Thermal depolymerization
 

Is it just a cool buzz word?

Is this the solution to the "oil problem"

What do you think?



http://www.mindfully.org/Energy/2003/Anything-Into-Oil1may03.htm

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

http://www.discover.com/issues/jul-04/features/anything-into-oil/

I thought that's what happens when you put your leisure suit in the dryer...

almost

Sure, a machine can turn any type of garbage into oil. Great.
But I bet you it takes 2-3 gallons of oil in energy to produce 1 gallon of garbage oil. What`s the point? The 350 hp grinder they need uses energy...Now, If they can run the whole process out of the grid with a generator that uses the oil they makes and still have some oil to sell afterwards, I say they got something.

Aurel

If the excess power produced and the cost of the equipment match reasonably well with commercial power, then sure, why not.

Re: Thermal depolymerization
 

Turkey oil?

Waste already has value and uses, good point - we need more garbage!

Is anyone else thinking "Back to the Future III"?

na... the plant uses its own fuel grade oil it produces to run the plant.

just couple it to the gererator

Reports from 2005 summarized some economic setbacks which the Carthage plant encountered since its planning stages. It was thought that concern over mad cow disease would prevent the use of turkey waste and other animal products as cattle feed, and thus this waste would be free. As it turns out, turkey waste may still be used as feed in the United States, so that the facility must purchase that feed stock at a cost of $30 to $40 per ton, adding $15 to $20 per barrel to the cost of the oil. Final cost, as of January 2005, was $80/barrel ($1.90/gal).

crude oil didnt even get this high. looks like we are going to have to wait on this stuff till it gets more efficient too.