Posted on 04/21/2008 1:14:28 PM PDT by VLDdeSan
Say it ain't so!
Some landfills are currently tapped for methane (microbes are converting biomass into gas). Some vehicles have been converted to burn natural gas.
Corn (a grass) and switchgrass are being fermented by microbes into ethanol.
The process is not new.
yitbos
I’m not opposing capturing some waste energy, but the idea that energy from biomass is a feasible strategy for supplying our energy requirements is a dead end.
Haiti and Madagascar were too impatient and burned 90% of their biomass. They just needed to wait a few hunnert million years.
yitbos
There are many replies to my post, some are very negative, most at least hopeful if not wary.
I am replying to you because I think you would be interested to know that according to J.C. Bell they have developed specialized, genetically altered bacteria that can produce at a cost of $35 to $40 a barrel.
Also keep in mind that his process has already been presented to the Department of Defense, generating strong interest. According to reports DOD offered to directly support his efforts. He declined because there were too many strings attached to the money.
Here is a quote from an office in Washington after the presentation:
“Pamela Serino, Chief of the Department of Defense Energy Support Center at Fort Belvoir, Va., said she was very excited about Bells technology. The DOD Energy Support Center is the energy purchasing arm of the defense logistics agency, Serino said. She said she became acquainted with Bell when he met with a senator about his hydrocarbon research. We give support to the Hill, she said. When he was briefing the senator, we were there to see if his technology was viable. Serino said her job was to question the science behind the technology. It looks good to me, she said.
Serino said she envisions a near future where we have multiple regional energy sources. She said the growth in China and India makes the work in bio-energy more critical.”
I really think this is serious, VERY serious. Bell also says that he has a range of specialized bacteria that will produce gasoline and diesel fuel without the need for further processing.
Yes, wood, etc. are poor sources of fuel. Which is partially why underdeveloped countries are low power. The further the energy source gets from the biosphere, the more powerful they become.
Not to mention environmental damage.
Bush 41 is shouting, "Use that damn broccoli for oil!
Bill Clinton is asking, "Does that include a growing erection?"
Hillary Clinton is answering, "Yes! Yes! Hell, Yes!!!"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.