BioC: Re: GAS-L: Biodiesel question

[Reedtb2@cs.com]

Dear Cal and all:

There is no doubt in my mind that biodiesel from WASTE vegetable oil is 
viable.  Growing new virgin oil is a much shakier proposition and probably 
will cost 2 to 3 X as much.  So, the answer depends on the cost of oil AND 
our ability to raise crops without using oil.  Could take a few decades to 
kick the petroleum dependency.  I hope we will have a few to spare.

The dreamers are always looking for miracle crops.  We chemists try to 
improve conversion efficiency instead. 

Time will tell....   Yours truly,                         TOM REED         
BEF/CPC



In a message dated 12/31/00 11:00:34 AM Mountain Standard Time, 
calsch@montana.com writes:


> I know Tom Reed has done some research into biodiesel. So this question
> is mainly for him.
>
> From an engineering perspective and considering btus input into the 
> cycle and btus available as product, is biodiesel a viable option?
>
> I know that with alcohol, it is easy to burn more btus preparing the 
> soil, growing the crop, harvesting and hauling, cooking down etc than
> the final output in btus. I suspect that biodiesel is better in terms
> of efficiency but is it capable of three or four times more output than
> input?
>
> And if so, what are the better crops?
>
> Thanks, Cal
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