Former weed may fill world's fuel tanks

[GMCSonoma]

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By Mark Sappenfield, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor Tue May 8, 4:00 AM ET


JAGDALPUR, INDIA - In an overgrown corner of Moolchand Sethia's plantation, runty and unloved, stands what could be the next revolution in the world's search for renewable fuel.
From China to Brazil, countries have begun setting aside tens of thousands of acres for the cultivation of jatropha – a plant many experts say is the most promising source for biodiesel. At the same time, companies from Europe and India have begun buying up land throughout Africa to establish jatropha plantations.
As American farmers plan to plant the most corn since World War II to cash in on ethanol, which is added to gasoline, much of the rest of the world is turning to jatropha, which is used as a substitute for diesel fuel.



Article continues at link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070508/wl_csm/ojatro

[importedtuna]

Jatropha oil is produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas, a plant that can grow in wastelands. Jatropha curcas grows almost anywhere, even on gravelly, sandy and saline soils. It can thrive on the poorest stony soil. It can grow even in the crevices of rocks.

The plant yields more than four times as much fuel per hectare as soybean, and more than ten times that of corn. A hectare of jatropha produces 1,892 liters of fuel.

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

[give_it_all_]

Quite impressive

[spaz]

Are there any BTU numbers on the jatropha diesel? Most of conventional diesel fuel's fuel economy advantages are due to the fact that diesel has such a high BTU per gallon compared with gasoline, and E85 has a lower BTU per gallon than gasoline, which explains its poorer fuel economy. Biodiesel has been reported to have a BTU level per gallon very similar to that of conventional diesel.
The main challenge with biodiesel is that it can congeal and contaminate fuel lines and high tech diesel injection systems, which is why vehicles fueled on a high level of biodiesel ust switch to conventional before shut down and for the first few minutes after start up.

[Old Dood]

I like that idea of this fuel source. I am not so keen on corn for the reason it will make corn and it's by-products more expensive.

[SuperSS27]

Another step in the direction of energy dependence....WOOOHOOO!!!!! I wonder how the oil rich nations are feeling about alternative fuels.

[LBTheDawg]

Instead of wasting time with CAFE legislation which does nothing to improve production of home grown fuel, why not use that wasted money to develop means and methods to exploit agricultural based fuels?

Of course it will never happen, the only thing that CAFE has created is more bureaucracy for politicians to exploit for their own benefit. And in it's own way, CAFE has created a dependence on oil rather than a search for alternatives. When the auto industry's resources are focused on regulation, it has lost it's ability to explore and innovate.

[gardnet1]

I wonder what we can get out of dandelions as my lawn is full of them.

[atomicshark]

I'm still waiting for Mr. Fusion™.

[CRBoyd91]

Originally Posted by SuperSS27

Another step in the direction of energy dependence....WOOOHOOO!!!!! I wonder how the oil rich nations are feeling about alternative fuels.

I'm sure the UAE is thrilled.

[Cabana Boy]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

I like that idea of this fuel source. I am not so keen on corn for the reason it will make corn and it's by-products more expensive.

Corn is only one way to make ethanol. There are lots of other ways.

I am skeptical bout this source.

[kmacleod]

Originally Posted by gardnet1

I wonder what we can get out of dandelions as my lawn is full of them.

Your "Lawn Roses" provide very tasty greens for salads and the milk from the stems make quite a fine wine according to my 96 year old grandmother.......

Ken

[PocoToro]

I think I saw something where there is a nonprofit working on this in California????????? I do remember "plant+seed+wasteland=bio-diesel" In California

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by CRBoyd91

I'm sure the UAE is thrilled.

"Grows in sandy soils."

[likearock00]

Originally Posted by gardnet1

I wonder what we can get out of dandelions as my lawn is full of them.

That and chickweed and crabgrass!! I'd love to see the day when that stuff becomes wanted!!