[TheForge] OT biodiesel

[Justin Fellenz]

Yeah, Ries, I suspect you're right on the large scale. As someone else
pointed out, sometimes it takes more energy and money to make the fuel
than it generates. I have heard, though, that for the small-timer it
can be done somewhat economically and easily. I'm just looking to run
my tractor and maybe a truck. Haven't had a chance to look at the plans
to see if it's feasible.

JRF
--- Ries Niemi <rniemi at fidalgo.net> wrote:
> 
> I gotta say, I am suspicious of this whole biodiesel thing-
> As far as french fry oil, I cant imagine there is enough used cooking
> 
> oil in the average town to supply 1/100th of a percent of the current
> 
> diesel fuel consumption.
> So for a few guys who feel like spending lots of time instead of
> money, 
> french fry oil will work- but it sure isnt a solution to oil 
> consumption.
> 
> And from what I have read, at current prices, it costs more to make 
> biodiesel from plant material like corn than it does to buy diesel
> fuel 
> from refineries.
> There are only two reasons so many biodiesel refining plants are
> being 
> built- government subsidies, which means we all pay extra so some 
> farmers can burn more diesel to farm, and scams- it seems there is a 
> company in Minnesota that develops and builds biodiesel refining 
> plants-- using NONE of their own money- they go into a town, convince
> 
> all the local farmers to mortgage their farms and houses to become 
> "investors" in this big growth industry, then they pay themselves to 
> build and manage what are money losing businesses. Once a critical
> mass 
> of farmers and locals have their futures tied up in these plants,
> they 
> start to lobby the state government to REQUIRE biodiesel for many
> state 
> vehicles, give it tax breaks, etc.
> There are currently something like 50 of these plants either built or
> 
> under construction in the midwest, and not a single one of them was 
> built by big business- kinda makes you think somebody knows
> something. 
> Well, I heard Archer Daniels Midland did build one or two, but
> totally 
> paid for by government grants- none of their own money on the line.
> 
> If all the gas and oil was used up, then biodiesel would make sense
> as 
> an alternative, but right now, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors 
> around this one- its kind of like the 150mpg carburetors.
> 
> ries
> 
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