2007-07-14 06:43:35 · 4 answers · asked by jim m 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The energy has to come from somewhere.
2007-07-14 19:47:00 · answer #1 · answered by ancient_nerd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cost of the process is definitely coming down, and for certain grades is already competitive with pumped petroleum, at least at the $70 per barrel level. The biggest disadvantage is that artificially made oils just don't offer the range of functions that natural petroleum does-fuel, plastic feedstock and so on, For further info, I'm copying the answer to your previously, related question:
Actually, this is a very good question. I've read several times about a pilot plant operation that renders organic waste into combustible oils and ash. The pilot plant was set up to use the many tons of turkey waste that had been going to a landfill every day. The process is a high temperature, high pressure reduction of the waste, with less than 25% of the recovered oils being used as process heat and for electricity generation. In other words, a self sustaining process, with a high oil yield and a huge volume reduction in landfill able waste. The last article I read was about a year ago, so I don't know if the process has progressed beyond the pilot plant stage or whether significant difficulties were encountered.
The only source I'm sure of is Popular Science, But I think I read about it in Scientific American as well
2007-07-14 16:14:24 · answer #2 · answered by jsa1962jsa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im sure they are working on it. It has probably been done already, the problem is the cost. It costs more to make it than it does to pump and refine the already made crude.
2007-07-14 13:52:16 · answer #3 · answered by Nemo the geek 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is it ? Would you please enlighten us Scientists and Engineers about this simple task which took Mother Nature 100 Million years ?
2007-07-14 13:49:53 · answer #4 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋