ethanol fuel production starts in Colombia

Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 31, 2005, 07:37:

Good story I hope some of the additional plants are owned by smaller businesses or co-ops, although I imagine finding capital is very difficult. Ardila Lulle has plenty of money already.



-Comrade Tinto

Rubiazo says on Oct 31, 2005, 10:44:

Hallelujah! That is the best news I have ever heard on this forum.
In a couple of years Bogota's air might be breathable again from the first time in how long!!

adrimm says on Oct 31, 2005, 10:47:

A while longer Rubz "mixture of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline"

I think that most hybrid engines can top the 10% decrease in gasoline use. However that is not to say that this could be vital first step to improving ethanol mix-technology so it does begin to have more significant effects. It also is a great example for other cities (just like dia sin carros).

kernow62 says on Oct 31, 2005, 10:50:

The nice thing about this is that it is a renewable form of energy.

Hunter says on Oct 31, 2005, 11:34:

adrimm The present generation of hybrid cars still use gasoline, it will just be 10% less gasoline.

This is just one of many projects I read about, but the others are not in Colombia, but many other Countries have plans that are just starting or coming on line.

Hunter

ARMacleod says on Oct 31, 2005, 12:22:

Ethanol (alcohol) This is just one of the possibilities. My car can be converted to run on alternative fuels quite cheaply.

The agricultural industry in the UK is in the doldrums with farmers getting huge subsidies for leaving their fields fallow. (EEC obligation). These fields could be turned to the production of rape seed oil and all the other kinds of plants that can be used to produce fuel.

It will not happen! The government needs the revenue and a justification to go to war for oil?
Am I wrong?........... possibly, but.. Can anyone tell me why, and justify their answer?

International politics is just another splinter in my ass as I slide down the banister of life.

My stated facts, although interesting at times, are generally irrevelant.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

Hunter says on Oct 31, 2005, 12:38:

ARMacleod The UK and other European Countries, have been using rape oil seed for quite a while, but has not been on a large scale, because it is not economic to manufacture, compared to the price of a barrel of oil. Much the same as ethanol or palm tree oil and other options.

But as prices rise and stay higher ( I don't expect them to stay quite as high as they are at the moment though), many alternate fuel becomes economic. So sooner or later rape seed oil will be used on a larger scale for the helping of running car engines or other things.

As to the goverment needing the revenue off oil, so they won't do it, not really true, if their revenues reduce on gasoline/oil, they will tax something else, thats the way it works, they tax popular things, because they can raise more revenue, oil has only really been abundant in the 20 Century before that they taxed other things as they still do, once its gone they will choose something else.

Hunter

kernow62 says on Oct 31, 2005, 12:59:

Oh the site of a field of yellow rape seed fields, what a joy to behold.

kernow62 says on Oct 31, 2005, 17:03:

What about kudzu, it sure grows quickly and you can't destroy it, it needs no soil enhancements of any kind.

adrimm says on Oct 31, 2005, 17:12:

Kudzu? Never heard of it, is it used for any other agricultural reasons?

Halliday says on Oct 31, 2005, 19:21:

details Does anyone know what the criteria are for determining a good crop to produce ethenol? I know you can make it from pretty much anything... but all biomass is not created equal.

Halliday says on Oct 31, 2005, 19:24:

Re: Kudzu? Kudzu is a non-native plant imported into the US durring the "dust bowl" era to control soil erosion. It has since taken over much of the southern region of the US, much to the dismay of farmers. By some accounts, under perfect growing conditions the vine can grow a foot per day.

kernow62 says on Oct 31, 2005, 20:19:

I can tell you what perfect conditions are, Florida weather!

You can literally go on holiday for a month and come back to find your home covered in the stuff. I took a photograph of an airstream trailer that was completely covered while the owners were away. I wish I could find the photo to share with everyone.

Adrimm, Kudzu actually does have some uses, see here. http://www.cptr.ua.edu/kudzu/

If it would grow in the same conditions as coca, I can think of a possible use for Kudzu.

ARMacleod says on Nov 1, 2005, 00:32:

Kudzu? I thought I was reasonably well travelled and informed but I have never heard of such a plant. Is it for real?

By the write ups, it sounds like a life saver for some remote areas, i.e. Sahara and similar.

Deuterium which is found in sea water has the power to keep the world supplied with energy ad infinitum, check it out, the JET project. (Joint European Taurus) = A nuclear powered Merc and you only need to fill up once?

I am going to enjoy the luxury of the future, the downside is that I will probably have to wait another fifty years to reap the benefit. And assuming that Iran has not been the cause of the obliteration of mankind.

Here we go again!


My stated facts, although interesting at times, are generally irrevelant.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

umm says on Nov 1, 2005, 00:51:

Good to hear. At least something is happening to improve the life of the people.
There is not a lot of technology in Colombia, but I hope that situation can be changed soon.
Why should China and Malaysia and... be able to develop reasonable and not Colombia, too? Colombia has got so many resources, but noone is making someting out of them. Its only always about the quick buck, drugs or gold or esmeraldas.
UMM

UMM

My Forum

kernow62 says on Nov 1, 2005, 04:44:

Umm, I think you hit the nail on the head, "the quick buck". Asians in particular tend to think long term. They will plant the seeds knowing that it might be their great grandchildren that might reap the fruits. The business plan is not what next quarter's profits will be but what the growth will be like in 500 years!