Posted on 11/19/2012 8:52:08 AM PST by Baynative
I'm a global warming skeptic and I don't warm up quickly to all the fuzzy talk about farmers markets and community gardens. But, I ran across this on a blog and it got my interest right away.
I'm sorry to see all the non-profit and government grant garbage that we've been punished with too much lately. But, check out This Video of how the plant works. I'd like comments from people with knowledge of energy or indoor gardening as I am seriously interested in coping with the future heading our way.
47th and Ashland! Not the bestest of neighborhoods for being in on Thursday evening (payday).
The Unions will eff this thing up anyway.
I bet it makes no economic sense. Property taxes must be heck.
So, will those 125 (?) jobs be the new reduced hour jobs so that in reality they’re only providing 62 jobs? How much of my tax dollars will be wasted on this? How drunk will the fish become after eating the brewery waste?
On Doombsday Preppers, there was a family who was attempting to cycle like this. They filled their pool with tilapia and had goats and a garden in their backyard. Parts would work but I doubt an entire company could be totally self sufficient as they’d need a lot more room and sunlight for the brewery grains. Besides, didn’t the video say they would be bringing in outside waste.
Soylent Green Manufacturing. Probably gets government handouts.
Which Federal agency will run this operation?
What is the breakdown of Union jobs required to operate?
Planter’s Union
Waterer’s Union
Fertilizer Union (excess capacitiy there....)
Harvester Union
Packaging Union
Inspector Union
Loader’s Union
Trucker’s Union
etc....
I said I was disappointed in the non-profit and grant rubbish and I anticipated all the union and employment problems in Chicago. As a matter of fact, I put an alarm in my calendar to look back at this later and see if they suspend government intrusion to make this work. But, I’m honestly curious about the workability of the energy/production model.
I didn't see anything about paying jobs at the site. I DID see a link for volunteers and a donation link.
I don't think fish can get drunk. I know you can "drink like a fish" but I never heard anyone say "drunk like a fish". :O)
Those tomatoes strip mined in Fla are inedible. I think people would be willing to pay a premium for really fresh, really flavorful produce.
?
this might have more applications than just “green nazi” purposes. If it is viable it may be adapted to different environments. This might be able to be adapted to a moon base environment or other types of environments where you would need a closed loop system. I will be watching to see if this project is feesable and what the results are. thanks for the link
I get where you’re coming from!
There are a few things that I find fascinating about this whole idea. I’m wondering how small-scale you could take it down and still have it work.
I’m also wondering if the plants would grow in soil or with hydroponics.
I wish they had a better layout of the design.
Nevermind! I just found a lot of the answers to my questions!
Aquaponics...
The industrial tomatoe farms grow varietes bred for yeild and the ability to resist blemishes in shipping.
Flavor was not a consideration. Obviously.
The fly in the ointment with most of these systems is getting enough candlepower at a cost that won’t negate all the other advantages.
Is Darling and Co. still in operation?
If you’ve ever driven down Ashland when Darling’s rendering facility was still functional, you’d never forget the smell - that place by itself would’ve been able to supply all the waste organic material those folks would need to run their plant Plant.
I was scheduled to visit The Plant but was sick that day, those who took the tour came away pretty impressed.
Smart alec commenters on FR: this is a product of good science and engineering combined with innovation. Things “we” are supposed to cherish, not ridicule.
‘Take it to green’ means finishing the FReepathon.
I hope no one takes the post the wrong way.
I’ve seen working systems as small as a tabletop goldfish bowl. The smaller the system is, the less resiliant it tends to be, so keep that in mind if you decide to try it.
I’ve also seen setups that used animals other than fish. One guy had a small pool for his backyard duck flock, and by cycling the mucky water through a grow bed, he was able to keep it clean, where before he was having to dump the water every day. I’ve even seen pictures of some that were hooked into a house’s septic system. Needless to say, that person used it for non-food plants only!
Interesting idea. I wonder if this was hatched by the same people that had cat and rat ranch in Lacon, IL?
There was lots of talk about doing the gardening in Detroit where whole area’s have no houses left. The problem was the expense of removal of all the concrete and basements that would need filling. More concrete that viable land for planting....
Darling & Co. -- YIKES!!
I grew up one mile West of that place (on Western Blvd) and when the wind was from the East... watch out, close the windows fast, even in August. And this was before folks even had window AC units. Suffering the heat was better than 'that' smell.
And one of my biddies, an 'accountant' (Bookkeeper?) worked at Darling & Co. way back when For One Day! It was all he could stand.
Oh and no, Darling & Co has moved on. Long ago now, back in the '70's at least.
And contrary to what some might say, you NEVER 'get used to the smell'.
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