Posted on 02/22/2007 7:16:14 AM PST by Reeses
About a year ago, Paul McNees chose to change his life by changing his fuel.
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"I just couldn't justify filling up that tank with gasoline anymore for a multitude of reasons," said McNees, 43, citing global warming and the war in Iraq. "This has been great. It's totally cleaned out the engine. It runs great, has a lot more power. It sort of smells like french fries -- it doesn't have that noxious diesel smell."
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Nationally, biodiesel consumption is up sharply -- from 500,000 gallons in 1999 to more than 75 million gallons in 2005. In the Bay Area, the number of customers filling up at Berkeley's Biofuel Oasis -- one of the region's few public biodiesel stations -- has climbed from about 200 three years ago to about 1,800 today.
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Much of biodiesel's appeal stems from the fuel's ability to perform as well as petroleum diesel while emitting fewer exhaust materials that cause smog, particulate pollution and global warming. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, pure biodiesel emits 67 percent fewer unburned hydrocarbons, 48 percent less carbon monoxide and 47 percent fewer particulates but 10 percent more nitrogen oxides.
Yet, despite its benefits and growing popularity, biodiesel might not be the fuel of the future because, as demand grows, the amount of land needed to produce the oils could become untenable, experts say.
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Researchers are looking for more productive, and sustainable, sources of biofuel -- including algae. They're focusing primarily on four types of high-oil algae -- diatoms, green algae, blue-green algae and golden algae -- that could be cultivated in farms or ponds. Oils could be extracted using chemical solvents, enzymes, expeller presses, osmotic shock or ultrasonic shock waves.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
The engine in those klunky old whales is probably freshly rebuilt, but the actual vehicle they use is worn out and low tech.
Hot Rod magazine had a story where a guy made a new diesel Dodge Durango truck into a 200-mph speed machine that got 30mpg on the highway and had 700+ft/lbs of torque. If Biodiesel produced that kind of power, I'd actively cheer it on.
I will get back to you all when I find out if an eco-terrorist would key the paint on a biodiesel SUV or just stand there puzzled at a loss of what to do.
I own mineral firms, but no oil/gas at the monent. Also, I don't participate in the PFD since it is basically communist.
I looked up the 2006 PFD dividend. It's only $1106.96 during a high oil price time? Have the socialists raided the program and attached strings to the money? Is applying for it more trouble than it's worth?
Are you talking about biodiesel, or vegetable oil?
Most any diesel engine burns biodiesel just fine. Vegetable oil requires special conversion, and causes headaches with modern diesel engines (carbon deposition, etc.).
Oddly, the PFD is a managed fund only partly dependent on oil revenues, which are rapidly declining anyway. The State might have to start nicking the Permanent Fund next year to support the State budget.
How much power does Biodiesel fuel generate in the same engine compared to real petro diesel fuel? Is it like 60% power, or what?
I like diesel power. A couple years ago I had a ride in a Banks turbo F350 powerstroke and it just had insane power. A giant truck that would plant you back in your seat in low gear like a musclecar.
If greenie-hippies are making consumer headway in this sector, then more power to them. I am all for alternative energy to help get us out of the grips of the psychotic mohammedans. Nuclear, wind, geothermal, biodiesel, whatever. I like all of it.
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