When people talk about off-roading and how much fun it is, it's highly likely that you'll also hear them mentioning the famed Jeep in the same breath, as Jeep is world-renowned for its mud-plugging potential.
Now the iconic off-roader comes in an even more fun package, not to mention a survivalist gear that's guaranteed to make any zealous outdoorsman jump with glee.
EarthRoamer Xpedition Vehicles, says its website, are designed to travel to four-wheel drive accessible, remote locations and provide a comfortable year-round camping experience without dependence on external power or utility hook ups.
EarthRoamer has recently introduced a tweaked Wrangler - one that will definitely be the object of desire for off-road enthusiast yet. The XV-JP comes equipped with the usual upgraded suspension, winch, high-intensity lighting and other necessities for a serious off-road excursion, but there's more. There's also the complete camping setup, including a tent mounted atop the roof offering users three different material choices to match the elements, along with a queen-size bed, a solar power battery backup, an engine-heated hot water tank and a cassette toilet. Now that makes for a dream camper, doesn't it?
Here are more details from the company's website (www.earthroamer.com/):
EarthRoamer XV-JP
The Jeep Rubicon Unlimited based EarthRoamer XV-JP is designed to carry two adults on technical four-wheel drive trails to remote camping locations. Once in camp, the XV-JP's Loftop™ can be deployed to provide nearly 9 feet of interior stand up height and a queen-size bed in the loft. Underneath the cantilevered loft, the rear tent can be dropped down for an additional bug free living space. The XV-JP comes equipped with 25 gallons of fresh water capacity, an inside cassette toilet, inside shower, sink and cooking facilities. Plenty of light and ventilation is provided by an abundance of screened windows. An electric fan provides additional ventilation when needed and the forced air furnace will keep you cozy on cold nights and when winter camping.
About EarthRoamer The company says its website, places high importance in preserving the environment for generations to come. This is the primary reason why they design renewable energy sources like solar and biodiesel into their systems. All of their vehicles utilize solar energy as a primary power source for lights and appliances.
About Jeep Jeep is an automobile marque (and registered trademark) of DaimlerChrysler. The marque, like all other Chrysler subsidiaries, became part of DaimlerChrysler when Daimler-Benz merged with the Chrysler Corporation in 1998. Jeep is also maker of top of the line Jeep parts like the Jeep catalytic converter.
About the Author
Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
McDonalds UK Shows Mother-Nature Love with Biodiesel for its Delivery Vans by Rain Stockton
In the old days it used to be that you just drove your Nissan Sentra and perhaps its brand new Nissan Sentra parts over to McDonalds to get some of those yummy French fries and Mcburgers.
Now can you imagine getting your car fueled in McDonalds? How about a fuel pump sticking out the drive thru window to gas up your car?
No? Maybe literally these scenarios are far-fetched, but, to get fuel to power your car from the world-famous food chain's kitchen isn't as remote a possibility as you think.
In the UK just recently, McDonalds has announced that it will be converting all of its UK delivery vans to run on cooking oil-based biodiesel. This means that aside from getting to enjoy that delicious smell of double cheeseburger 'n' fries as a delivery truck drives by our British friends can do so rest assured that the truck may be carrying sinful food but it isn't at least, making the dreadful environmental transgression we call pollution.
So how does it work?
According to a report by Topgear, once the oil has been used to make your Freedom Fries turn into a tasty state of crispiness, it'll be combined with rapeseed oil to power McDonald's 155 Lorries, saving some 1,650 tonnes of carbon each year. Which is something, if you think about all the folks calling for delivery everyday, right?
Here in our shores, we are also not lacking in environmentally-sound burger-delivering companies. In 2006 it was reported that Burgerville, a Vancouver, WA-based "fast casual" restaurant chain, has begun converting its used cooking oil into biodiesel. Through an agreement with Portland company MRP Services, the used oil is picked up and transported to a processing plant where it is converted to biodiesel.
Before the two companies arranged to do good for Mother Nature, the oil was shipped to Asia and typically used in the creation of cosmetics and soap.
This isn't the first foray into sustainable business practices for Burgerville though. Last August, the company announced it would pay for its electricity by purchasing wind power, a move that saved a staggering 17.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being released to the region annually.
About Biodiesel Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. (source: http://www.biodiesel.org/)
About the Author
Rain Stockton is an engineer by profession. He is a motorsports fanatic, especially F1 and NASCAR. He seldom fails to attend major car racing events. A frustrated race car driver, he spends some of his free time working in one of the largest automotive shops in Indianapolis.
Now can you imagine getting your car fueled in McDonalds? How about a fuel pump sticking out the drive thru window to gas up your car?
No? Maybe literally these scenarios are far-fetched, but, to get fuel to power your car from the world-famous food chain's kitchen isn't as remote a possibility as you think.
In the UK just recently, McDonalds has announced that it will be converting all of its UK delivery vans to run on cooking oil-based biodiesel. This means that aside from getting to enjoy that delicious smell of double cheeseburger 'n' fries as a delivery truck drives by our British friends can do so rest assured that the truck may be carrying sinful food but it isn't at least, making the dreadful environmental transgression we call pollution.
So how does it work?
According to a report by Topgear, once the oil has been used to make your Freedom Fries turn into a tasty state of crispiness, it'll be combined with rapeseed oil to power McDonald's 155 Lorries, saving some 1,650 tonnes of carbon each year. Which is something, if you think about all the folks calling for delivery everyday, right?
Here in our shores, we are also not lacking in environmentally-sound burger-delivering companies. In 2006 it was reported that Burgerville, a Vancouver, WA-based "fast casual" restaurant chain, has begun converting its used cooking oil into biodiesel. Through an agreement with Portland company MRP Services, the used oil is picked up and transported to a processing plant where it is converted to biodiesel.
Before the two companies arranged to do good for Mother Nature, the oil was shipped to Asia and typically used in the creation of cosmetics and soap.
This isn't the first foray into sustainable business practices for Burgerville though. Last August, the company announced it would pay for its electricity by purchasing wind power, a move that saved a staggering 17.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being released to the region annually.
About Biodiesel Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. (source: http://www.biodiesel.org/)
About the Author
Rain Stockton is an engineer by profession. He is a motorsports fanatic, especially F1 and NASCAR. He seldom fails to attend major car racing events. A frustrated race car driver, he spends some of his free time working in one of the largest automotive shops in Indianapolis.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
How compatible are ethanol and biodiesel? by Malc Baxter
To understand the relationship between ethanol and biodiesel correctly, you must in the first instance learn about them independently, only then will you be able to fully understand the connection that is between these two biofuels. Ethanol and biodiesel are very similar in many ways, so they should both be taken into consideration as an alternative to fossil fuel.
So what is ethanol?
Ethanol is a mildly toxic,flammable and colorless mixture of chemicals with a very noticeable perfume like smell, it is also the same type of alcohol that you will find in your nice cool beer, however, it is simply referred to as alcohol.
Ethanol has been used by humans as far back as when the dinosaurs were on the planet, and even though it has been used for more negative reasons, such as explosives because of its volatile nature, it has also been though of as positive when made into alcohol drinks and other products. Ethanol has also been used as an essence to help illness for many thousands of years, and so this is also recognized as being a positive use.
Another point to consider is, ethanol is the fuel which is at present being considered to replace fossil fuels, this is a very important topic, particularly when we consider that we are in a crazy war with Iraq and this is a country where we get most of our fuel from.
So what is biodiesel?
A fuel that is being considered as a replacement for diesel, is biodiesel. This is fuel that is made from crops like corn, oilseed and sugar beet. Both ethanol and biodiesel are mixed with fossil diesel and gasoline in order for older cars to be able to run on it, however some of the newer car designs are able to run on biofuel with just a few small modifications.
Because of consumers lack of understanding with regard to ethanol and biodiesel, they are not convinced that using this fuel is the right way to go as a alternative to fossil fuel. Although it has to be said that this is starting to change in the US and in the world at large.
Ethanol and biodiesel relationship:
There are many important things to question when pondering the relationship of ethanol and biodiesel, one thing for sure though is they seem to be the main two options when looking at creating a cleaner environment. Ethanol is seen as the better option my many people at this time. However, the biodiesel option should be looked at very carefully because it also as many benefits to offer the alternative fuel debate.
Biofuel production is benefiting the US farming community by putting millions of dollars into the industry, therefore this should be taken into account as well.
About the Author
www.ecoholistic.com for articles, tips and more information about ethanol and biodiesel.
For more about ethanol and biodiesel
So what is ethanol?
Ethanol is a mildly toxic,flammable and colorless mixture of chemicals with a very noticeable perfume like smell, it is also the same type of alcohol that you will find in your nice cool beer, however, it is simply referred to as alcohol.
Ethanol has been used by humans as far back as when the dinosaurs were on the planet, and even though it has been used for more negative reasons, such as explosives because of its volatile nature, it has also been though of as positive when made into alcohol drinks and other products. Ethanol has also been used as an essence to help illness for many thousands of years, and so this is also recognized as being a positive use.
Another point to consider is, ethanol is the fuel which is at present being considered to replace fossil fuels, this is a very important topic, particularly when we consider that we are in a crazy war with Iraq and this is a country where we get most of our fuel from.
So what is biodiesel?
A fuel that is being considered as a replacement for diesel, is biodiesel. This is fuel that is made from crops like corn, oilseed and sugar beet. Both ethanol and biodiesel are mixed with fossil diesel and gasoline in order for older cars to be able to run on it, however some of the newer car designs are able to run on biofuel with just a few small modifications.
Because of consumers lack of understanding with regard to ethanol and biodiesel, they are not convinced that using this fuel is the right way to go as a alternative to fossil fuel. Although it has to be said that this is starting to change in the US and in the world at large.
Ethanol and biodiesel relationship:
There are many important things to question when pondering the relationship of ethanol and biodiesel, one thing for sure though is they seem to be the main two options when looking at creating a cleaner environment. Ethanol is seen as the better option my many people at this time. However, the biodiesel option should be looked at very carefully because it also as many benefits to offer the alternative fuel debate.
Biofuel production is benefiting the US farming community by putting millions of dollars into the industry, therefore this should be taken into account as well.
About the Author
www.ecoholistic.com for articles, tips and more information about ethanol and biodiesel.
For more about ethanol and biodiesel
Aura Green Line Added To 3 Federal Fleets In Kansas by Anthony Fontanelle
Three Kansas City area federal agencies added Monday the new 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid vehicles to their fleets. Two vehicles were delivered by the federal General Services Administration (GSA) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 office in Kansas City, Kan. One is for EPA and one for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in Kansas City, Mo. A third will be added to the GSA fleet in Kansas City, Mo.
Regional Administrator for the NHTSA's Central Region Romell Cooks received the keys to a new Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid. "While safety of the motoring public is a key concern of the NHTSA, we are equally concerned about the fuel efficiency of our passenger cars and light trucks," Cooks said. "These types of vehicles will make a difference."
GSA ordered fifty Saturn Aura Green Line vehicles this year to be delivered nationwide. The Saturn Aura Green Line hybrids are assembled at the General Motor Corp.'s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan. The Aura Green Line is a mild hybrid, following the VUE Green Line as the second vehicle in Saturn's lineup incorporating GM's belt alternator starter system.
Same with the Vue, the Aura Green Line features the 2.4L Ecotec engine mated to an electric motor or generator and the 4T45-E four-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is rated at 164 horsepower and 159 pound feet of torque. The electric motor or generator bolsters the gasoline engine during launch and under wide-open throttle.
The Saturn Aura Green Line also flaunts trusted auto parts from the automaker such as the Saturn clutch kit, body parts, filters, spark plugs, radiators, cold air intake and more. The hybrid has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, which the automaker claims is up to a 30 percent improvement over the Aura XE. The Saturn Aura Green Line is eligible for a $1300 US Federal tax credit, as well as several state tax credits. The hybrid has been on sale since late March this year.
The Green Line is a variant of Saturn Aura. The Aura is a crucial product line for both Saturn and General Motors. Its production is part of a product rejuvenation for Saturn to push the company into the black at the same time to compete tightly with European imports. So far, feedback to the Aura has been positive, both in terms of sales and reviews.
Executive Order 13423, signed by President Bush in January, compels federal agencies to raise alternative fuel use by ten percent annually. GSA's fleet management division has delivered 3,581 bi-fuel and 20 biodiesel vehicles to regional federal agencies. Executive Order 13423 is aimed at strengthening federal environmental, energy, and transportation management of the nation.
EPA Region 7 Administrator John Askew accepted the vehicle for the environmental agency. Askew said, "Using fuel efficient vehicles like the Saturn hybrid we're receiving today just makes sense. Not only does it protect the environment by reducing emissions, but using less fuel strengthens our energy security."
GSA Heartland Region Administrator Bradley Scott said, "GSA is proud to join EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as government leaders in using and supporting environmentally friendly vehicles, and we look forward to providing energy efficient vehicles and alternative fuel-use cars to more federal agencies in the future."
Executive Order 13423 also directs federal agencies with more than 20 motor vehicles to reduce petroleum consumption by two percent annually through 2015. The Saturn Aura's estimated fuel mileage is 35 miles per gallon. With the alarming global warming concerns, lawmakers and automakers are enduring the burden.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Regional Administrator for the NHTSA's Central Region Romell Cooks received the keys to a new Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid. "While safety of the motoring public is a key concern of the NHTSA, we are equally concerned about the fuel efficiency of our passenger cars and light trucks," Cooks said. "These types of vehicles will make a difference."
GSA ordered fifty Saturn Aura Green Line vehicles this year to be delivered nationwide. The Saturn Aura Green Line hybrids are assembled at the General Motor Corp.'s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan. The Aura Green Line is a mild hybrid, following the VUE Green Line as the second vehicle in Saturn's lineup incorporating GM's belt alternator starter system.
Same with the Vue, the Aura Green Line features the 2.4L Ecotec engine mated to an electric motor or generator and the 4T45-E four-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is rated at 164 horsepower and 159 pound feet of torque. The electric motor or generator bolsters the gasoline engine during launch and under wide-open throttle.
The Saturn Aura Green Line also flaunts trusted auto parts from the automaker such as the Saturn clutch kit, body parts, filters, spark plugs, radiators, cold air intake and more. The hybrid has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, which the automaker claims is up to a 30 percent improvement over the Aura XE. The Saturn Aura Green Line is eligible for a $1300 US Federal tax credit, as well as several state tax credits. The hybrid has been on sale since late March this year.
The Green Line is a variant of Saturn Aura. The Aura is a crucial product line for both Saturn and General Motors. Its production is part of a product rejuvenation for Saturn to push the company into the black at the same time to compete tightly with European imports. So far, feedback to the Aura has been positive, both in terms of sales and reviews.
Executive Order 13423, signed by President Bush in January, compels federal agencies to raise alternative fuel use by ten percent annually. GSA's fleet management division has delivered 3,581 bi-fuel and 20 biodiesel vehicles to regional federal agencies. Executive Order 13423 is aimed at strengthening federal environmental, energy, and transportation management of the nation.
EPA Region 7 Administrator John Askew accepted the vehicle for the environmental agency. Askew said, "Using fuel efficient vehicles like the Saturn hybrid we're receiving today just makes sense. Not only does it protect the environment by reducing emissions, but using less fuel strengthens our energy security."
GSA Heartland Region Administrator Bradley Scott said, "GSA is proud to join EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as government leaders in using and supporting environmentally friendly vehicles, and we look forward to providing energy efficient vehicles and alternative fuel-use cars to more federal agencies in the future."
Executive Order 13423 also directs federal agencies with more than 20 motor vehicles to reduce petroleum consumption by two percent annually through 2015. The Saturn Aura's estimated fuel mileage is 35 miles per gallon. With the alarming global warming concerns, lawmakers and automakers are enduring the burden.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Federal Agencies Expands Hybrid Fleet by Anthony Fontanelle
Three federal agencies in Kansas recently added hybrid vehicles to their fleet. The hybrid vehicles included in the fleet of the federal agencies are the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line vehicles. Two units of the hybrid car were already delivered to different federal agencies in Kansas.
Two units of the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line were delivered by the General Services Administration (GSA) to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 in Kansas City, Kansas. One of these will be used by the EPA while the other is for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) office in Kansas City, Missouri. The third vehicle will be delivered to the GSA fleet in Kansas City, Mo.
Romell Cooks, the regional administrator for the NHTSA's Central Region, was given the keys to the hybrid Aura. "While safety of the motoring public is a key concern of the NHTSA, we are equally concerned about the fuel efficiency of our passenger cars and light trucks," said Cooks. "These types of vehicles will make a difference."
Aside from the three hybrid vehicles, the GSA has ordered 50 units in all of the Saturn Aura Green Line. The vehicles will be delivered by GSA to different federal agencies across the country. The Aura Green Line became an obvious choice for the federal agencies in Kansas City Kansas due to the fact that these vehicles were built in General Motors' assembly facility in Kansas City, Kansas.
The deliveries of the hybrid vehicles is in connection with the Executive Order 13423 signed by President George Bush which mandates federal agencies to increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles on their fleet by ten percent every year. To date, GSA's fleet management division has already delivered 3,581 units of alternative fuel vehicles and 20 biodiesel vehicles to federal agencies.
Administrator John Askew accepted the keys to the Saturn center shoulder seatbelt-equipped Aura Green Line for EPA Region 7. Askew has this to say after receiving the hybrid car: "Using fuel efficient vehicles like the Saturn hybrid we're receiving today just makes sense. Not only does it protect the environment by reducing emissions, but using less fuel strengthens our energy security."
Meanwhile, GSA's Heartland Region Administrator Bradley M. Scott has this to say: "GSA is proud to join EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as government leaders in using and supporting environmentally friendly vehicles, and we look forward to providing energy efficient vehicles and alternative fuel-use cars to more federal agencies in the future."
Aside from mandating a ten percent increase in alternative fuel vehicle use, the Executive Order also directs federal agencies across the country with more than 20 motor vehicles to reduce petroleum fuel consumption by as much as two percent every year. The directive will stand until the year 2015.
The Aura Green Line is the hybrid version of the current North American Car of the Year. The Saturn Auras delivered by GSA to the three federal agencies are seen as a good step for the government to take in the present situation. Environmentalists have been lobbying for the widespread use of alternative fuel vehicles because these vehicles are more environment friendly than conventional vehicles which run on petroleum fuels. The Saturn Aura Green Line, according to General Motors, has a fuel mileage of 35 miles per gallon. That figure means that federal agencies will be consuming less fuel as compared to none-hybrid vehicles.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Two units of the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line were delivered by the General Services Administration (GSA) to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 in Kansas City, Kansas. One of these will be used by the EPA while the other is for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) office in Kansas City, Missouri. The third vehicle will be delivered to the GSA fleet in Kansas City, Mo.
Romell Cooks, the regional administrator for the NHTSA's Central Region, was given the keys to the hybrid Aura. "While safety of the motoring public is a key concern of the NHTSA, we are equally concerned about the fuel efficiency of our passenger cars and light trucks," said Cooks. "These types of vehicles will make a difference."
Aside from the three hybrid vehicles, the GSA has ordered 50 units in all of the Saturn Aura Green Line. The vehicles will be delivered by GSA to different federal agencies across the country. The Aura Green Line became an obvious choice for the federal agencies in Kansas City Kansas due to the fact that these vehicles were built in General Motors' assembly facility in Kansas City, Kansas.
The deliveries of the hybrid vehicles is in connection with the Executive Order 13423 signed by President George Bush which mandates federal agencies to increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles on their fleet by ten percent every year. To date, GSA's fleet management division has already delivered 3,581 units of alternative fuel vehicles and 20 biodiesel vehicles to federal agencies.
Administrator John Askew accepted the keys to the Saturn center shoulder seatbelt-equipped Aura Green Line for EPA Region 7. Askew has this to say after receiving the hybrid car: "Using fuel efficient vehicles like the Saturn hybrid we're receiving today just makes sense. Not only does it protect the environment by reducing emissions, but using less fuel strengthens our energy security."
Meanwhile, GSA's Heartland Region Administrator Bradley M. Scott has this to say: "GSA is proud to join EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as government leaders in using and supporting environmentally friendly vehicles, and we look forward to providing energy efficient vehicles and alternative fuel-use cars to more federal agencies in the future."
Aside from mandating a ten percent increase in alternative fuel vehicle use, the Executive Order also directs federal agencies across the country with more than 20 motor vehicles to reduce petroleum fuel consumption by as much as two percent every year. The directive will stand until the year 2015.
The Aura Green Line is the hybrid version of the current North American Car of the Year. The Saturn Auras delivered by GSA to the three federal agencies are seen as a good step for the government to take in the present situation. Environmentalists have been lobbying for the widespread use of alternative fuel vehicles because these vehicles are more environment friendly than conventional vehicles which run on petroleum fuels. The Saturn Aura Green Line, according to General Motors, has a fuel mileage of 35 miles per gallon. That figure means that federal agencies will be consuming less fuel as compared to none-hybrid vehicles.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
The Biomass Program and Possibilities for the Future by C. Ozcan
Researchers are working on new technology that will be able to do hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass to sugars and lignins and also the thermochemical conversion of biomass to synthesis gas for fermentation and catalysis of these platform chemicals to produce slates of biopolymers and fuels. To expand the role of biomass in America's future, the DOE Office of the Biomass Program fosters biomass technologies with a balanced portfolio of research and development. the following graphic shows the technology and anticipated process that the Biomass Program is concentrating on.
Biomass Feedstocks
The feedstocks are essentially the plant and plant-based material that are used to produce biomass energy. Currently, this consists mostly of easily processed agricultural crops and low- or negative-cost industrial residues. Future plans focus more on the use of agricultural and forestry residues. These can be used not just for power, but also for production of fuel, chemicals, and materials. Research is being done now to improve the collection, transportation and harvesting of these residues. It is estimated that there is about 512 million dry tons of biomass that is now available for less than $50 per dry ton. One of the major problems, however, is collecting and transporting the biomass. U.S. scientists are focusing on solving these problems with current and planned research. These feedstocks are then converted into either sugars or thermochemicals.
Sugar and Thermochemical Platforms
Most plant material is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The U.S. Department of Energy's Biomass Program is at the forefront of a national effort to develop technology to break cellulose and hemicellulose down into their component sugars. Anticipated biorefineries will then be able to biologically process these sugars to fuel ethanol or other building block chemicals. Lignin can either be burned to provide process heat and electricity or can itself be converted to fuels and chemicals.
Possibly the oldest way of converting biomass to energy was burning wood. Unfortunately burning wood is not very efficient. If this solid biomass is converted to liquid or gas before combustion, the process becomes much more efficient. This conversion is achieving by heating the biomass (wood in this example) with oxygen. Not only is the efficiency increased, but the biomass can alternately produce chemicals or materials. American researchers are hard at work perfecting this process.
Products
Renewable biobased products (bioproducts) are products created from plant- or crop-based resources such as agricultural crops and crop residues, forestry, pastures. Currently these bioproducts are created using petroleum, due to the hydrocarbons that exist in petroleum. If bioproducts were produced with biomass materials carbohydrates, proteins, and plant oils would be used instead of the hydrocarbons. Regardless of which are used, many products are produced in this manner. Some examples are paint, drugs, plastics, and solvents. With the continuous decrease of petroleum resources, it is becoming imperative to manufacture an increasing amount of these products with the plant and crop based materials. Today they account for about 5% of the bioproducts produced. It is estimated that about 12.4 billion pounds of biobased products are produced with renewable resources per year, out of the hundreds of billions of pounds that are produced each year. This discrepancy and the limited amount of petroleum reserves for the United States show that the potential for renewable bioproducts is basically limitless.
Biorefineries
In addition to reducing dependence on foreign oil, fostering a domestic biorefinery industry modeled after petrochemical refineries is a primary objective of the Biomass Program. Existing industries such as wet-mill corn processing and pulp and paper mills fit the multiple-products-from-biomass definition of a biorefinery, but the goal is to foster new industries converting lignocellulosic biomass into a wide range of products, including ones that would otherwise be made from petrochemicals. As with petrochemical refineries, the vision is that the biorefinery would produce both high-volume liquid transportation fuel (meeting national energy needs) and high-value chemicals or products (enhancing operation economics).
Possibilities for the Future
It has recently been announced that a $50 million biodiesel manufacturing plant will be built in North Dakota. It will be the largest plant of its kind in the United States, and produce about 100,000 tons of biodiesel each year.
Biomass is produced here in the United States rather than being imported from overseas. Since it is produced at home, new jobs will be created, and the agricultural market will be improved. The rural American economy will also receive a much-needed boost. As mentioned, increased biofuel production means reduced dependency on foreign oil. Also the use of toxic fuel additives is totally avoided. An increased role for biomass in America's energy landscape is an intriguing idea, and probably a good one. It can help to conserve what little fossil fuels we have left, while at the same time avoiding all the pollution problems that fossil fuels give us. The fields that biomass crops could use now lie fallow because of the decreased role of farming in today's economy. Biomass can revive the economy in rural areas. Unlike solar and wind power, these crops are not a sore spot in the landscape. Opponents of hydroelectric power claim that it disrupts the river environment, killing fish and marine plants alike. This problem does not exist with biomass. Biomass is quite possibly the best renewable source of energy this country has, and that is reflected by the fact that it has become the leading source of renewable energy in this new millennium.
About the Author
C. Ozcan - is the author for Site Insaat Inc. Please visit Site inşaat projeleri for more information about Turkey architects contractors and construction companies in Istanbul, Turkey.
Biomass Feedstocks
The feedstocks are essentially the plant and plant-based material that are used to produce biomass energy. Currently, this consists mostly of easily processed agricultural crops and low- or negative-cost industrial residues. Future plans focus more on the use of agricultural and forestry residues. These can be used not just for power, but also for production of fuel, chemicals, and materials. Research is being done now to improve the collection, transportation and harvesting of these residues. It is estimated that there is about 512 million dry tons of biomass that is now available for less than $50 per dry ton. One of the major problems, however, is collecting and transporting the biomass. U.S. scientists are focusing on solving these problems with current and planned research. These feedstocks are then converted into either sugars or thermochemicals.
Sugar and Thermochemical Platforms
Most plant material is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The U.S. Department of Energy's Biomass Program is at the forefront of a national effort to develop technology to break cellulose and hemicellulose down into their component sugars. Anticipated biorefineries will then be able to biologically process these sugars to fuel ethanol or other building block chemicals. Lignin can either be burned to provide process heat and electricity or can itself be converted to fuels and chemicals.
Possibly the oldest way of converting biomass to energy was burning wood. Unfortunately burning wood is not very efficient. If this solid biomass is converted to liquid or gas before combustion, the process becomes much more efficient. This conversion is achieving by heating the biomass (wood in this example) with oxygen. Not only is the efficiency increased, but the biomass can alternately produce chemicals or materials. American researchers are hard at work perfecting this process.
Products
Renewable biobased products (bioproducts) are products created from plant- or crop-based resources such as agricultural crops and crop residues, forestry, pastures. Currently these bioproducts are created using petroleum, due to the hydrocarbons that exist in petroleum. If bioproducts were produced with biomass materials carbohydrates, proteins, and plant oils would be used instead of the hydrocarbons. Regardless of which are used, many products are produced in this manner. Some examples are paint, drugs, plastics, and solvents. With the continuous decrease of petroleum resources, it is becoming imperative to manufacture an increasing amount of these products with the plant and crop based materials. Today they account for about 5% of the bioproducts produced. It is estimated that about 12.4 billion pounds of biobased products are produced with renewable resources per year, out of the hundreds of billions of pounds that are produced each year. This discrepancy and the limited amount of petroleum reserves for the United States show that the potential for renewable bioproducts is basically limitless.
Biorefineries
In addition to reducing dependence on foreign oil, fostering a domestic biorefinery industry modeled after petrochemical refineries is a primary objective of the Biomass Program. Existing industries such as wet-mill corn processing and pulp and paper mills fit the multiple-products-from-biomass definition of a biorefinery, but the goal is to foster new industries converting lignocellulosic biomass into a wide range of products, including ones that would otherwise be made from petrochemicals. As with petrochemical refineries, the vision is that the biorefinery would produce both high-volume liquid transportation fuel (meeting national energy needs) and high-value chemicals or products (enhancing operation economics).
Possibilities for the Future
It has recently been announced that a $50 million biodiesel manufacturing plant will be built in North Dakota. It will be the largest plant of its kind in the United States, and produce about 100,000 tons of biodiesel each year.
Biomass is produced here in the United States rather than being imported from overseas. Since it is produced at home, new jobs will be created, and the agricultural market will be improved. The rural American economy will also receive a much-needed boost. As mentioned, increased biofuel production means reduced dependency on foreign oil. Also the use of toxic fuel additives is totally avoided. An increased role for biomass in America's energy landscape is an intriguing idea, and probably a good one. It can help to conserve what little fossil fuels we have left, while at the same time avoiding all the pollution problems that fossil fuels give us. The fields that biomass crops could use now lie fallow because of the decreased role of farming in today's economy. Biomass can revive the economy in rural areas. Unlike solar and wind power, these crops are not a sore spot in the landscape. Opponents of hydroelectric power claim that it disrupts the river environment, killing fish and marine plants alike. This problem does not exist with biomass. Biomass is quite possibly the best renewable source of energy this country has, and that is reflected by the fact that it has become the leading source of renewable energy in this new millennium.
About the Author
C. Ozcan - is the author for Site Insaat Inc. Please visit Site inşaat projeleri for more information about Turkey architects contractors and construction companies in Istanbul, Turkey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)