Re: [Biofuel] In French ?
Hello Oliver. I have some interesting ideas concerning biofuel in Switzerland. Contact me on [EMAIL PROTECTED] ASAP for further discussions. Jan Jan Warnqvist AGERATEC AB [EMAIL PROTECTED] + 46 554 201 89 +46 70 499 38 45 - Original Message - From: Mike Weaver [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2005 5:26 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] In French ? Bonjour, in researching the possibility of making BD with Isopropyl Alcohol, I have noticed than in Europe many countries refer to biodiesel as FAME; this may be a useful term to search for when looking for French language information. -Mike Keith Addison wrote: I would highly recommend also using: http://world.altavista.com/ I would highly recommend also using an online translator such as AltaVista's Babelfish (http://world.altavista.com/). I have used it frequently for Russian to English, and it seems to have no problem with English to French when you use the Translate a web page option. --Randall Charlotte, NC Hello Randall The machine translators are useful, we've discussed using them here before, but that was for when people wanted to post messages in Spanish or French or whatever, not for technical instructions on a website. How would American biodieselers for instance like it if they had to get their information from Journey to Forever via Babelfish? Here's how the Spanish version of Mike Pelly's titration instructions come out in English via world.altavista.com: Disolución of a gram of lejía in a distilled liter of water prepares one. Asegúrate of which it is dissolved totally. This sample serves like value of reference in valoración. It is important that this disolución is not contaminated because serˆ used in many valuations. Mixture in a container pequeño 10 mililiter of isopropílico alcohol with 1 mililiter of the oil (asegurate of which it is exactly 1 mililiter). It takes to the oil sample después of it to have warmed up and to have shaken (5 Figure # 1). Añade two drops of fenolftaleína, that is an indicator ˆ cido-bases colorless in the presence of ˆ cidos and red in the presence of bases. English version: Make up a solution of one gram of lye to one liter of distilled water. Make sure it dissolves completely. This sample is then used as a reference tester for the titration process. It's important not to let the sample get contaminated, it can be used for many titrations. Mix 10 milliliters of isopropyl alcohol in a small container with a 1 milliliter sample of WVO -- make sure it's exactly 1 milliliter. Take the WVO titration sample from the reaction vessel (Figure 5 #1) after it's been warmed up and stirred. Add to this solution 2 drops of phenolphthalein, an acid-base indicator that's colorless in acid and red in base. Not so good eh? Lots of people in lots of countries speak French. If there aren't any good biofuels how-to sites in French there should be. Invitation stands: If some of the French-speaking list members wanted to translate the Journey to Forever Biofuels section into French we'd be happy to host it, like the Spanish-language site. Best Keith - Original Message - From: Sam Critchley [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 11:51 AM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] In French ? Hi, Biodiesel is often called diester in French. Here's a French-language Wikipedia entry with some links to biodiesel in Switzerland at the bottom: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diester I also suggest doing an advanced search on Google for French-language pages containing the words biodiesel or diester. Thanks, Sam On Fri, 09 Dec 2005 17:01:00 +0100, Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello Olivier I have some friends in the French side of Switzerland, Geneva, who are interested to try to make Biodiesel. They already have a car (a LandRover I beleive) running on SVO. But they do not speak (nor read) english. Do you know by any chance a good web site where they can find information on how to produce in French ? I don't. Maybe there isn't one. If some of the French-speaking list members wanted to translate the Journey to Forever Biofuels section into French we'd be happy to host it, like the Spanish-language site. Regards Keith Addison Journey to Forever KYOTO Pref., Japan http://journeytoforever.org/ Thanks, Olivier ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever:
Re: [Biofuel] Biodiesel Testing excessive methanol
Hello Jim, since the methanol solubility test worked out well, you probably have created some soap from the methyl esters. With best regards Jan Jan Warnqvist AGERATEC AB [EMAIL PROTECTED] + 46 554 201 89 +46 70 499 38 45 - Original Message - From: JJJN [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: BIO Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 7:32 PM Subject: [Biofuel] Biodiesel Testing excessive methanol I just tested a 60 Liter batch and have a few questions; below is what I have done with the results and further below are my questions, The biodiesel used in the tests below was unwashed - glycerin layer removed. 1.) Using the test method noted on JtF ( Jan Warnqvist - Methanol test) as prescribed 225 ml Methanol combined with 25 ml of the biodiesel. Results: Biodiesel was fully soluble and formed a clear bright phase no contaminants or other phases noted. Results after 24 hours - No change. 2) Using a MODIFIED JtF method, (combining 4.90875 grams lab grade KOH and 100 ml Methanol (Potassium Methoxil) with 1 Liter of the biodiesel) - INSTEAD I added 400ml methanol and 4.90875 grams KOH ( Potassium Methoxil ) (both lab grade near absolute) to 1 Liter of the Biodiesel. I then heated to 120 deg F and mixed for one hour. Results: after 24 hours there was a nice amber layer from the bottom of the glass jar up to the last say 1/2 inch where a very very slightly amber layer resided to the top. there was nothing at the bottom at all. 3) Wash test JtF, In a glass jar I shook 1/2 Bio and 1/2 water at room temp till mixed into one phase. Results: within 1 minute the water and Bio separated and the water was quite white. Wash #2 same time of separation water clearer this time. Wash # 3 same as #2. Wash # 4 water was not drinking quality but PH is close to seven. O.K why did I increase the Methanol in test #2) above? I am not sure except to see what it would do, but from what I read it would not harm so I did. My Question: Can anyone tell me what the strange clear amber layer on top of the other clear amber layer may be? Could this be the FFA content per L? Thanks in advance, Jim ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Acid - Base questions
Hello Jim, when using the acid esterification, you will have methyl esters, unreacted oil, sulphate ions, oxonium ions and - water. Proceeding to the base step you will create more methyl esters, potassium or sodium soaps, maybe a little unreacted oil or partially reacted oil, potassium or sodium sulphates and - even more water. This method works fine if the water content can be kept on a reasonable level. Please note that the higher the initial FFA level, the more water will be produced. With best regards Jan Jan Warnqvist AGERATEC AB [EMAIL PROTECTED] + 46 554 201 89 +46 70 499 38 45 - Original Message - From: JJJN [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: BIO Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 3:01 AM Subject: [Biofuel] Acid - Base questions I have decided to try the acid/base method in small test batches as I have some High FFA (4ml) oil I would like to process. Since September I have gone to great lengths to get repeatability and accuracy in all my work with Biodiesel. I have read and re-read JtF and I know that I will no doubt read it several more times if I get stumped. I would like to start with fully understanding the process first. Before I start: Can you use KOH with the Acid Base method? It might be obvious, but I did not see it in the recipe as a substitution. When the acid gets done with Estrification properly then the mix that is left is basically an oil (triglycerides) , Methanol, and Sulfur ions ? Or did I miss something? When the Methoxil is added the Sulfur gets combined with the Sodium ions, (right?) how does this affect the reaction? Any good experienced information would be helpful, Jim ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Is Washington Planning a Military Strike on Iran?
--- Hakan Falk [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sometimes I wonder why they add in things that might had happened, but did not. At 07:56 05/01/2006, you wrote: snip -- as evidenced by Erdogan's recent phone call to Ariel Sharon, congratulating the prime minister on his recent recovery from heart surgery. We now know that Sharon never underwent a heart surgery, it was scheduled, but could not be done because of his massive stroke. He did however recover from a minor stroke earlier, but heart surgery? Hakan # I remember who is responsible for the masacre of inocent wemen and children in two refugee camps in labonan in the early 80's. Also myriad palistinian prisoners in into a football stadiium and never got out ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] quality test questions
Hi Joe Hi Keith; Best wishes for the new year Thankyou, and to you and all. and thanks for your tireless (seemingly) effort around here. You're most welcome, thanks again. In truth I haven't had much time for the list recently, we've been rushed off our feet for the last four months, every day we run out of time. Seems we're emerging now, most everything's done, we got there, can't believe it. I hope it doesn't look like I am implying a good titration can't be done without going to this length. That is not the case. I don't think you implied that, that's not what I was thinking, sorry if you thought it was. I guess I was thinking K.I.S.S., but that's a moveable feast. I just wanted to share the idea incase anyone else wanted to give it a whirl. I much admire your attitude to sharing and what you've said about it before, said and done. Would that more people saw it that way. But maybe enough do, for it to work and to spread, seems so. Yes I know it looks too elaborate, but it really was quite simple to put together and was done in less than a day. In the beginning, I started out with 2 ml oil and 20 ml IPA in a 50 ml beaker standing in a small wide mouth mason jar of hot water, stirring with a popsicle stick in between dribbling the titrating solution. I'm sure I could have continued with this. I did find it was a little inconsistent but mostly I found it too fiddley. I'm just clumsy I guess but I'm glad I put the (small relative to the rest of the project) effort into my little kit. Now I have both hands free and can dribble the solution smoothly without interruption just watching for the indicator to go off, and get very repeatable results which didn't used to be the case before. Probably my technique I guess (I'm less dangerous with a soldering iron than a pipette) and as you were saying in a recent post about building experience, I might have got it down to a routine and worked the variability out of it given enough time, but this way I made my life easier by fixing two of the variables; the heat is always consistent, as the agitation is, and besides, it helps keep me from making a mess :) :-) Well, you see, I'm not too happy with a soldering iron. Not that soldering's a problem but I'll have nothing to do with those evil black magic runes and so on that wicked wizards who're probably out to hex me refer to so deceptively as electronic circuit diagrams even if I could figure out which way is up. My brother did amazing things with them it's true, like his better fly-swatter for instance (shudder), but then he was a wicked wizard. Anyway that was a much better sales pitch, I can see the attraction. Fewer variables, an easier life. Useful. Needs a link I think, for them as can tell a soldering iron from a wand or know someone who can (ie someone who knows how to use a wand). Will do. Thanks, take care Keith Joe Keith Addison wrote: Hello Joe Pardon the snip... snip I found that my success depended a lot on how careful I was with the titration step. Also I found that when the 0.1% base solution was added there was a tendancy for some oil to drop out and I think this affected my accuracy. I built a stirrer to keep the liquid in the test tube very well agitated during the titration and this helped a lot as I could tell by the consistency when I repeated the titration several times. If you want a description of how to make a very low cost titration kit check my website at http://www.nonprofitfuel.ca/Titrator.html I'm sure it works well, but what puzzles me, and puzzled me when you first discussed this, is the test tube. Before you made your kit you were shaking it to agitate it, no? I suppose there's not much else you can do if you're using a test tube. Why not use something that's shaped right so you can stir it properly? If you don't have a suitable beaker an ordinary glass tumbler will do. We get a bit fancy, we use fine crystal glasses, rescued along with much else from Tokyo's gomi (rubbish) on its way to Tokyo Bay. They're about 1.5 wide at the bottom and about 4 tall, strong but thin glass so it warms up quickly when you stand it in hot water, and with a thick bottom so it retains the heat well. Easy to stir with a chopstick, no problem at all, no need for anything complicated. Best Keith snip ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil
if that were true, wouldn't walmart be in big trouble vis-a-vis purchases from china? Greg and April wrote: IIRC, it's not legal for individual states or cities to make treaties with foreign nations, as such an agreement might be considered. Greg H. - Original Message - From: Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 23:56 Subject: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2710 Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil by Jessica Pupovac (bio) As Chicago's poorest face an increase to already-high public transit fees, the city is ignoring an offer of discounted diesel fuel to benefit low-income people. Chicago, Dec 28, 2005 - The Chicago Transit Authority is refusing an opportunity to alleviate commuting costs for hundreds of thousands in the Windy City's low-income neighborhoods. Instead of accepting deeply discounted fuel from the Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum Corporation, the city is instead raising fares to solve budget shortfalls. In an October meeting with representatives from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the city's Department of Energy and other city officials, Citgo unveiled a plan to provide the Chicago with low-cost diesel fuel. The company's stipulation, at the bidding of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, was that the CTA, in turn, pass those savings on to poor residents in the form free or discounted fare cards. But two months later, despite claims of a looming budget crisis, the CTA president has no intent or plan to accept the offer, according to CTA spokesperson Ibis Antongiorgi. She gave no explanation. According to Venezuela's consul general in Chicago, Martin Sanchez, the CTA has yet to inform his office of its decision to decline the discount offer. In place of the proposed discount, which the CTA apparently does not want Chicagoans to even know about, budget shortfalls will be addressed by fare hikes. Chicagoans who are unaware of the Venezuela offer will be hit with an increase of 25 cents per ride next month, and discounted route-to-route transfers will be eliminated for passengers paying cash. This is going to hurt the poor and the minority people, like me, said Dorothy Chew, resident of Humboldt Park, where one-third of residents live below the federally recognized poverty level - currently just $16,000 for a family of three. Chew relies on the CTA to get to work and to Chicago Commons, where she attends classes daily in preparation for taking her GED. Since she rarely has money to invest in a fare card, she will be forced to pay for transfers the majority of the time. Chew's classmate, Linda Cox, works a minimum-wage job and has been a Public Aid recipient for 15 years. She also relies heavily on public transportation. I only earn $560 a month and of that, over $200 a month goes to my bus fare, Cox told The NewStandard. I have a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old who also need to get to school. If they change the prices and take away transfers, there are going to be a lot of days missed. I already see no money at the end of the month. The offer of discount fuel is not just confined to Chicago. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the first of Venezuela's oil-for-the-poor programs in the US was launched. Citgo struck a deal with three nonprofit organizations in the Bronx to deliver 5 million gallons of heating oil at 45 percent below the market price. The deal will amount to a savings of $4 million for the 8,000 low-income households slated to benefit from the plan. This is going to hurt the poor and the minority people, like me. -- Dorothy Chew Citgo has made a similar arrangement with Citizens Energy Corp. in Boston for the sale and distribution of 12 million gallons, saving low-income and elderly residents there a total of $10 million. The company's website says that it expects to expand the program to other boroughs in New York City and that it is exploring the possibility of offering discounted fuel to residents in Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. However, in all of Illinois, only about 12,000 households use heating oil. So instead of fuel for heat, Citgo representatives offered the CTA a 40-50 percent discount on diesel fuel for buses to benefit Chicagoans most in need of relief from soaring oil and gas prices this winter. We didn't know how else to reach enough people, said Consul Sanchez. Another difference between the Chicago offer and the programs enacted in the Northeast is that Citgo proposed to work with a government agency, rather than nonprofit organizations. The CTA relies on the US federal government - which is in a constant war of words with Venezuelan President Chavez - for much of its funding. In fact, just weeks after Citgo made its offer to the CTA, Congress signed the Federal
Re: [Biofuel] was.. Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil
Not to mention, there is a Citgo station at the Pentagon. I buy B20 there sometimes. Dammit Mike, now who're we supposed to arrest, you, Citgo, or the Pentagon? Arrest them all, it's the only way - everybody in my police van, no excuses, no use trying to blame Redler for all the spaghetti either, alles verbode. Keith AEN wrote: Hello, The agreements to supply discounted heating oil have been made through citgo, the legal U.S. subsiid.. with full business status in the U.S. It is not a situation of making treaties with foreign nations, so it should not be considered as such You don't see U.S. oil co's offering any relief what so ever on heating fuel costs do you?. Even after the record profits that they have raked in last year. The whole situation is purely political and if Canada or Britain offered the same deal, it would most probably be gratefully accepted. Is it ok to say we are not going to accept oil from an alleged oppressive regime such as Chaves's while bombing Bagdad? This is no defence of Citgo but they regularly offer discounted oil to poor people in several other countries as well. Might be something U.S. OIL could look at...don't hold your breath. Pure political BS. OK, so Chicago authorities want to save face and not get involved for their own reasons mean while thousands of poor Americans can't afford to keep warm this winter or obtain discount transport. regards tallex ---Original Message--- From: Greg and April [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil Sent: 05 Jan '06 15:17 IIRC, it's not legal for individual states or cities to make treaties with foreign nations, as such an agreement might be considered. Greg H. Get your daily alternative energy news Alternate Energy Resource Network 1000+ news sources-resources updated daily http://www.alternate-energy.net Next Generation Grid http://groups.yahoo.com/group/next_generation_grid/ Tomorrow-energy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tomorrow-energy/ Alternative Energy Politics http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alternative_Energy_Politics/ - Original Message - From: Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 23:56 Subject: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2710 Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil by Jessica Pupovac (bio) As Chicago's poorest face an increase to already-high public transit fees, the city is ignoring an offer of discounted diesel fuel to benefit low-income people. snip ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Dewatering with vacuum.
Hey Jacko According to the hyperphysics page (great page) and here it is: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/watvap.html#c2 You see the vapour pressure of water at room temperature is roughly 17 mm of mercury. This is less than 1 inch so you would need better than 29" Hg vacuum to boil off the water. It will be a challenge to get to 29" and it will require a good pump and large diameter piping and good attention to seals and valve types.(read $$) My reactor uses ball valves which are not really suitable for vacuum service (I'm used to talking High Vacuum 10e-12 torr -microns of mercury are gross units to me, but we are talking an order higher than that, mm really gross) so for this purpose I can get away with ball valves. I do everything in the reactor vessel because I have space restictions. Processing begins right after drying the oil in situ. So therefore I use the immersion heater to heat the oil to 50 deg. C while drying and then add the methoxide after venting most of the vacuum. If you interpolate the data from the page you see that at 50 deg. C the vapor pressure rises to around 100 mm which means roughly 26" hg vacuum (29.92" - 4"). This is something which is readily achievable even with a small pumping line (I use 1/4" poly tube from the pump to my liquid trap and 1/2 " condenser to the top of the water tank) and ball valves seem to be up to the task (so far). I can get to 28" with this setup but when the vacuum creeps past the 27" mark I start the process. So the process goes like: Fill tank and begin heating (takes two hours) Drain liquid water Vacuum dry (about 1 hr) Mix chemicals and run reaction 2 hr Settle overnight. (want to reduce this if possible, have similar question about acceptable limits of byproduct before washing) 3 wash cycles 6 hrs Vacuum dry 1 hr. As to your question about what is the acceptable vacuum limit. What you are really asking is how much water can we get away with. I would like to know as well. I do know that a couple of times when I have let the dried oil sit in the reactor (under vacuum but with the pump off and valves closed) for a couple of days before reacting, a small amount of water vapor would re-condense in the tubing which is part of the recirculation system, which is at room temperature outside the insulation jacket. I estimated it was about 1cc (out of a 25 liter batch) or roughly 40ppm water and the batch was fine. Hope this helps Joe [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Can vacuum be used alone to dewater oil at room temp? Or even at slightly elevated temp? 55 deg. C would be a good temp so when it finished drying it could be sent directly to the processor. I would also need a condenser to keep the evacuated water out of the vacuum pump. A friend of mine (in ACR) uses vacuum @30" water column to take the water content to 300 micron. What micron is acceptable other than the obvious 0 micron? I am just looking at options vs costs. I seen a post the other day and it made me sit back and think. As always appreciate your input. John Frey ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Biodiesel story from Madison, Wisconsin
Wow you are brave dude! I was contacted by the CTV who wanted to do the same story here in Canada and then I thought twice about having them in my house with the TV cameras. Just out of curiosity has anyone form your house insurance company seen it and contacted you yet? Joe Sean Michael Dargan wrote: Greetings to my brothers and sisters in the noble biodiesel movement! I thought you might like to see this story that our local news did on me and my obsession with BD. You might get a kick out of it... I'm kind of a dork. Here's the link. Click on the video story link at the top of the page. http://www.wkowtv.com/index.php/news/story/p/pkid/22991#videowindow Keep the faith, etc. Sean Michael Dargan Singer/Songwriter/Bagpiper/Rockstar Madison, Wisconsin USA www.seanmichaeldargan.com __ Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Dewatering with vacuum.
Water boils off at 43F at 20-50mmhg of vacuum at sea level.At 140F it takes about 150-200mmhg.When fluids are mixed togther the Pressure of Vaporization changes especially when thouroughly mixed. You do not need a condensor if you are useing a AC type vacuum pump(that's what they are designed for). I know iowa's BECON program flash heats their oil to 230F then runs it through a vacuum chamber to achieve dewatering. Unless you have a very large vacuum pump or very littlewater in youroil it will take a long time. Water multiplies in volume by 10-18 thousand times when boiled. 1 Cubic foot = 1728 cubic inches 1 Cubic Inch of water when boiled off = 5.79 cubic feet minimum 1 gallon = 231 cubic inches Vacuum Distilation alone would take a huge amount of time. I would still heat then let it settle and remove the water off the bottom. Then use vacuum distilation. Remember if you buy a 5CFM vacuum pump that is displacement of the piston at no load and full rpm. When you start pulling a vacuum that numberfalls off quickely and at 30" that is probably less then 1CFM. A Racor Fuel filter/dewaterar MIGHT work also. They are built for Diesel engines, but the ones you can afford havelow flow rates. Logan Vilas - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 3:35 PM Subject: [Biofuel] Dewatering with vacuum. Can vacuum be used alone to dewater oil at room temp?Or even at slightly elevated temp? 55 deg. C would be a good temp so when it finished drying it could be sent directly to the processor. I would alsoneed a condenser to keep the evacuated water out of the vacuum pump.A friend of mine (in ACR) uses vacuum @30" water column to take the watercontent to 300 micron. What micron is acceptable other than the obvious 0micron?I am just looking at options vs costs. I seen a post the other day and itmade me sit back and think.As always appreciate your input.John Frey ___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.orghttp://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner
Hello All, I've been using a 30% BD/70% heating oil mix in my heating oil tank since August. My oil burner heats my water as well as my house.All went well (each time I checked the nozzle on the burner it was clean as new) until late in Dec. I was away. My wife noticed an odor of diesel fuel in the basement. She found a small puddle of oil under the furnace. Following is the report from the person who serviced the burner: Oil leak under the burner Nozzle jelled up outside Found some sort of jelly built up on end of nozzle Oil was dripping down blast tube I suspect that the difference in the performance of the mix in Dec vs Aug through Nov, is the cold. Although my oil tank is inside, it is in my basement where temps drop below 50F on cold days. The fuel line to the burner is 12 ft long and runs along an exterior wall. During the colder months I use the bestWVO, with the lowest cloud point to made BD for my car and the rest to make BD for my heating fuel. (My caris outdoors, starts on the coldest days and runs well on a 70% BD/30% petro diesel mix. It has a small pre-coolant heater that I plug in for an hour before starting.) Questions: 1. Am I right in assuming that the "jelly" on the nozzle is the thicking of the BD due to the cold? 2. Can the problem be addressed by heating the fuel line to the burner? 3. Any other thoughts? Thanks, Tom ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] quality test questions
Keith; Well thanks for your kind words r.e. my penchant for sharing info. I got to tell you it warmed a corner in my little pinko commieluver heart to hear it. I guess that proves what I suspected all along, that there is a reason for people to strive other than material or monetary gain. Call it selfishness I guess LOL. And that you are adding a link about it to your website.well I also have to tell you I actually did a little victory dance right here in my office when I read that news. Santa comes late sometimes it seemsand here I thought I might suffer the karmic payback that I downed the milk and cookies my daughter left out! Thanks for making my day. Joe Keith Addison wrote: Hi Joe Hi Keith; Best wishes for the new year Thankyou, and to you and all. and thanks for your tireless (seemingly) effort around here. You're most welcome, thanks again. In truth I haven't had much time for the list recently, we've been rushed off our feet for the last four months, every day we run out of time. Seems we're emerging now, most everything's done, we got there, can't believe it. I hope it doesn't look like I am implying a good titration can't be done without going to this length. That is not the case. I don't think you implied that, that's not what I was thinking, sorry if you thought it was. I guess I was thinking K.I.S.S., but that's a moveable feast. I just wanted to share the idea incase anyone else wanted to give it a whirl. I much admire your attitude to sharing and what you've said about it before, said and done. Would that more people saw it that way. But maybe enough do, for it to work and to spread, seems so. Yes I know it looks too elaborate, but it really was quite simple to put together and was done in less than a day. In the beginning, I started out with 2 ml oil and 20 ml IPA in a 50 ml beaker standing in a small wide mouth mason jar of hot water, stirring with a popsicle stick in between dribbling the titrating solution. I'm sure I could have continued with this. I did find it was a little inconsistent but mostly I found it too fiddley. I'm just clumsy I guess but I'm glad I put the (small relative to the rest of the project) effort into my little kit. Now I have both hands free and can dribble the solution smoothly without interruption just watching for the indicator to go off, and get very repeatable results which didn't used to be the case before. Probably my technique I guess (I'm less dangerous with a soldering iron than a pipette) and as you were saying in a recent post about building experience, I might have got it down to a routine and worked the variability out of it given enough time, but this way I made my life easier by fixing two of the variables; the heat is always consistent, as the agitation is, and besides, it helps keep me from making a mess :) :-) Well, you see, I'm not too happy with a soldering iron. Not that soldering's a problem but I'll have nothing to do with those evil black magic runes and so on that wicked wizards who're probably out to hex me refer to so deceptively as "electronic circuit diagrams" even if I could figure out which way is up. My brother did amazing things with them it's true, like his "better fly-swatter" for instance (shudder), but then he was a wicked wizard. Anyway that was a much better sales pitch, I can see the attraction. Fewer variables, an easier life. Useful. Needs a link I think, for them as can tell a soldering iron from a wand or know someone who can (ie someone who knows how to use a wand). Will do. Thanks, take care Keith Joe Keith Addison wrote: Hello Joe Pardon the snip... snip I found that my success depended a lot on how careful I was with the titration step. Also I found that when the 0.1% base solution was added there was a tendancy for some oil to drop out and I think this affected my accuracy. I built a stirrer to keep the liquid in the test tube very well agitated during the titration and this helped a lot as I could tell by the consistency when I repeated the titration several times. If you want a description of how to make a very low cost titration kit check my website at http://www.nonprofitfuel.ca/Titrator.html I'm sure it works well, but what puzzles me, and puzzled me when you first discussed this, is the test tube. Before you made your kit you were shaking it to agitate it, no? I suppose there's not much else you can do if you're using a test tube. Why not use something that's shaped right so you can stir it properly? If you don't have a suitable beaker an ordinary glass tumbler will do. We get a bit fancy, we use fine crystal glasses, rescued along with much else from Tokyo's "gomi" (rubbish) on its way to Tokyo Bay. They're about 1.5" wide at the bottom and about 4"
Re: [Biofuel] Intro / Question
Have you done any energy loss calculations on your house? Unless you have prior bills, that's probably the only way to get a decent figure for how much fuel you'll need. Houses vary too much to be able to give a decent average number, even assuming the same climate. You can get fancy programs and such to simualte energy use, but I'd just use a simple UA analysis and heating degree days to get a ballpark. And it depends alot on your comfort level too. I happen to like 60F much better than 70F. On 1/5/06, David Marquis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Doug, I am pretty sure that it is probably cooler here in Minnesota. I call it the great tundra wasteland. :-) I did some searching on the internet for #2 grade heating oil and it is running in the $2.00-$2.30 a gallon range. Eeek! Well I believe that I can use/make BD of less than that. Even if I had to buy WVO from the local BD co-op (not a bad thing) at a 1.00 a gallon, I think I would still be under the going rate for #2 heating oil. 500 gallons? That's a lot. I would have thought that it would be a lot less... maybe I am not in the know. For example, my wife and I have our house thermostat set at a fairly low (at least according to our friends) 17 degrees C. WOW! that is 62-63 F. I keep it at 66F or 19C. What are your thoughts? Dave --- Doug Turner [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Dave: I live in Hamilton, Ontario, which is on the western end of Lake Ontario and about the same latitude as Rome. Last year, which was somewhat colder than normal, we used approximately 500US gallons of #2 Fuel Oil to heat our house at a cost of $1,400 CND. You should probably talk to a fuel oil distributor to get an idea of what the average usage in Minnesota will be. I suspect that average usage in your area will be somewhat higher then it is here. You live further north than I do and I suspect that you also have a more continental climate. But as I'm sure you are aware, there are a lot of things that can impact your fuel usage. For example, my wife and I have our house thermostat set at a fairly low (at least according to our friends) 17 degrees C. Hope this helps, Doug Turner __ Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner
Hello Tom, the leakage you have spotted is no doubt a result of material incompability, something that you will have to live with unless you find sealings of a compatible material. The biodiesel from WVO will in case of crystallisation, plug the fuel filter of your burner, not causing leakages. Is the jelly thing clear or emulsified ? Best regards Jan WarnqvistAGERATEC AB [EMAIL PROTECTED] + 46 554 201 89+46 70 499 38 45 - Original Message - From: Thomas Kelly To: biofuel Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 4:43 PM Subject: [Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner Hello All, I've been using a 30% BD/70% heating oil mix in my heating oil tank since August. My oil burner heats my water as well as my house.All went well (each time I checked the nozzle on the burner it was clean as new) until late in Dec. I was away. My wife noticed an odor of diesel fuel in the basement. She found a small puddle of oil under the furnace. Following is the report from the person who serviced the burner: Oil leak under the burner Nozzle jelled up outside Found some sort of jelly built up on end of nozzle Oil was dripping down blast tube I suspect that the difference in the performance of the mix in Dec vs Aug through Nov, is the cold. Although my oil tank is inside, it is in my basement where temps drop below 50F on cold days. The fuel line to the burner is 12 ft long and runs along an exterior wall. During the colder months I use the bestWVO, with the lowest cloud point to made BD for my car and the rest to make BD for my heating fuel. (My caris outdoors, starts on the coldest days and runs well on a 70% BD/30% petro diesel mix. It has a small pre-coolant heater that I plug in for an hour before starting.) Questions: 1. Am I right in assuming that the "jelly" on the nozzle is the thicking of the BD due to the cold? 2. Can the problem be addressed by heating the fuel line to the burner? 3. Any other thoughts? Thanks, Tom ___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.orghttp://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner
Jan, Thanks for your prompt response. My first thought upon hearing of a leak from the burner was that there was a problem with a rubber component such as a seal. (I had been assured that, since the burner was installed in 1992, the seals were all synthetic and would not leak). If that were the case it should still be leaking, no? More than two weeks after the nozzle was replaced and the blast tube was adjusted there is no sign of a leak. The explanation for the puddle of oil (from the service man) was that the clogged nozzle was not spraying all of the oil into the ignition spark. The furnace was not burning all of the oil being sprayed though the nozzle. Unburned oil was dripping down the blast tube. I also considered that the jelled BD should be trapped in the filter (and possibly clog it). The filter is located at the tank. There is no second filter in the frunace. My concern is that the fuel travels 12ft through narrow copper tubing along the floor at an exterior wall in a basement that currently is 45F. Could it be flowing through the filter, only to cool further inside the fuel line on its way to the burner? I didn't see the jelly on the nozzle so I can't comment on its appearance. There was an add in the local paper for Biodiesel Heating Fuel. The add stated that it could be used in any burner that used heating oil. I appreciate your help, as one of my goals is to provide low cost .. as in free ... heating oil to people in need in my community. I have to get it to work in my own furnace first. Thanks again, Tom - Original Message - From: Jan Warnqvist To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 11:43 AM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner Hello Tom, the leakage you have spotted is no doubt a result of material incompability, something that you will have to live with unless you find sealings of a compatible material. The biodiesel from WVO will in case of crystallisation, plug the fuel filter of your burner, not causing leakages. Is the jelly thing clear or emulsified ? Best regards Jan WarnqvistAGERATEC AB [EMAIL PROTECTED] + 46 554 201 89+46 70 499 38 45 - Original Message - From: Thomas Kelly To: biofuel Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 4:43 PM Subject: [Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner Hello All, I've been using a 30% BD/70% heating oil mix in my heating oil tank since August. My oil burner heats my water as well as my house.All went well (each time I checked the nozzle on the burner it was clean as new) until late in Dec. I was away. My wife noticed an odor of diesel fuel in the basement. She found a small puddle of oil under the furnace. Following is the report from the person who serviced the burner: Oil leak under the burner Nozzle jelled up outside Found some sort of jelly built up on end of nozzle Oil was dripping down blast tube I suspect that the difference in the performance of the mix in Dec vs Aug through Nov, is the cold. Although my oil tank is inside, it is in my basement where temps drop below 50F on cold days. The fuel line to the burner is 12 ft long and runs along an exterior wall. During the colder months I use the bestWVO, with the lowest cloud point to made BD for my car and the rest to make BD for my heating fuel. (My caris outdoors, starts on the coldest days and runs well on a 70% BD/30% petro diesel mix. It has a small pre-coolant heater that I plug in for an hour before starting.) Questions: 1. Am I right in assuming that the "jelly" on the nozzle is the thicking of the BD due to the cold? 2. Can the problem be addressed by heating the fuel line to the burner? 3. Any other thoughts? Thanks, Tom ___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.orghttp://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.orghttp://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to
Re: [Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner
Tom,Do you have a clear sight tube after that copper line before the burner?You could see if the fuel is cloudy before it gets to the burner. Or you could keep a mason jar of your mixed fuel near the fuel line where it would maintain the same temperature and you could see if it stays clear. On 1/6/06, Thomas Kelly [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Jan, Thanks for your prompt response. My first thought upon hearing of a leak from the burner was that there was a problem with a rubber component such as a seal. (I had been assured that, since the burner was installed in 1992, the seals were all synthetic and would not leak). If that were the case it should still be leaking, no? More than two weeks after the nozzle was replaced and the blast tube was adjusted there is no sign of a leak. The explanation for the puddle of oil (from the service man) was that the clogged nozzle was not spraying all of the oil into the ignition spark. The furnace was not burning all of the oil being sprayed though the nozzle. Unburned oil was dripping down the blast tube. I also considered that the jelled BD should be trapped in the filter (and possibly clog it). The filter is located at the tank. There is no second filter in the frunace. My concern is that the fuel travels 12ft through narrow copper tubing along the floor at an exterior wall in a basement that currently is 45F. Could it be flowing through the filter, only to cool further inside the fuel line on its way to the burner? I didn't see the jelly on the nozzle so I can't comment on its appearance. There was an add in the local paper for Biodiesel Heating Fuel. The add stated that it could be used in any burner that used heating oil. I appreciate your help, as one of my goals is to provide low cost .. as in free ... heating oil to people in need in my community. I have to get it to work in my own furnace first. Thanks again, Tom -- Thanks,PCHe's the kind of a guy who lights up a room just by flicking a switchA little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men. - Roald Dahl ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner
Paul, Thanks for the response. You have me thinking. The BD that I added to my fuel oil clouded at 52 - 54F. My basement can drop down into the 40's. I had assumed that by mixing it with heating oil the cloud point would be decreased. Maybe that was an incorrect assumption. Is this what I can expect from BD that has clouded at low temps - a jelly-like buildup on the nozzle of my furnace. Can I solve the problem by heating the fuel line? Thinking something like this might happen, I learned how to change the nozzle before my father-in-law headed for warmer climes. Thanks again, Tom From: Paul S Cantrell To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 1:23 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] BD and Oil Burner Tom,Do you have a clear sight tube after that copper line before the burner?You could see if the fuel is cloudy before it gets to the burner. Or you could keep a mason jar of your mixed fuel near the fuel line where it would maintain the same temperature and you could see if it stays clear. On 1/6/06, Thomas Kelly [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Jan, Thanks for your prompt response. My first thought upon hearing of a leak from the burner was that there was a problem with a rubber component such as a seal. (I had been assured that, since the burner was installed in 1992, the seals were all synthetic and would not leak). If that were the case it should still be leaking, no? More than two weeks after the nozzle was replaced and the blast tube was adjusted there is no sign of a leak. The explanation for the puddle of oil (from the service man) was that the clogged nozzle was not spraying all of the oil into the ignition spark. The furnace was not burning all of the oil being sprayed though the nozzle. Unburned oil was dripping down the blast tube. I also considered that the jelled BD should be trapped in the filter (and possibly clog it). The filter is located at the tank. There is no second filter in the frunace. My concern is that the fuel travels 12ft through narrow copper tubing along the floor at an exterior wall in a basement that currently is 45F. Could it be flowing through the filter, only to cool further inside the fuel line on its way to the burner? I didn't see the jelly on the nozzle so I can't comment on its appearance. There was an add in the local paper for Biodiesel Heating Fuel. The add stated that it could be used in any burner that used heating oil. I appreciate your help, as one of my goals is to provide low cost .. as in free ... heating oil to people in need in my community. I have to get it to work in my own furnace first. Thanks again, Tom -- Thanks,PCHe's the kind of a guy who lights up a room just by flicking a switchA little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men. - Roald Dahl ___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.orghttp://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Dewatering with vacuum.
logan vilas wrote: Water boils off at 43F at 20-50mmhg of vacuum at sea level. At 140F it takes about 150-200mmhg. When fluids are mixed togther the Pressure of Vaporization changes especially when thouroughly mixed. You do not need a condensor if you are useing a AC type vacuum pump(that's what they are designed for). I know iowa's BECON program flash heats their oil to 230F then runs it through a vacuum chamber to achieve dewatering. Unless you have a very large vacuum pump or very little water in your oil it will take a long time. Water multiplies in volume by 10-18 thousand times when boiled. Say WHAT? I'm not sure what number you mean by 10-18 thousand. The number I remember is about 1700 times. 1 Cubic foot = 1728 cubic inches 1 Cubic Inch of water when boiled off = 5.79 cubic feet minimum 1 gallon = 231 cubic inches Vacuum Distilation alone would take a huge amount of time. I would still heat then let it settle and remove the water off the bottom. Then use vacuum distilation. Remember if you buy a 5CFM vacuum pump that is displacement of the piston at no load and full rpm. When you start pulling a vacuum that number falls off quickely and at 30 that is probably less then 1CFM. You have to multiply the CFM by the pressure. 1/30 atmosphere * 5 CFM = 1/6 CFM. It you're trying to pump off a cubic foot of water it would take something like 1700 * 6 minutes. That's a long time to wait:) --- David ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Intro / Question
Hi David: I may have made a mistake in my metric to US conversion but I believe that the 1900 litres we used last year is close to 500 US gallons. As I mentioned, it was an unusually cold winter here so this might not be a good indicator. A local fuel oil supplier would be able to give you a better idea. Just call and tell them that you are considering an oil furnace and you wonder about the operating costs. We just had an energy audit done this summer and there are some very significant areas where we can improve the efficiency of our house, which as it turns out is not very efficient. This was expected. The house is a story and a half double-brick construction built in 1952, an era when energy costs were not a concern. So I believe that with a little work and not too much money we can significantly lower our fuel usage which will be beneficial regardless of the fuel. With respect to the price of fuel oil, right now I'm paying 75 cents per litre or about $2.85 per US gallon (about $2.45 US) so there is not that much of a price differential. Many of my neighbours use natural gas and pay a fair bit more (15-25%) for winter heating. I'm not sure about the total cost of creating BD because you have to get the NaOH (which is a relatively small portion of the cost) and the methanol (much higher percent of the total cost) and there is some energy added to the process, but BD makes sense from an environmental stand-point, particularly if you are using WVO that would be discarded anyway. As for the house temperature, it's a little low by North American standards but we have friends who have immigrated from Europe and they find it quite pleasant. Just buy a few extra sweaters and eat more :) TTYL Doug Turner - Original Message - From: David Marquis [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 11:30 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Intro / Question Hi Doug, I am pretty sure that it is probably cooler here in Minnesota. I call it the great tundra wasteland. :-) I did some searching on the internet for #2 grade heating oil and it is running in the $2.00-$2.30 a gallon range. Eeek! Well I believe that I can use/make BD of less than that. Even if I had to buy WVO from the local BD co-op (not a bad thing) at a 1.00 a gallon, I think I would still be under the going rate for #2 heating oil. 500 gallons? That's a lot. I would have thought that it would be a lot less... maybe I am not in the know. For example, my wife and I have our house thermostat set at a fairly low (at least according to our friends) 17 degrees C. WOW! that is 62-63 F. I keep it at 66F or 19C. What are your thoughts? Dave --- Doug Turner [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Dave: I live in Hamilton, Ontario, which is on the western end of Lake Ontario and about the same latitude as Rome. Last year, which was somewhat colder than normal, we used approximately 500US gallons of #2 Fuel Oil to heat our house at a cost of $1,400 CND. You should probably talk to a fuel oil distributor to get an idea of what the average usage in Minnesota will be. I suspect that average usage in your area will be somewhat higher then it is here. You live further north than I do and I suspect that you also have a more continental climate. But as I'm sure you are aware, there are a lot of things that can impact your fuel usage. For example, my wife and I have our house thermostat set at a fairly low (at least according to our friends) 17 degrees C. Hope this helps, Doug Turner __ Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Intro / Question
Thanks for your input. Our house is really bad in the insulation area. I have done some remodeling and the insulation that I have put has helped a lot in those rooms, but the upper floor pretty much doesn't have any. I need to replace the furnace so I thought BD would be a great solution to help the enviroment a little bit and cut my costs also. Dave --- Zeke Yewdall [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Have you done any energy loss calculations on your house? Unless you have prior bills, that's probably the only way to get a decent figure for how much fuel you'll need. Houses vary too much to be able to give a decent average number, even assuming the same climate. You can get fancy programs and such to simualte energy use, but I'd just use a simple UA analysis and heating degree days to get a ballpark. And it depends alot on your comfort level too. I happen to like 60F much better than 70F. On 1/5/06, David Marquis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Doug, I am pretty sure that it is probably cooler here in Minnesota. I call it the great tundra wasteland. :-) I did some searching on the internet for #2 grade heating oil and it is running in the $2.00-$2.30 a gallon range. Eeek! Well I believe that I can use/make BD of less than that. Even if I had to buy WVO from the local BD co-op (not a bad thing) at a 1.00 a gallon, I think I would still be under the going rate for #2 heating oil. 500 gallons? That's a lot. I would have thought that it would be a lot less... maybe I am not in the know. For example, my wife and I have our house thermostat set at a fairly low (at least according to our friends) 17 degrees C. WOW! that is 62-63 F. I keep it at 66F or 19C. What are your thoughts? Dave --- Doug Turner [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Dave: I live in Hamilton, Ontario, which is on the western end of Lake Ontario and about the same latitude as Rome. Last year, which was somewhat colder than normal, we used approximately 500US gallons of #2 Fuel Oil to heat our house at a cost of $1,400 CND. You should probably talk to a fuel oil distributor to get an idea of what the average usage in Minnesota will be. I suspect that average usage in your area will be somewhat higher then it is here. You live further north than I do and I suspect that you also have a more continental climate. But as I'm sure you are aware, there are a lot of things that can impact your fuel usage. For example, my wife and I have our house thermostat set at a fairly low (at least according to our friends) 17 degrees C. Hope this helps, Doug Turner __ Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ __ Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] biodiesel with heat and pressure
Hello my name is Manuel, Has anyone here tried to make biodiesel with very high FFA using high temp and high pressure using ethanol. thanks ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Acid - Base questions
Thanks Jan, If I had developed a method to separate FFA's from base stock without using chemicals or water say in the range of 95% separation in WVO (still a work in progress but hopeful results) so that I could React the Low FFA's in a Base method then would it be feasible to react the High FFA's In a separate Acid reaction? Or what problems would I encounter like the water problem you noted below? Would the FFA's be worth the trouble? Thanks Jim Jan Warnqvist wrote: Hello Jim, when using the acid esterification, you will have methyl esters, unreacted oil, sulphate ions, oxonium ions and - water. Proceeding to the base step you will create more methyl esters, potassium or sodium soaps, maybe a little unreacted oil or partially reacted oil, potassium or sodium sulphates and - even more water. This method works fine if the water content can be kept on a reasonable level. Please note that the higher the initial FFA level, the more water will be produced. With best regards Jan Jan Warnqvist AGERATEC AB [EMAIL PROTECTED] + 46 554 201 89 +46 70 499 38 45 - Original Message - From: JJJN [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: BIO Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 3:01 AM Subject: [Biofuel] Acid - Base questions I have decided to try the acid/base method in small test batches as I have some High FFA (4ml) oil I would like to process. Since September I have gone to great lengths to get repeatability and accuracy in all my work with Biodiesel. I have read and re-read JtF and I know that I will no doubt read it several more times if I get stumped. I would like to start with fully understanding the process first. Before I start: Can you use KOH with the Acid Base method? It might be obvious, but I did not see it in the recipe as a substitution. When the acid gets done with Estrification properly then the mix that is left is basically an oil (triglycerides) , Methanol, and Sulfur ions ? Or did I miss something? When the Methoxil is added the Sulfur gets combined with the Sodium ions, (right?) how does this affect the reaction? Any good experienced information would be helpful, Jim ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil
Todd, There is a world of difference between a non-profit organization buying cut rate fuel for the use of non-profit distribution to the poor, and a local government buying cut rate fuel for use in a 'for profit' program, even if it is supposed to benefit the poor. If Chicago was to buy the cut rate fuel, there would eventually be allot scandal issues, with accusation and counter accusation about members of the local government benefiting taking advantage from the cost difference. Eventually things would have ended up in court ( an expensive place ). This is what Chicago avoided by declining the fuel. OTOH, if a non-profit organization was to buy the fuel at the cut rate, and sell it to Chicago at the market price, then use the money gained to distribute special discount bus passes to the poor, then the poor would benefit, and the government could not.The same thing could have been achieved if the Citgo sold the fuel at market price, and gave a non-profit origination the difference between the money to reimburse the poor of Chicago for difference in the cost of the more expensive bus passes. What I am saying, is that arrangements could have been different, that would allow the poor to benefit, without bringing Venezuela by way of Citgo and the government of Chicago directly into contact.There should be a non-political organization that does not benefit in any way between Citgo and the poor of Chicago to avid the taint of corruption bribery.** It should be this way even if it was a domestic oil company that was donating the fuel. ** Greg H. Why are lemmings better than politicians? Lemmings only take themselves of cliffs. Politicians try to send you ahead telling you what a favor they are doing you to let you go first! - Original Message - From: Appal Energy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 22:30 Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil Large difference between signing a treaty and signing a contract. Until such time as some form of federal embargo is placed against Venezuela, the market remains open and there are no restrictions against such a transaction. Todd Swearingen Greg and April wrote: Not really. See a previous post with the subject - Venezuela Oil Fields Back in State Control, from Keith Addison: In 2001, it passed a new law requiring oil production to be carried out by companies majority-owned by the government. Greg H. - Original Message - From: Marty Phee [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 10:04 Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil Very true, but wouldn't they be signing a contract with Citgo and not Venezuela. Greg and April wrote: IIRC, it's not legal for individual states or cities to make treaties with foreign nations, as such an agreement might be considered. Greg H. - Original Message - From: Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 23:56 Subject: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2710 Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil by Jessica Pupovac (bio) As Chicago's poorest face an increase to already-high public transit fees, the city is ignoring an offer of discounted diesel fuel to benefit low-income people. Chicago, Dec 28, 2005 - The Chicago Transit Authority is refusing an opportunity to alleviate commuting costs for hundreds of thousands in the Windy City's low-income neighborhoods. Instead of accepting deeply discounted fuel from the Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum Corporation, the city is instead raising fares to solve budget shortfalls. In an October meeting with representatives from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the city's Department of Energy and other city officials, Citgo unveiled a plan to provide the Chicago with low-cost diesel fuel. The company's stipulation, at the bidding of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, was that the CTA, in turn, pass those savings on to poor residents in the form free or discounted fare cards. But two months later, despite claims of a looming budget crisis, the CTA president has no intent or plan to accept the offer, according to CTA spokesperson Ibis Antongiorgi. She gave no explanation. According to Venezuela's consul general in Chicago, Martin Sanchez, the CTA has yet to inform his office of its decision to decline the discount offer. In place of the proposed discount, which the CTA apparently does not want Chicagoans to even know about, budget shortfalls will be addressed by fare hikes. Chicagoans who are unaware of the Venezuela offer will be hit with an increase of 25 cents per ride next month, and discounted route-to-route transfers will be eliminated for passengers paying cash. This is going to hurt the poor and the minority people, like me, said Dorothy
[Biofuel] Questions on Acid Step in Foolproof Process
Does anyone have experience measuring the conversion of ffa to ester in the acid step? I have tried the reaction using choice white grease (cwg is hog or beef fat, ffa is about 4 on the sample I used) and I did get a better split in the final result after the base hydrolysis. I am wondering about the acid step, though, because many acidolysis esterifications are carried out at much higher temperatures. Right now I plan to get the before and after the step value of the TAN and look for changes in glycerol, methyl esters and residual free fatty acids by GC/ mass spec. Any comments on other items I should look for would be appreciated. My ultimate goal is to do other transesterifications to make an industrial feedstock but this seemed like a good place to start. Thanks, Dennis Mahoney ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Biodiesel Testing excessive methanol
Thanks Jan, You have confirmed what I have researched from JtF about the base converting the methyl esters back to mono and di glycerides (can happen) and that certainly makes sense as the bio was unwashed therefore it would have had additional catalyst available for this to happen. Thanks again for your help here Jan Warnqvist wrote: Hello Jim, since the methanol solubility test worked out well, you probably have created some soap from the methyl esters. With best regards Jan Jan Warnqvist AGERATEC AB [EMAIL PROTECTED] + 46 554 201 89 +46 70 499 38 45 - Original Message - From: JJJN [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: BIO Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 7:32 PM Subject: [Biofuel] Biodiesel Testing excessive methanol I just tested a 60 Liter batch and have a few questions; below is what I have done with the results and further below are my questions, The biodiesel used in the tests below was unwashed - glycerin layer removed. 1.) Using the test method noted on JtF ( Jan Warnqvist - Methanol test) as prescribed 225 ml Methanol combined with 25 ml of the biodiesel. Results: Biodiesel was fully soluble and formed a clear bright phase no contaminants or other phases noted. Results after 24 hours - No change. 2) Using a MODIFIED JtF method, (combining 4.90875 grams lab grade KOH and 100 ml Methanol (Potassium Methoxil) with 1 Liter of the biodiesel) - INSTEAD I added 400ml methanol and 4.90875 grams KOH ( Potassium Methoxil ) (both lab grade near absolute) to 1 Liter of the Biodiesel. I then heated to 120 deg F and mixed for one hour. Results: after 24 hours there was a nice amber layer from the bottom of the glass jar up to the last say 1/2 inch where a very very slightly amber layer resided to the top. there was nothing at the bottom at all. 3) Wash test JtF, In a glass jar I shook 1/2 Bio and 1/2 water at room temp till mixed into one phase. Results: within 1 minute the water and Bio separated and the water was quite white. Wash #2 same time of separation water clearer this time. Wash # 3 same as #2. Wash # 4 water was not drinking quality but PH is close to seven. O.K why did I increase the Methanol in test #2) above? I am not sure except to see what it would do, but from what I read it would not harm so I did. My Question: Can anyone tell me what the strange clear amber layer on top of the other clear amber layer may be? Could this be the FFA content per L? Thanks in advance, Jim ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil
Wal-Mart is not a local government. Greg H. - Original Message - From: bob allen [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 6:50 Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil if that were true, wouldn't walmart be in big trouble vis-a-vis purchases from china? ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil
On 1/6/06, Greg and April [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Wal-Mart is not a local government. Technically true thought Walmart is larger and more evil than most local (and many national) governments. Greg H. - Original Message - From: bob allen [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 6:50 Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil if that were true, wouldn't walmart be in big trouble vis-a-vis purchases from china? ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] was.. Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil
And now I have a second choice .. Hess is offering gas with 10% ethanol .. and that's a totally new development here in New Jersey. .. at least for New Jersey that's a rather major step in the .. hopefully .. right direction. I like having choices. Mary Lynn Mary Lynn Schmidt ONE SPIRIT ONE HEART TTouch . Animal Behavior Modification . Behavior Problems . Ordained Minister . Pet Loss Grief Counseling . Radionics . Dowsing . Nutrition . Homeopathy . Herbs. . Polarity . Reiki . Spiritual Travel The Animal Connection Healing Modalities http://members.tripod.com/~MLSchmidt/ From: Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] was.. Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2006 22:33:26 +0900 Not to mention, there is a Citgo station at the Pentagon. I buy B20 there sometimes. Dammit Mike, now who're we supposed to arrest, you, Citgo, or the Pentagon? Arrest them all, it's the only way - everybody in my police van, no excuses, no use trying to blame Redler for all the spaghetti either, alles verbode. Keith AEN wrote: Hello, The agreements to supply discounted heating oil have been made through citgo, the legal U.S. subsiid.. with full business status in the U.S. It is not a situation of making treaties with foreign nations, so it should not be considered as such You don't see U.S. oil co's offering any relief what so ever on heating fuel costs do you?. Even after the record profits that they have raked in last year. The whole situation is purely political and if Canada or Britain offered the same deal, it would most probably be gratefully accepted. Is it ok to say we are not going to accept oil from an alleged oppressive regime such as Chaves's while bombing Bagdad? This is no defence of Citgo but they regularly offer discounted oil to poor people in several other countries as well. Might be something U.S. OIL could look at...don't hold your breath. Pure political BS. OK, so Chicago authorities want to save face and not get involved for their own reasons mean while thousands of poor Americans can't afford to keep warm this winter or obtain discount transport. regards tallex ---Original Message--- From: Greg and April [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil Sent: 05 Jan '06 15:17 IIRC, it's not legal for individual states or cities to make treaties with foreign nations, as such an agreement might be considered. Greg H. Get your daily alternative energy news Alternate Energy Resource Network 1000+ news sources-resources updated daily http://www.alternate-energy.net Next Generation Grid http://groups.yahoo.com/group/next_generation_grid/ Tomorrow-energy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tomorrow-energy/ Alternative Energy Politics http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alternative_Energy_Politics/ - Original Message - From: Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 23:56 Subject: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2710 Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil by Jessica Pupovac (bio) As Chicago's poorest face an increase to already-high public transit fees, the city is ignoring an offer of discounted diesel fuel to benefit low-income people. snip ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil
Aramco is a foreign government-owned company, are your local governments allowed to buy fuel? Anyway, whatever, the news report says: But two months later, despite claims of a looming budget crisis, the CTA president has no intent or plan to accept the offer, according to CTA spokesperson Ibis Antongiorgi. She gave no explanation. If your explanation had any chance of standing up I don't doubt she'd have used it, but she didn't. People like Weisbrot would surely know it too. I think you're just grabbing for an excuse. IMHO, considering the current context in the US of oil interests, corruption and interfering with foreign governments (and even your own), your arguments seem somewhat bizarre. In the context of the poor too, especially after some of Hurricane Katrina's revelations. But you blamed the victims at the time, didn't you? Nobody's said the S-word yet (aarghh), LOL! Best Keith Todd, There is a world of difference between a non-profit organization buying cut rate fuel for the use of non-profit distribution to the poor, and a local government buying cut rate fuel for use in a 'for profit' program, even if it is supposed to benefit the poor. If Chicago was to buy the cut rate fuel, there would eventually be allot scandal issues, with accusation and counter accusation about members of the local government benefiting taking advantage from the cost difference. Eventually things would have ended up in court ( an expensive place ). This is what Chicago avoided by declining the fuel. OTOH, if a non-profit organization was to buy the fuel at the cut rate, and sell it to Chicago at the market price, then use the money gained to distribute special discount bus passes to the poor, then the poor would benefit, and the government could not.The same thing could have been achieved if the Citgo sold the fuel at market price, and gave a non-profit origination the difference between the money to reimburse the poor of Chicago for difference in the cost of the more expensive bus passes. What I am saying, is that arrangements could have been different, that would allow the poor to benefit, without bringing Venezuela by way of Citgo and the government of Chicago directly into contact.There should be a non-political organization that does not benefit in any way between Citgo and the poor of Chicago to avid the taint of corruption bribery.** It should be this way even if it was a domestic oil company that was donating the fuel. ** Greg H. Why are lemmings better than politicians? Lemmings only take themselves of cliffs. Politicians try to send you ahead telling you what a favor they are doing you to let you go first! - Original Message - From: Appal Energy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 22:30 Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil Large difference between signing a treaty and signing a contract. Until such time as some form of federal embargo is placed against Venezuela, the market remains open and there are no restrictions against such a transaction. Todd Swearingen Greg and April wrote: Not really. See a previous post with the subject - Venezuela Oil Fields Back in State Control, from Keith Addison: In 2001, it passed a new law requiring oil production to be carried out by companies majority-owned by the government. Greg H. - Original Message - From: Marty Phee [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 10:04 Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil Very true, but wouldn't they be signing a contract with Citgo and not Venezuela. Greg and April wrote: IIRC, it's not legal for individual states or cities to make treaties with foreign nations, as such an agreement might be considered. Greg H. - Original Message - From: Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 23:56 Subject: [Biofuel] Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2710 Chicago Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil by Jessica Pupovac (bio) As Chicago's poorest face an increase to already-high public transit fees, the city is ignoring an offer of discounted diesel fuel to benefit low-income people. Chicago, Dec 28, 2005 - The Chicago Transit Authority is refusing an opportunity to alleviate commuting costs for hundreds of thousands in the Windy City's low-income neighborhoods. Instead of accepting deeply discounted fuel from the Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum Corporation, the city is instead raising fares to solve budget shortfalls. In an October meeting with representatives from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the city's Department of Energy and other city officials, Citgo unveiled a plan to provide the Chicago with low-cost diesel fuel. The
Re: [Biofuel] quality test questions
Hello Joe Keith; Well thanks for your kind words r.e. my penchant for sharing info. :-) Not just kind, it's most important, IMHO. There are those that just take, plenty of them, but I don't think it matters and nor do they, just as long as other people go on sharing, which is what real humans normally do all the time anyway. I got to tell you it warmed a corner in my little pinko commieluver heart to hear it. I guess that proves what I suspected all along, that there is a reason for people to strive other than material or monetary gain. Call it selfishness I guess LOL. I guess, but there's a whole world of difference between that kind of selfishness and the Thatcherist-Reaganite-Friedmanesque rendering (greed in drag). Let's just do it our way and see how well the greedy manage to thrive on trickle-up eh? g And that you are adding a link about it to your website.well I also have to tell you I actually did a little victory dance right here in my office when I read that news. Did you really? LOL! Santa comes late sometimes it seemsand here I thought I might suffer the karmic payback that I downed the milk and cookies my daughter left out! Ah, you wicked person! What karmic payback might Santa have in store for me if I become an accessory after the fact? I'll have to modify the link, this man might indeed make a useful titration device but he steals his daughter's milk and cookies so on your own head be it. D'you think that'll let me off? Anyway it'll take a day or two to upload the link, I'll send you a pointer when done. Thanks for making my day. You're most welcome. :-) Best Keith Joe Keith Addison wrote: Hi Joe Hi Keith; Best wishes for the new year Thankyou, and to you and all. and thanks for your tireless (seemingly) effort around here. You're most welcome, thanks again. In truth I haven't had much time for the list recently, we've been rushed off our feet for the last four months, every day we run out of time. Seems we're emerging now, most everything's done, we got there, can't believe it. I hope it doesn't look like I am implying a good titration can't be done without going to this length. That is not the case. I don't think you implied that, that's not what I was thinking, sorry if you thought it was. I guess I was thinking K.I.S.S., but that's a moveable feast. I just wanted to share the idea incase anyone else wanted to give it a whirl. I much admire your attitude to sharing and what you've said about it before, said and done. Would that more people saw it that way. But maybe enough do, for it to work and to spread, seems so. Yes I know it looks too elaborate, but it really was quite simple to put together and was done in less than a day. In the beginning, I started out with 2 ml oil and 20 ml IPA in a 50 ml beaker standing in a small wide mouth mason jar of hot water, stirring with a popsicle stick in between dribbling the titrating solution. I'm sure I could have continued with this. I did find it was a little inconsistent but mostly I found it too fiddley. I'm just clumsy I guess but I'm glad I put the (small relative to the rest of the project) effort into my little kit. Now I have both hands free and can dribble the solution smoothly without interruption just watching for the indicator to go off, and get very repeatable results which didn't used to be the case before. Probably my technique I guess (I'm less dangerous with a soldering iron than a pipette) and as you were saying in a recent post about building experience, I might have got it down to a routine and worked the variability out of it given enough time, but this way I made my life easier by fixing two of the variables; the heat is always consistent, as the agitation is, and besides, it helps keep me from making a mess :) :-) Well, you see, I'm not too happy with a soldering iron. Not that soldering's a problem but I'll have nothing to do with those evil black magic runes and so on that wicked wizards who're probably out to hex me refer to so deceptively as electronic circuit diagrams even if I could figure out which way is up. My brother did amazing things with them it's true, like his better fly-swatter for instance (shudder), but then he was a wicked wizard. Anyway that was a much better sales pitch, I can see the attraction. Fewer variables, an easier life. Useful. Needs a link I think, for them as can tell a soldering iron from a wand or know someone who can (ie someone who knows how to use a wand). Will do. Thanks, take care Keith Joe Keith Addison wrote: Hello Joe Pardon the snip... snip I found that my success depended a lot on how careful I was with the titration step. Also I found that when the 0.1% base solution was added there was a tendancy for some oil to drop out and I think this affected my accuracy. I built a stirrer to keep the liquid in the test tube very well agitated during the titration and this helped a
[Biofuel] China signals reserves switch away from dollar
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/f39fa8e4-7e25-11da-8ef9-779e2340.html FT.com / Home UK - Saturday Jan 7 2006 . All times are London time. China signals reserves switch away from dollar By Geoff Dyer in Shanghai and Andrew Balls in Washington Published: January 5 2006 20:13 | Last updated: January 6 2006 02:43 China indicated on Thursday it could begin to diversify its rapidly growing foreign exchange reserves away from the US dollar and government bonds - a potential shift with significant implications for global financial and commodity markets. Economists estimate that more that 70 per cent of the reserves are invested in US dollar assets, which has helped to sustain the recent large US deficits. If China were to stop acquiring such a large proportion of dollars with its reserves - currently accumulating at about $15bn (?12.4bn) a month - it could put heavy downward pressure on the greenback. In a brief statement on its website, the government's foreign exchange regulator said one of its targets for 2006 was to improve the operation and management of foreign exchange reserves and to actively explore more effective ways to utilise reserve assets. It went on: [The objective is] to improve the currency structure and asset structure of our foreign exchange reserves, and to continue to expand the investment area of reserves. We want to ensure that the use of foreign exchange reserves supports a national strategy, an open economy and the macro-economic adjustment. The announcement came from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (Safe). It gave no more details about whether this meant a big shift in the investment strategy for Chinese reserves, which according to local press reports reached nearly $800bn at the end of last year and are expected by economists to near $1,000bn this year. The regulator also said it would end quotas on the amount of foreign currency Chinese companies can acquire to invest in overseas assets, a decision that removes a bureaucratic hurdle facing companies that plan to make international acquisitions. The statement comes at a time of growing debate in China on how the reserves are invested. Some economists have called on Beijing to use the funds to finance infrastructure investment and clean up state-owned companies, or to invest in higher-yielding assets rather than financing US borrowing. However, according to Stephen Green, economist for Standard Chartered in Shanghai, although the language was vague, Thursday's statement was the first time Safe has publicly indicated a shift away from dollar assets. It is a subtle but clear signal that they are interested in moving away from the US dollar into other currencies, and are interested in setting up some kind of strategic commodity fund, maybe just for oil, but maybe for other commodities, he said. The Group of Seven leading industrialised economies has repeatedly called for an adjustment in global trade imbalances, including a rise in the renminbi. The US has expressed frustration that China has not allowed its currency to rise significantly after last July's 2 per cent revaluation. That saw China move from a dollar peg to managing its currency against a basket of currencies, potentially allowing the renminbi to rise against the dollar. John Snow, US Treasury secretary, speaking earlier on Thursday, repeated his call for China to allow the renminbi to rise against the dollar. The trade deficit is influenced by lots of things, differential growth rates, differential savings rates and investment rates and so on. But clearly, getting the [Chinese currency] more appropriately valued will be helpful to the global adjustment process, he said. However, some economists believe it would be a mistake for China to shift its reserves into domestic investment or other asset classes. ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] The Quiet Death Of Freedom
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11462.htm The Quiet Death Of Freedom By John Pilger 01/05/06 ICH -- -- On Christmas Eve, I dropped in on Brian Haw, whose hunched, pacing figure was just visible through the freezing fog. For four and a half years, Brian has camped in Parliament Square with a graphic display of photographs that show the terror and suffering imposed on Iraqi children by British policies. The effectiveness of his action was demonstrated last April when the Blair government banned any expression of opposition within a kilometre of Parliament. The High Court subsequently ruled that, because his presence preceded the ban, Brian was an exception. Day after day, night after night, season upon season, he remains a beacon, illuminating the great crime of Iraq and the cowardice of the House of Commons. As we talked, two women brought him a Christmas meal and mulled wine. They thanked him, shook his hand and hurried on. He had never seen them before. That's typical of the public, he said. A man in a pin-striped suit and tie emerged from the fog, carrying a small wreath. I intend to place this at the Cenotaph and read out the names of the dead in Iraq, he said to Brian, who cautioned him: You'll spend the night in cells, mate. We watched him stride off and lay his wreath. His head bowed, he appeared to be whispering. Thirty years ago, I watched dissidents do something similar outside the walls of the Kremlin. As night had covered him, he was lucky. On 7 December, Maya Evans, a vegan chef aged 25, was convicted of breaching the new Serious Organised Crime and Police Act by reading aloud at the Cenotaph the names of 97 British soldiers killed in Iraq. So serious was her crime that it required 14 policemen in two vans to arrest her. She was fined and given a criminal record for the rest of her life. Freedom is dying. Eighty-year-old John Catt served with the RAF in the Second World War. Last September, he was stopped by police in Brighton for wearing an offensive T-shirt, which suggested that Bush and Blair be tried for war crimes. He was arrested under the Terrorism Act and handcuffed, with his arms held behind his back. The official record of the arrest says the purpose of searching him was terrorism and the grounds for intervention were carrying placard and T-shirt with anti-Blair info (sic). He is awaiting trial. Such cases compare with others that remain secret and beyond any form of justice: those of the foreign nationals held at Belmarsh prison, who have never been charged, let alone put on trial. They are held on suspicion. Some of the evidence against them, whatever it is, the Blair government has now admitted, could have been extracted under torture at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib. They are political prisoners in all but name. They face the prospect of being spirited out of the country into the arms of a regime which may torture them to death. Their isolated families, including children, are quietly going mad. And for what? From 11 September 2001 to 30 September 2005, a total of 895 people were arrested in Britain under the Terrorism Act. Only 23 have been convicted of offences covered by the Act. As for real terrorists, the identity of two of the 7 July bombers, including the suspected mastermind, was known to MI5, and nothing was done. And Blair wants to give them more power. Having helped to devastate Iraq, he is now killing freedom in his own country. Consider parallel events in the United States. Last October, an American surgeon, loved by his patients, was punished with 22 years in prison for founding a charity, Help the Needy, which helped children in Iraq stricken by an economic and humanitarian blockade imposed by America and Britain. In raising money for infants dying from diarrhoea, Dr Rafil Dhafir broke a siege which, according to Unicef, had caused the deaths of half a million under the age of five. The then Attorney-General of the United States, John Ashcroft, called Dr Dhafir, a Muslim, a terrorist, a description mocked by even the judge in his politically-motivated, travesty of a trial. The Dhafir case is not extraordinary. In the same month, three US Circuit Court judges ruled in favour of the Bush regime's right to imprison an American citizen indefinitely without charging him with a crime. This was the case of Joseph Padilla, a petty criminal who allegedly visited Pakistan before he was arrested at Chicago airport three and a half years ago. He was never charged and no evidence has ever been presented against him. Now mired in legal complexity, the case puts George W Bush above the law and outlaws the Bill of Rights. Indeed, on 14 November, the US Senate effectively voted to ban habeas corpus by passing an amendment that overturned a Supreme Court ruling allowing Guantanamo prisoners access to a federal court. Thus, the touchstone of America's most celebrated freedom was scrapped.
[Biofuel] Former Economic Hit Man John Perkins on The First Truly Global Empire and its Impact on Latin America
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/03/1435206 Democracy Now! | Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006 Former Economic Hit Man John Perkins on The First Truly Global Empire and its Impact on Latin America We speak with the author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man about his former work going into various countries to create a secret empire through economics after being recruited by the National Security Agency. Perkins discusses the policy in the context of the recent WTO meetings, the NYC transit strikes, and U.S. economic interventions in Latin America. [includes rush transcript] * John Perkins, from 1971 to 1981 he worked for the international consulting firm of Chas T. Main where he was a self-described economic hit man. He is the author of the book Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. AMY GOODMAN: We turn now to John Perkins, returning to our airwaves, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. Years ago, he wrote the words: Economic Hit Men (E.H.M.s) are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. They funnel money from the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other foreign so-called aid organizations into the coffers of huge corporations and the pockets of a few wealthy families who control the planet's natural resources. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex and murder. They play a game as old as empire, but one that's taken on new and terrifying dimensions during this time of globalization. I should know, John Perkins writes, I was an E.H.M., an economic hit man. Welcome to Democracy Now! JOHN PERKINS: Thank you, Amy. It's great to be here again. AMY GOODMAN: Well, since we have last talked, many things have taken place, from the World Trade Organization meetings in Hong Kong to Evo Morales being elected in Bolivia to the New York City transit strike. Can you talk about the connections you see? JOHN PERKINS:I think we're seeing a real change in consciousness, which is something we called for here last year about this same time. One of the reasons I wrote the book -- because people need to be aware -- where you live in a democracy, and people need to be aware of what's going on, and I think increasingly people are becoming aware of that. Yes, Bolivia voted for Evo Morales, who ran on a very strong anti- corporation, anti-U.S. platform; and now Evo Morales becomes one of seven presidents in South America, representing over 80% of the population of South America who have voted - presidents who have gone into office because they opposed American policy. We see in the New York transit strike, laborers standing up to the corporatocracy, saying, 'We deserve to have pension funds. We deserve to have health care. We deserve to have benefits.' And, yes, at the World Trade Organization in Hong Kong, we basically saw the corporatocracy beaten. In the end, they put together, you know, a statement that made it sound like things were all hunky-dory; but, in fact, the developing countries really one in that one. Of course, that started in '99 in Seattle and then again in 2003 in Cancun with the World Trade Organizations there. So, I think in the last year we've seen a tremendous rise in consciousness among people that we want to move into new directions, becoming more democratic, make our leaders respond in democratic ways. AMY GOODMAN: When you talk about yourself as an economic hit man, explain very briefly. Though we have spoken before, for people who didn't hear that conversation, talk about your work as a consultant. JOHN PERKINS: Well, as an - we economic hit men, basically in the last four decades, have managed to create the world's first truly global empire; and I talk in detail in the book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, about this and in various countries where we went in to create this first truly global empire. We've done it primarily without the military. The military comes in only as a last resort. We've done it through economics, and we've done it very, very subtly, so it's been a secret empire, unlike all of history's previous empires. Most Americans don't realize that we've created this empire. They don't realize what we've done in Latin America. And the way economic hit men work, we use many different techniques, but probably the most typical is that we'll identify a company [country] that has resources that corporations covet, like oil. We'll arrange a huge loan from an organization like the World Bank for that country; but the money won't go to that country at all. It goes to big U.S. corporations -- Bechtel, Haliburton, ones we all hear about all the time -- to build infrastructure projects in that country. These projects, like industrial parks and power plants, benefit the very rich of those countries and do nothing for the poor, except to leave the country in a huge debt, one it
[Biofuel] The Cost of The War
http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2006/1/5/11510/30624 TPMCafe || Foreign Affairs The Cost of The War By Pascal Riche | bio From: Foreign Affairs Nobel Laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz and Harvard budget expert Linda Bilmes plan to present this week a paper estimating the cost of the Iraq War at between $1-2 trillion. This is far higher than earlier estimates of $100-200 billion. Here is their statement: Jan 05, 2006 -- 11:05:10 AM EST NEW STUDY SUGGESTS ECONOMIC COST OF IRAQ WAR MUCH LARGER THAN PREVIOUSLY RECOGNIZED A new study by two leading academic experts suggests that the costs of the Iraq war will be substantially higher than previously reckoned. In a paper presented to this week's Allied Social Sciences Association annual meeting in Boston MA., Harvard budget expert Linda Bilmes and Columbia University Professor and Nobel Laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz calculate that the war is likely to cost the United States a minimum of nearly one trillion dollars and potentially over $2 trillion. The study expands on traditional budgetary estimates by including costs such as lifetime disability and health care for the over 16,000 injured, one fifth of whom have serious brain or spinal injuries. It then goes on to analyze the costs to the economy, including the economic value of lives lost and the impact of factors such as higher oil prices that can be partly attributed to the conflict in Iraq. The paper also calculates the impact on the economy if a proportion of the money spent on the Iraq war were spent in other ways, including on investments in the United States Shortly before the war, when Administration economist Larry Lindsey suggested that the costs might range between $100 and $200 billion, Administration spokesmen quickly distanced themselves from those numbers, points out Professor Stiglitz. But in retrospect, it appears that Lindsey's numbers represented a gross underestimate of the actual costs. The Allied Social Sciences Association meeting is attended by the nation's leading economists and social scientists. It is sponsored jointly by the American Economic Association and the Economists for Peace and Security. ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] 2005 Was A Very Good Year For The Biotech Food Industry
http://www.rachel.org/ From: Rachel's Democracy Health News #837, Jan. 5, 2006 2005 Was A Very Good Year For The Biotech Food Industry By Peter Montague [DHN introduction: In this series, we are reviewing the 10 most important trends of 2005. -- Editors] Felix Ballarin spent 15 years of his life developing a special organically-grown variety of red corn. It would bring a high price on the market because local chicken farmers said the red color lent a rosy hue to the meat and eggs from their corn-fed chickens. But when the corn emerged from the ground last year, yellow kernels were mixed with the red. Government officials later confirmed with DNA tests that Mr. Ballarin's crop had become contaminated with a genetically modified (GMO) strain of corn. Because Mr. Ballarin's crop was genetically contaminated, it no longer qualified as organically grown, so it no longer brought a premium price. Mr. Ballarin's 15-year investment was destroyed overnight by what is now commonly known as genetic contamination. This is a new phenomenon, less then 10 years old -- but destined to be a permanent part of the brave new world that is being cobbled together as we speak by a handful of corporations whose goal is global domination of food. Mr. Ballarin lives in Spain, but the story is the same all over the world: genetically modified crops are invading fields close by (and some that are not so close by), contaminating both the organic food industry and the conventional (non-GMO and non-organic) food industry. As a result of genetically contamination of non-GMO crops in Europe, the U.S., Mexico, Australia and South America, the biotech food industry had an upbeat year in 2005 and things are definitely looking good for the future. As genetically modified pollen from their crops blows around, contaminating nearby fields, objections to genetically modified crops diminish because non-GMO alternatives become harder and harder to find. A few more years of this and there may not be many (if any) truly non-GMO crops left anywhere. At that point there won't be any debate about whether to allow GMO-crops to be grown here or there -- no one will have any choice. All the crops in the world will be genetically modified (except perhaps for a few grown in greenhouses on a tiny scale). At that point, GMO will have contaminated essentially the entire planet, and the companies that own the patents on the GMO seeds will be sitting in the catbird seat. It is now widely acknowledged that GMO crops are a leaky technology -- that it to say, genetically modified pollen is spread naturally on the wind, by insects, and by humans. No one except perhaps some officials of the U.S. Department of Agriculture were actually surprised to learn this. GMO proponents have insisted for a decade that genetic contamination could never happen (wink, wink) and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials want along with the gag. And so of course GMO crops are now spreading everywhere by natural means, just as you would expect. It couldn't have turned out better for the GMO crop companies if they had planned it this way. Growers of organically-grown and conventional crops are naturally concerned that genetic contamination is hurting acceptance of their products. Three California counties have banned GM crops. Anheuser- Busch Co., the beer giant, has demanded that its home state (Missouri) keep GMO rice fields 120 miles away from rice it buys to make beer. The European Union is now trying to establish buffer zones meant to halt the unwanted spread of GM crops. However, the http://www.precaution.org/lib/06/biotech--a_leaky_technology.051108.h tmWall Street Journal reported November 8 that, Such moves to restrict the spread of GM crops often are ineffective. Last month in Australia, government experts discovered biotech canola genes in two non-GM varieties despite a ban covering half the country. 'Regretfully, the GM companies appear unable to contain their product, said Kim Chance, agriculture minister for the state of Western Australia, on the agency's Web site. For some, this seems to come as a shocking revelation -- genetically modified pollen released into the natural environment spreads long distances on the wind. Who would have thought? Actually, almost anyone could have figured this out. Dust from wind storms in China contaminates the air in the U.S. Smoke from fires in Indonesia can be measured in the air half-way around the world. Pollen is measurable in the deep ice of antarctica. No one should ever have harbored any doubt that genetically modified pollen would spread everywhere on the Earth sooner or later. (We are now exactly 10 years into the global experiment with GMO seeds. The first crops were planted in open fields in the U.S. in 1995. From this meager beginning, global genetic contamination is now well along.) Who benefits from all this? Think of it this way: when all crops on
[Biofuel] Nuclear War against Iran
http://snipurl.com/lcza Nuclear War against Iran by Michel Chossudovsky January 3, 2006 GlobalResearch.ca The launching of an outright war using nuclear warheads against Iran is now in the final planning stages. Coalition partners, which include the US, Israel and Turkey are in an advanced stage of readiness. Various military exercises have been conducted, starting in early 2005. In turn, the Iranian Armed Forces have also conducted large scale military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf in December in anticipation of a US sponsored attack. Since early 2005, there has been intense shuttle diplomacy between Washington, Tel Aviv, Ankara and NATO headquarters in Brussels. In recent developments, CIA Director Porter Goss on a mission to Ankara, requested Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to provide political and logistic support for air strikes against Iranian nuclear and military targets. Goss reportedly asked for special cooperation from Turkish intelligence to help prepare and monitor the operation. (DDP, 30 December 2005). In turn, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has given the green light to the Israeli Armed Forces to launch the attacks by the end of March: All top Israeli officials have pronounced the end of March, 2006, as the deadline for launching a military assault on Iran The end of March date also coincides with the IAEA report to the UN on Iran's nuclear energy program. Israeli policymakers believe that their threats may influence the report, or at least force the kind of ambiguities, which can be exploited by its overseas supporters to promote Security Council sanctions or justify Israeli military action. (James Petras, Israel's War Deadline: Iran in the Crosshairs, Global Research, December 2005) The US sponsored military plan has been endorsed by NATO, although it is unclear, at this stage, as to the nature of NATO's involvement in the planned aerial attacks. Shock and Awe The various components of the military operation are firmly under US Command, coordinated by the Pentagon and US Strategic Command Headquarters (USSTRATCOM) at the Offutt Air Force base in Nebraska. The actions announced by Israel would be carried out in close coordination with the Pentagon. The command structure of the operation is centralized and ultimately Washington will decide when to launch the military operation. US military sources have confirmed that an aerial attack on Iran would involve a large scale deployment comparable to the US shock and awe bombing raids on Iraq in March 2003: American air strikes on Iran would vastly exceed the scope of the 1981 Israeli attack on the Osiraq nuclear center in Iraq, and would more resemble the opening days of the 2003 air campaign against Iraq. Using the full force of operational B-2 stealth bombers, staging from Diego Garcia or flying direct from the United States, possibly supplemented by F-117 stealth fighters staging from al Udeid in Qatar or some other location in theater, the two-dozen suspect nuclear sites would be targeted. Military planners could tailor their target list to reflect the preferences of the Administration by having limited air strikes that would target only the most crucial facilities ... or the United States could opt for a far more comprehensive set of strikes against a comprehensive range of WMD related targets, as well as conventional and unconventional forces that might be used to counterattack against US forces in Iraq (See Globalsecurity.org at http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iran-strikes.htm In November, US Strategic Command conducted a major exercise of a global strike plan entitled Global Lightening. The latter involved a simulated attack using both conventional and nuclear weapons against a fictitious enemy. Following the Global Lightening exercise, US Strategic Command declared an advanced state of readiness (See our analysis below) While Asian press reports stated that the fictitious enemy in the Global Lightening exercise was North Korea, the timing of the exercises, suggests that they were conducted in anticipation of a planned attack on Iran. Consensus for Nuclear War No dissenting political voices have emerged from within the European Union. There are ongoing consultations between Washington, Paris and Berlin. Contrary to the invasion of Iraq, which was opposed at the diplomatic level by France and Germany, Washington has been building a consensus both within the Atlantic Alliance and the UN Security Council. This consensus pertains to the conduct of a nuclear war, which could potentially affect a large part of the Middle East Central Asian region. Moreover, a number of frontline Arab states are now tacit partners in the US/ Israeli military project. A year ago in November 2004, Israel's top military brass met at NATO headqaurters in Brtussels with their counterparts from six members of the Mediterranean basin
Re: [Biofuel] Intro / Question
Hi Doug, Thanks for your input! I am going to call around to see what people are generally using. The house is a story and a half double-brick construction built in 1952, an era when energy costs were not a concern. Not too shabby! Our house was built in 1896 by some Italian immigrants that used to run a meat store. Anyways, long story, shorter, they built this house and didn't have a lot of money so they used wood shavings that the meat was packed in.. Cubic yards of shavings fill the walls and really don't do much for keeping the heat in. Just buy a few extra sweaters and eat more :) I can handle that. :-) Dave __ Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Ariel Sharon - Robert Fisk
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11479.htm Ariel Sharon Israel's Prime Minister was a ruthless military commander responsible for one of the most shocking war crimes of the 20th century, argues Robert Fisk. President George Bush acclaims Ariel Sharon as 'a man of peace', yet the blood that was shed at Sabra and Chatila remains a stain on the conscience of the Zionist nation. As Sharon lies stricken in his hospital bed, his political career over, how will history judge him? By Robert Fisk 01/06/05 The Independent -- -- I shook hands with him once, a brisk, no-nonsense soldier's grip from Sharon as he finished a review of the vicious Phalangist militiamen who stood in the barracks square at Karantina in Beirut. Who would have thought, I asked myself then, that this same bunch of murderers - the men who butchered their way through the Palestinian Sabra and Chatila refugee camps only a few weeks earlier - had their origins in the Nazi Olympics of 1936. That's when old Pierre Gemayel - still alive and standing stiffly to attention for Sharon - watched the order of Nazi Germany and proposed to bring some of this order to Lebanon. That's what Gemayel told me himself. Did Sharon not understand this. Of course, he must have done. Back on 18 September that same year, Loren Jenkins of The Washington Post and Karsten Tveit of Norwegian television and I had clambered over the piled corpses of Chatila - of raped and eviscerated women and their husbands and children and brothers - and Jenkins, knowing that the Isrealis had sat around the camps for two nights watching this filth, shrieked Sharon! in anger and rage. He was right. Sharon it was who sent the Phalange into the camps on the night of 16 September - to hunt for terrorists, so he claimed at the time. The subsequent Israeli Kahan commission of enquiry into this atrocity provided absolute proof that Israeli soldiers saw the massacre taking place. The evidence of a Lieutenant Avi Grabovsky was crucial. He was an Israeli deputy tank commander and reported what he saw to his higher command. Don't interfere, the senior officer said. Ever afterwards, Israeli embassies around the world would claim that the commission held Sharon only indirectly responsible for the massacre. It was untrue. The last page of the official Israeli report held Sharon personally responsible. It was years later that the Israeli-trained Phalangist commander, Elie Hobeika, now working for the Syrians, agreed to turn state's evidence against Sharon - now the Israeli Prime Minister - at a Brussels court. The day after the Israeli attorney general declared Sharon's defence a state matter, Hobeika was killed by a massive car bomb in east Beirut. Israel denied responsibility. US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld traveled to Brussels and quietly threatened to withdraw Nato headquarters from Belgium if the country maintained its laws to punish war criminals from foreign nations. Within months, George W Bush had declared Sharon a man of peace. It was all over. In the end, Sharon got away with it, even when it was proved that he had, the night before the Phalangists attacked the civilians of the camp, publicly blamed the Palestinians for the murder of their leader, President-elect Bashir Gemayel. Sharon told these ruthless men that the Palestinians had killed their beloved chief. Then he sent them in among the civilian sheep - and claimed later he could never have imagined what they would do in Chatila. Only years later was it proved that hundreds of Palestinians who survived the original massacre were interrogated by the Israelis and then handed back to the murderers to be slaughtered over the coming weeks. So it is as a war criminal that Sharon will be known forever in the Arab world, through much of the Western world, in fact - save, of course, for the craven men in the White House and the State Department and the Blair Cabinet - as well as many leftist Israelis. Sabra and Chatila was a crime against humanity. Its dead counted more than half the fatalities of the World Trade Centre attacks of 2001. But the man who was responsible was a man of peace. It was he who claimed that the preposterous Yasser Arafat was a Palestinian bin Laden. He it was who as Israeli foreign minister opposed Nato's war in Kosovo, inveighing against Islamic terror in Kosovo. The moment that Israel expresses support...it's likely to be the next victim. Imagine that one day Arabs in Galilee demand that the region in which they live be recognised as an autonomous area, connected to the Palestinian Authority... Ah yes, Sharon as an ally of another war criminal, Slobodan Milosevic. There must be no Albanian state in Kosovo. Ever since he was elected in 2001 - and especially since his withdrawal of settlements from the rubbish tip of Gaza last year, a step which would, according to his spokesman, turn any plans for a Palestinian state in the
