PerpetualPlanet

I remain skeptical about the possibility of replacing much crude oil with biodiesel. As a way to use existing waste material it seems eco-effective. Anyone trying to dispose of the turkey-fry oil after Thanksgiving can see this makes sense. I still need to comprehend if the energy inputs for creating biological oils get an acceptable return in solar rays stored for future burning. In any case this company is making money on the reuse angle.

Renewable Environmental Solutions LLC is selling an equivalent of crude oil No. 4, produced from agricultural waste products. They are making producing 100-200 barrels of oil per day from the by-products from nearby, you guessed it, turkey processing facility. They claim their process is the first commercially viable method of reforming organic waste into a high-value energy resource. The oil being produced by RES is being sold to a local oil blender and to direct customers who use it as a heat source for their operations. At peak capacity, expected to be achieved by the end of 2004, the first-out plant will produce 500 barrels of oil per day, as well as natural gas, liquid and solid fertilizer, and solid carbon.

The key technology is Thermal Conversion Process, or TCP, which copies the geological and geothermal processes of nature. By-products are natural gas, fertizers and water. The plant has zero waste. Process thermal efficiency is 80%.

The company’s web site is circumspect about the profitability of the plant, saying that projections are being met and future plants of larger scale are planned. Giant corporation ConAgra is a partner in the venture.

Using above-ground organic waste streams to produce a new energy source reduces global warming by reducing the use of fossil fuels. It also contributes to energy independence.