Can human fat be used as an alternative fuel?

Question

It is well know that America is one of the fatest nations on Earth, so why not set up lipo-centers to take "fat donations" and then use it for fuel? I see a win-win situation here, people with unwanted fat get it sucked out at no fee, and we reduce our dependence on oil.

So, possible reality or just wishfull thinking?

Answer 1

Fat is commonly used to power vehicles. No need for the lipo.Ever heard of a bicycle.

A reasonably fit person can cover around twenty miles in an hour on a standard bicycle powered mostly by fat. Often in peak hour this is quicker than a motor vehicle. Bicycle commuters traveling up to 25 miles each way are not as uncommon as you might think.

The current human powered speed record is 130.36 km/h (81.00 mph), set by Sam Whittingham of Canada on a fully faired Varna Diablo front-wheel-drive recumbent lowracer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recumbent_bicycle

Over in the cycling section we get people weighing over 230 kg (500 lb) interested in burning fat for transport. (And there are bikes that will carry them)

But then for most people it would probably be easier to get them to line up for lipo than to get them to exercise.

Answer 2

I'm all for that! And yes heated hot enough, liquid fat can burn just like diesel fuel can. Fat = Energy. This is exactly why our body keeps it. Some people would make out like bandits if they could keep their own "fuel". Ever seen those very, very big people get out of a very little car like a geo metro and the thing goes from being a low rider to regular size as soon as the get out. They could drive for 2-3 years for free because cutting all that "weight" means the car can get 40-50 mpg again instead of 25 mpg! So it helps 2 ways. Good Thinking!

Answer 3

At first the thought is a little morbid but it is a realistic idea. I am sure there are plenty of willing donors out there, but after a few years when we are all skinny, what will we do then?

Will we have literal "fat farms" where we fatten up people to feed the need for fuel?

Sounds kinda sick, but you have a very good question there!

Answer 4

Better yet, serve it as a high protein snack. Think of the cows we wouldn't need. People have complained about whaling for years, could lipo fat be a renewable alternative to whale oil?

Answer 5

Human "fat" is about the same as animal fat.
Those looking for a solution to rising gasoline prices may need to look no further than the bottom of the deep fryer at their favorite fast-food restaurants.

California-based company BiOil plans to use trans fat from fast-food restaurants as a more eco-friendly energy source for automobiles by using biodiesel fuel.

According to the Web site for the National Biodiesel Board, biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable sources.

Biodiesel fuel gives off fewer emissions than those of petroleum-run automobiles, leading to greater sustainability for the environment.

The fuel can also be formed from renewable resources such as soybeans.

Though using the same type of fuel the body burns in cars may not seem entirely logical, researchers say the process by which the fuel is burned is different for a human than a motor vehicle.

"Your body is basically an internal combustion engine of a different sort," said Dorothy Blair, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at Penn State.

"We use the chemical energy imbedded in carbon-hydrogen bonds to make energy for useful work, with the aid of enzyme systems,"she said.

She said the kind of energy a car or a wood stove would burn uses different types of combustion to produce energy than the human body, but they both create heat and energy.

Tyson Foods Inc. developed a renewable fuel division last year, harvesting 2.3 billion pounds of chicken, hog and animal fat from its operations. The fat that is hervested could be converted into 300 million gallons of fuel, according to a company statement on CNET News.

"In the U.S. last year, only 150 million gallons of biodiesel were produced while Americans consumed 62 billion gallons of regular diesel," the CNET Web site said.

While using biodiesel may seem like the sensible solution to conserving the environment, there are some disadvantages to fueling up with trans fat.

In extreme cold, biodiesel has a tendency to gel in the fuel tank and cause the filter to plug, the National Biodiesel Board Web site said.

Another problem with the fuel is that it has a shelf life of no more than six months.

Although there are some issues with using biodiesel, customers should consider alternative uses for their fast-food leftovers, Blair said.

"I think it is a lot better to use the spent oil than put it in a land fill," she said.

Answer 6

Too expensive to carve it off a little at a time, so not a great source of fuel. But if the hairless apes didn't eat so much they might be efficiently harvested for food.

Answer 7

Considering the quantity of overweight Americans I think you may just have solved the oil crisis. Bush now has a reason to start a "War on Fat People", so he can "liberate" them of their fat.

Answer 8

It could, until you add in surgeon's fees. Then it's like burning gold. But it'd never be practical. How far do you think you'd get on say, 10 lbs of fat? And how long before you could do it again?

Answer 9

Why don't we just build FREE gyms in every city in the United States of America and connect some of the devices to the electric grid.

In fact, let's make this a job.

You go to the gym and you get paid 50% of the electricity you produce.

I presume you know what is a dynamo.

Answer 10

they say thats what the elves burn on thier torches.
heh, heh.
unfortunately while it may look like a really lot of fat its snot enough
and U cant safely take that much at a time.

and the cost of production is too high AND TOO MUCH ON THE ENVIRON..
the toxic gases that goes with it alone... yikes