[honway]

My second thought is that, even if this thing does work, you would almost certainly have to put a lot more energy into it than you could get out of it

I encourage you to read the entire article. This is not a hypothetical theory. There is an industrial size fully operational plant in Carthage, MO. Most of the energy required in the process is produced from the waste going in. How's 80% efficiency sound when your raw material is stuff headed for a landfill.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

Your 80% energy efficiency is being cautious if the article is correct - they say 85% in the article. They are using the gas generated in the process to provide the energy, they say.

I am a retired chemical engineer, having worked in the rubber industry for 40 years. I am reserving judgement on this while looking to see what else I might learn about the process. If anything in the article adds credibility, for me it is seeing that Warren Buffett's son is involved, representing ConAgra interests.

This certainly fuels the imagination! $15 a barrel for oil they say is equivalent to #2 heating oil calculates 36 cents a gallon (42 U.S. gal barrel). If this goes to $10 a barrel in the next 3 to 5 years this goes to 24 cents a gallon. If this all really works then the bigger, more serious problem is to find a way to keep the grubby paws of state and federal govt (tax) away from it! Note: #2 heating (fuel) oil will also work quite well for diesel engines.