
              Pyro
              Location:
              Retired Next To The Bonfire in UK
              Ratings:
              +35,243
              Some farmers are doing it from moo poo with help with some tax payers money

              and i think wessex water done some thing
              Just had look around i think the company is Geneco
              http://www.geneco.uk.com/
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Phil A

                Phil A Guest

                Ratings:
                +0
                Nice one Jiffy:dbgrtmb:

                Ever smelt the gas from a Chinese lighter? Think we can work out how they are making it:snork:
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • Jiffy

                  Jiffy The Match is on Fire

                  Joined:
                  Aug 25, 2011
                  Messages:
                  11,936
                  Occupation:
                  Pyro
                  Location:
                  Retired Next To The Bonfire in UK
                  Ratings:
                  +35,243
                  No, but work with lots of cows !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  Loading...

                  Share This Page

                  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                    Dismiss Notice