Re: [Biofuel] Dropping Fruit and Compost Tea
Hello Chris hi, robert. >> That's correct. I have two peach trees in the back that were planted from seed, a Douglas Fir that began life as a seed, and two surviving aspen trees I dug up as seedlings from a place in the mountains called Kingsvale. All the other trees came from various garden centers nearby.<< uh-huh. this could almost be a classic case study. transplanting is less of a shock to a seedling than to a more fully developed plant, which will lose far more root mass. and the environmental adjustment for the nursery plant is likely to be more difficult as well. >>The reason I keep coming here for advice, is that everyone who is local seems to suffer from the "put a chemical in your soil" mentality. Everything I learned in my adult life suggests that the long term health of my plants rests in soil biology, not in its chemistry. Healthy soil should produce healthy plants. That's where I've been devoting my efforts.<< i don't like the knee-jerk recourse of chemicals either. but don't make the mistake of thinking that biology and chemistry are mutually exclusive. I don't think that's a very common mistake, or at least not from the biological side. I suppose you do get the knee-jerk reaction at times (aarghh! chemicals! LOL!), but that's just ignorant. After all, the critters have to eat something (apart from each other), and as with all biology they're an integral part of their environment. From the chemistry side, however, it's not only a common mistake, it's been the rule in the agriculture industry since Justus von Liebig's day right up to the present to see chemicals to the exclusion of all else, to *reduce* essentially biological questions to *mere* chemicals. This has been an incalculable disaster. certain chemical factors can have a huge impact on soil biology. to whit, the various suggestions of seaweed, or seawater, etc., that some people have made; If you look at seaweed or seawater chemically you'll probably see a bunch of minerals and that's it - add them and all will be well. However, sea minerals are chelated, not quite the same as pure minerals, at least not from the all-important point of view of soil micro-organisms and plant roots, and they come in the ideal forms and ratios t'other to which. Seaweed contains much more than just the minerals, there are also growth factors and much besides. Fiddling with individual minerals (chemicals) in a soil can be rather futile. There's the famous case of the chemists who synthesised seawater, chemically perfect it was, they said. They seemed undeterred by the fact that fish died in it. soil amendments whose value lies partly in the minerals they provide. soil pH would be another example. it not only affects how certain plants will grow, but micro-organisms as well. Have a look at this: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/msg51044.html Re: [Biofuel] BAD LYE?? Scroll down to what it says about Albrecht of Missouri, concerning potassium and sodium etc. but, bottom line, the soil is the key. Indeed. Best wishes Keith -chris ___ 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] 'Record Volume Rise' in World Energy Consumption
http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/061505EC.shtml t r u t h o u t - 'Record Volume Rise' in World Energy Consumption By Thomas Catan Financial Times.com Tuesday 14 June 2005 World energy consumption surged 4.3 per cent last year, the biggest percentage rise since 1984 and the largest volume increase ever, according to new figures from BP, the oil company. Burning fossil fuels at a faster rate also resulted in the largest absolute increase in carbon emissions, adding to the stock of "greenhouse gases" blamed for global warming. BP's annual statistical review, released on Tuesday, showed that the fast-growing economies of Asia were responsible for a large portion of the rise. China's fuel consumption rose by 15.1 per cent and India's by 7.2 per cent. Global consumption of oil also rose by 3.4 per cent, or 2.5m barrels a day, the biggest increase since 1978. Some 900,000 b/d of that increase in demand came from China, but BP said the demand also rose strongly across virtually every region. "Overall, the growth of global oil demand has outstripped oil production capacity growth, reducing the level of spare capacity," said David Allen, group managing director of BP. "That has been the fundamental cause of the oil price increases we've seen over the last two years." The average oil price in 2004 was $38 a barrel, BP said, up from $29 a barrel in 2003 and the highest ever figure expressed in "money-of-the-day". The oil price has averaged about $49 a barrel so far this year. At the same time, Britain and Australia suffered large falls in oil production they pumped 10 per cent and 13.9 per cent less respectively. Even so, BP said there was no shortage of available energy resources. At present production rates and without taking into account future discoveries, the world has enough oil to last 40 years and enough natural gas to last 60 years, according to BP. Lord Browne, chief executive of BP, said last week he expected world oil prices to remain at more than $40 a barrel until new supplies came on stream in the next three to four years. ___ 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] Baseline Data
I have now refilled the 1990 Chev Cheyenne pickup (2WD, 6.2 litre diesel) for the first time. Based on 70.5 litres consumed and 651.8 km (per trip odometer), the fuel consumption is 10.8 litres/100 km. In U.S. figures, that's 21.8 mpg (U.S. gallons). Odometer is believed to be accurate, it measured within 1/10th km (minimum resolution with both odometers used) with another vehicle on a measured trip just over 60 km in length. I found the U.S. EPA figures for this vehicle when new. (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm) 22 mpg hwy, 17 mpg city, 19 mpg combined. My driving (my guess) over this 2-week period was 5% gravel roads, 50% hwy, 45% city. I do drive to avoid stop and go driving and stopped at idle as much as possible. Over 50% of driving time included hauling loads ranging from 350 to 900 kg (550 to 2000 pounds). It rode best with about 600 kg (1300 pounds) on board. I expect this to be typical of my driving in the future, which will be predominantly in the warmer half of the year. As I am getting 99% of the highway rated fuel economy in my combined driving (or 15% better than the EPA rating for combined city/hwy driving) in a 15-year-old vehicle, I am presuming I don't need to have any additional engine work done at this time to bring the vehicle up to good running order. Anyone know enough about these trucks/engines to advise otherwise? 176,000 km on the odometer. (110,000 miles). Just broken in according to one mechanic I had inspect it prior to purchase. Future steps include working on aerodynamic drag losses (either by covering the bed or replacing the solid tailgate with a net-type - suggestions?, and banging out some dents in the box body panels), and switching to home-brewed biodiesel, in separate steps. Order yet to be determined. Does this seem like a valid baseline for future comparisons? Any other suggestions on reducing overall fuel consumption for this vehicle? Where should I install an additional fuel filter on this vehicle to capture the 15 years of gunk that will start dislodging when I start running BD in the system (for convenience and effectiveness)? -- Darryl McMahon http://www.econogics.com/ It's your planet. If you won't look after it, who will? ___ 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] Dropping Fruit and Compost Tea
yes, more or less, but the plant has still expended considerable energy in producing the fruit, even if abortively. whereas, if you can inhibit the plant from even trying to fruit, it will spend its energy on enhancing its foliage and/or roots. or it might just build up a bit of a reserve. also, if i may, i'd like again to emphasize addressing the issue of the clay substrate. the vertical mulching which i previously suggested can make such a huge difference. i saw a study once which showed that, in a side-by-side comparison, vertical mulching was more effective (dramatically more so, in fact) at improving plant productivity than mycorhizzae supplements. and it will only enhance any efforts made at building a topsoil layer. -chris -Original Message-From: robert luis rabello <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.orgSent: Sun, 19 Jun 2005 21:02:13 -0700Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Dropping Fruit and Compost Tea [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > something which might be very helpful would be to apply a growth regulator to > inhibit fruit production. i'm pretty sure there are > organic/organic-compatible ones out there. this will allow the plant to focus on developing its roots > and foliage. Interesting. Isn't the dropping of fruit a natural means of this very thing? robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=9782> Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ 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] Dropping Fruit and Compost Tea
hi, robert. >> That's correct. I have two peach trees in the back that were planted from seed, a Douglas Fir that began life as a seed, and two surviving aspen trees I dug up as seedlings from a place in the mountains called Kingsvale. All the other trees came from various garden centers nearby.<< uh-huh. this could almost be a classic case study. transplanting is less of a shock to a seedling than to a more fully developed plant, which will lose far more root mass. and the environmental adjustment for the nursery plant is likely to be more difficult as well. >>The reason I keep coming here for advice, is that everyone who is local seems to suffer from the "put a chemical in your soil" mentality. Everything I learned in my adult life suggests that the long term health of my plants rests in soil biology, not in its chemistry. Healthy soil should produce healthy plants. That's where I've been devoting my efforts.<< i don't like the knee-jerk recourse of chemicals either. but don't make the mistake of thinking that biology and chemistry are mutually exclusive. certain chemical factors can have a huge impact on soil biology. to whit, the various suggestions of seaweed, or seawater, etc., that some people have made; soil amendments whose value lies partly in the minerals they provide. soil pH would be another example. it not only affects how certain plants will grow, but micro-organisms as well. but, bottom line, the soil is the key. -chris ___ 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] Re: solar tracking devices -- attn: Kieth
Thank you very much Kieth! Mike --- Keith Addison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi Mike > > >The reason I've been doing so much cost analysis is > because I was > >issued a patent for a tracking device in May. > > Well done Mike! > > >After five years of work and all of my disposable > income, I finally > >have something to show for it. When finished, it > will be able to > >acquire the position of the sun and track it from > any orientation. > >It will be able to accommodate either a mirror for > reflecting solar > >energy, or a solar panel for directly converting > solar energy to > >electricity or heat. For more information, see the > USPTO link below. > > > >Self-powered intermittent moving light tracking > device and method > > > >http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1 > > >&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=redler&OS > > >=redler&RS=redler > > Very nice too. > > May I recommend this? > > http://www.geocities.com/adilbookz/Utilities/tinyurlcode.html > Tiny URL > > Or this: > > http://snipurl.com/ > SnipURL - Snippetty snip snip with your long URLs! > > >I hesitated to let people know about it because I > wanted to have a > >prototype ready first. I think a patent is a lot > less convincing > >without proof that it works. > > > >However, I have the documentation for a prototype > almost complete > >and plan to have a working (commercialized) model > ready in > >about four to six weeks. My reason for sharing this > info early is to > >push myself to work against a deadline. > > :-) We'll be your spurs. "A goal is a dream with a > deadline" (sorry, > I've forgotten who said it). > > >Kieth: I don't know if this is appropriate, but > eventually I will be > >looking for people to help me commercialize the > device. My personal > >ambitions include taking the technology to > developing countries to > >put it to good use. If you think that this forum is > not the place > >to solicit help for this project, please let me > know. If you feel > >this email contains information that is > inappropriate in any way, I > >apologize. > > No problem, go right ahead. > > Best wishes > > Keith Addison > Journey to Forever > KYOTO Pref., Japan > http://journeytoforever.org/ > Biofuel list owner > > > >Mike > > > >des <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > >Michael Redler wrote: > > > > > OK folks. For what its worth, here is another > crack at it. > > > > > > 1 square meter panel = 1000W * .10 (split the > difference between 8 and > > > 12) = 100W > > > 100W * $5.00/W = $500.00 per panel > > > 100W * .30 = energy gained using tracker, based > on previous reference > > > = 30W > > > Equivalent value of PV panel = 30W * $5.00 = > $150.00 > > > > > > so > > > > > > I guess in order to compete with the cost of PV, > we need a tracker for > > > a 1sq meter panel that costs $150.00 or less. > > > > > > Mike > > > >Got my tracker information and a module from Duane > Johnson at > >http://www.redrok.com/main.htm that lets me track > the sun by its > >position, stops tracking when there are too many > clouds... etc. Good > >knowledgeable guy to discuss this sort of thing > with. Good information > >on building! your own tracking system for next to > nothing if you've got a > >basement full of "stuff that is just too good to > throw away". > > > >hope you enjoy his site, I always do. > > > >doug swanson > > > ___ > 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] vegetable oils prices in Greece
Sure! As I'm planning to start a biodiesel company in Belgium, I can give you the prices I got as an answer on my price request. Price for purified rapeseed oil Belgium: 585eur/ton Netherlands: 578eur/ton Morokko: 680eur/ton China: 768eur/ton Sunflower oil: Belgium: more than 600eur/ton Spain: 636eur/ton Morokko: 730eur/ton I think this can already give you a tought on what the prices might be in your country. All prices are exclusive VAT. I hope I could help you on this. Best regards, Gregory Petit >- Oorspronkelijk bericht - >Van: Stelios Terzakis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Verzonden: maandag, juni 20, 2005 01:34 PM >Aan: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org >Onderwerp: [Biofuel] vegetable oils prices in Greece > >Can someone provide my with an estimation of prices for vegetable oils in >Greece capable to produce biodiesel that meet EN 14214 specifications? > >Thanks > >Stelios ___ 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] vegetable oils prices in Greece
EN 14214 - Automotive fuels. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for diesel engines. Requirements and test methodsTabella elaborata e tradotta dal CTI a solo scopo dimostrativo. L'unico documento valido è il testo originale EN acquistabile presso l'UNI Caratteristica Unità di misura Valori Metodo di misura Min Max Contenuto di esteri % (m/m) 96.5 EN 14103 Densità a 15°C kg/m^3 860 900 EN ISO 3675EN ISO 12185 Viscosità a 40 °C mm^2/s 3.50 5.00 EN ISO 3104 Flash point °C 120 prEN ISO 3679 Zolfo mg/kg 10.0 prEN ISO 20846prEN ISO 20884 Residuo carbonioso % (m/m) 0.30 EN ISO 10370 Numero di cetano 51.0 EN ISO 5165 Ceneri solforate % (m/m) 0.02 ISO 3987 Contenuto di acqua mg/kg 500 EN ISO 12937 Contaminazione totale mg/kg 24 EN 12662 Corrosione su rame Classe 1 EN ISO 2160 Stabilità all'ossidazione, 110 °C h (ore) 6.0 EN 14112 Acidità mg KOH/g 0.5 EN 14104 Numero di Iodio gr I2/100 gr 120 EN 14111 Metil estere dell'acido linolenico % (m/m) 12.0 EN 14103 Metilesteri polinsaturi >= 4 doppi legami % (m/m) 1 Metanolo % (m/m) 0.20 EN 14110 Monogliceridi % (m/m) 0.80 EN 14105 Digliceridi % (m/m) 0.20 EN 14105 Trigliceridi % (m/m) 0.20 EN 14105 Glicerolo libero % (m/m) 0.02 EN 14105EN 14106 Glicerolo totale % (m/m) 0.25 EN 14105 Metalli gruppo I (Na+K) mg/kg 5.0 EN 14108EN 14109 Metalli gruppo II (Ca+Mg) mg/kg 5.0 EN 14538 Fosforo mg/kg 10.0 EN 14107 I sand you this table, the values are ok in everywhere. Bye!!! Ezio> Can someone provide my with an estimation of prices for vegetable oils in Greece capable to produce biodiesel that meet EN 14214 specifications? > > Thanks > > Stelios Navighi a 4 MEGA e i primi 3 mesi sono GRATIS. Scegli Libero Adsl Flat senza limiti su http://www.libero.it ___ 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] vegetable oils prices in Greece
I doubt if there is any sound production of rapeseed oil in Greece .If you want to see actual prices you can use www.oilworld.de for indication of prices . Julian Stelios Terzakis napisał(a): Can someone provide my with an estimation of prices for vegetable oils in Greece capable to produce biodiesel that meet EN 14214 specifications? Thanks Stelios ___ 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/ begin:vcard fn:ProS Julian Pasternak n:Julian Pasternak;ProS adr;quoted-printable;dom:;;Wyzwolenia 104;Wis=C5=82a;;43-460 email;internet:[EMAIL PROTECTED] tel;work:48 606506134 tel;fax:033 8552552 tel;cell:606506134 version:2.1 end:vcard ___ 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] Dropping Fruit and Compost Tea
Keith Addison wrote: Don't use too much. It's just a shot in the arm though. Mainly, more and better compost, and patience. You started from nothing, you're not doing too badly. One thing that I'm learning in all of this, is that impatience can often compound problems. I'll go easy on the seawater. I should be grateful that my property is relatively small. At this point, I would find an acreage overwhelming. Once I gain experience I might be more comfortable working with a bigger piece of land. Quite a difference, depending on which type of nitrogen it is. The effect on the soil life will be different, though if it's very smelly, your barn litter tea might kill earthworms just as readily as ammonium sulphate will. Hmmm. . . I certainly don't want to go there! However, fresh barn litter is not the same as good aerobic compost, not chemically and especially not biologically, and the tea you make from them is quite different. With good compost tea you're supplying very large amounts of a tremendous variety of beneficial soil micro-organisms along with the nutrients *they* need - that they're also plant nutrients is somewhat by the way. This stuff you can spray on the leaves too as a foliar fertilizer, with great benefit. Here you're talking of up to 25,000 different types of bugs, with the anaerobic stuff you're using you might get 80 or so, not all of them nice. I have a wide variety of "aged" composts at my disposal. The material I'm using for tea right now was quite a bit more fresh than I'd like, but only because the area behind the auction house barn was so muddy when I went back there I was afraid I'd get stuck! The "good stuff" has been sitting outside for a couple of years and has a rather pleasant aroma. It's full of creeping things, too. If you have or can get some good compost, put some in a bucket of water, stir it well and use an aquarium aerator with a bubble-stone to aerate it for a day. Stir it up again a few times too. Then strain and use. Ah, I've been just taking the liquid off the top and not aerating at all! This will require additional engineering. If you don't have or can't get good compost, LEARN TO MAKE IT!!! Our backyard composter works astonishingly well. Some unscrupulous person put a phone book into it a few months ago, and to my amazement, it's actually breaking down! (I thought I'd leave it in there for interest's sake, though I've taken off the color cover.) The compost pile regularly disintegrates newspaper from the bottom of our bunny cage, but then, that paper is often soaked with rabbit urine. The garden is SO BIG, however, that I depend on two or three truck loads of composted barn litter twice a year. It's working, but soil remediation takes time and I was VERY discouraged when our trees dropped their fruit. Not only that, they're the only ones who can do a proper job. Well, they've been busy doing that for a few million years now. I suppose I'll have to defer to their experience! robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=9782> Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ 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] vegetable oils prices in Greece
Can someone provide my with an estimation of prices for vegetable oils in Greece capable to produce biodiesel that meet EN 14214 specifications? Thanks Stelios ___ 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] Dropping Fruit and Compost Tea
Hello Robert Last week I noticed that every fruit tree in my yard, aside from the very hardy, multi-variety apple that grows in the back, has dropped all its fruit. At first we suspected a malicious neighbor, for we've had vandalism in the past, but closer inspection reveals that the cherries, plums and pears either withered and dropped off, or simply broke neatly from the tree stems and fell on the ground. The trees do not seem damaged in the least. Now, we have far more vigorous growth this year than has ever been the case. Most of our trees look very healthy. The pest infestation I've been battling has been primarily limited to a single plum tree and a red currant bush, with a few caterpillars attacking the apple tree. We had a handful of cherries last year, but this year we'll have none. My wife's best friend, a woman who worked for many years in a garden center before she undertook teacher training, thinks we need to apply borax to the soil around our trees. However, she also thinks that I'm expecting too much from trees that haven't seen their third full year since planting. I think I'm going to try the seawater technique. . . Don't use too much. It's just a shot in the arm though. Mainly, more and better compost, and patience. You started from nothing, you're not doing too badly. Last year we had the most pathetic corn crop I'd ever seen! The plants looked stunted and yellow. Some of the hardier ones survived, only to produce small, stringy, bland cobs that ended up in soup because none of us could stand the flavor. Last fall, I loaded the soil with barn litter and watched a full crop of Stellaria Media spring up. My sweetheart thinks this stuff is a weed, but I noticed that once the "chickweed" came along, birds began to follow. Somebody once told me that Stellaria Media fixes nitrogen, and I HAVE noticed round nodules in its root structure, but I've found no evidence that this is so. I put more of the composted barn litter on the garden this spring, and it looks like we have several centimeters of decent topsoil developing now. In order to help our corn along, I've obtained a pail of fresh barn litter, which I subsequently filled with water. I've drawn very smelly "tea" from the top of this container and poured a small amount near each corn plant. The yellow leaves we've seen have disappeared, and the plants seem to be growing well. This seems counterproductive to my overall strategy, however, because I'm feeding the plant and not the soil. After all, what's the qualitative difference between doing this and adding commercial nitrogen fertilizer to the soil? Quite a difference, depending on which type of nitrogen it is. The effect on the soil life will be different, though if it's very smelly, your barn litter tea might kill earthworms just as readily as ammonium sulphate will. However, fresh barn litter is not the same as good aerobic compost, not chemically and especially not biologically, and the tea you make from them is quite different. With good compost tea you're supplying very large amounts of a tremendous variety of beneficial soil micro-organisms along with the nutrients *they* need - that they're also plant nutrients is somewhat by the way. This stuff you can spray on the leaves too as a foliar fertilizer, with great benefit. Here you're talking of up to 25,000 different types of bugs, with the anaerobic stuff you're using you might get 80 or so, not all of them nice. If you have or can get some good compost, put some in a bucket of water, stir it well and use an aquarium aerator with a bubble-stone to aerate it for a day. Stir it up again a few times too. Then strain and use. Full instructions (from a message I sent another list where they were saying you need to buy a special stirring machine to make compost tea): I've been doing this for quite a long time, and the only equipment I use is an aquarium aerator, for a home-size fish tank, with a bubble-stone (lots of little bubbles). Use compost (aerobic-thermophilic or vermicompost), add some local topsoil and molasses; I also usually add some liquid seaweed solution (SM3 or Maxicrop), which helps, but it's not essential. Use a 5-gallon bucket or bigger, use fresh water if you can, throw in the stone (if it doesn't sink to the bottom put a weight on it), and that's it. Next day it's ready. It shouldn't need stirring - the aerator I use is quite strong and sets up enough circulation to keep the mixture sufficiently stirred, but if you want to stir it now and then that certainly won't hurt. Filter it through a pair of women's tights, and use. Use it quickly, don't store it. An ordinary fish-tank aerator with a bubble-stone should be quite sufficient for at least 10 gallons or more, IMO. If you don't have or can't get good compost, LEARN TO MAKE IT!!! http://journeytoforever.org/compost.html Composting I really would prefer building u
Re: [Biofuel] Re: solar tracking devices -- attn: Kieth
Hi Mike The reason I've been doing so much cost analysis is because I was issued a patent for a tracking device in May. Well done Mike! After five years of work and all of my disposable income, I finally have something to show for it. When finished, it will be able to acquire the position of the sun and track it from any orientation. It will be able to accommodate either a mirror for reflecting solar energy, or a solar panel for directly converting solar energy to electricity or heat. For more information, see the USPTO link below. Self-powered intermittent moving light tracking device and method http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1 &u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=redler&OS =redler&RS=redler Very nice too. May I recommend this? http://www.geocities.com/adilbookz/Utilities/tinyurlcode.html Tiny URL Or this: http://snipurl.com/ SnipURL - Snippetty snip snip with your long URLs! I hesitated to let people know about it because I wanted to have a prototype ready first. I think a patent is a lot less convincing without proof that it works. However, I have the documentation for a prototype almost complete and plan to have a working (commercialized) model ready in about four to six weeks. My reason for sharing this info early is to push myself to work against a deadline. :-) We'll be your spurs. "A goal is a dream with a deadline" (sorry, I've forgotten who said it). Kieth: I don't know if this is appropriate, but eventually I will be looking for people to help me commercialize the device. My personal ambitions include taking the technology to developing countries to put it to good use. If you think that this forum is not the place to solicit help for this project, please let me know. If you feel this email contains information that is inappropriate in any way, I apologize. No problem, go right ahead. Best wishes Keith Addison Journey to Forever KYOTO Pref., Japan http://journeytoforever.org/ Biofuel list owner Mike des <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Michael Redler wrote: > OK folks. For what its worth, here is another crack at it. > > 1 square meter panel = 1000W * .10 (split the difference between 8 and > 12) = 100W > 100W * $5.00/W = $500.00 per panel > 100W * .30 = energy gained using tracker, based on previous reference > = 30W > Equivalent value of PV panel = 30W * $5.00 = $150.00 > > so > > I guess in order to compete with the cost of PV, we need a tracker for > a 1sq meter panel that costs $150.00 or less. > > Mike Got my tracker information and a module from Duane Johnson at http://www.redrok.com/main.htm that lets me track the sun by its position, stops tracking when there are too many clouds... etc. Good knowledgeable guy to discuss this sort of thing with. Good information on building! your own tracking system for next to nothing if you've got a basement full of "stuff that is just too good to throw away". hope you enjoy his site, I always do. doug swanson ___ 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] Re: solar tracking devices -- attn: Kieth
"It better be BOMBPROOF..." Thanks Mel. I'll keep you posted. MikeMel Riser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: well, depending on the construction, reliability and cost, we may be interested. We install quite a few trackers and arrays, and I can tell this. It better be BOMBPROOF, as once you put several 1000 watts on top it gets heavy and the wind load is severe. We tried a bunch of others, but only use the Wattsun tracker these days. mel -Original Message- From: Michael Redler [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sun 6/19/2005 12:55 PM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Cc: Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Re: solar tracking devices -- attn: Kieth The reason I've been doing so much cost analysis is because I was issued a patent for a tracking device in May. After five years of work and all of my disposable income, I finally have something to show for it. When finished, it will be able to acquire the position of the sun and track it from any orientation. It will be able to accommodate either a mirror for reflecting solar energy, or a solar panel for directly converting solar energy to electricity or heat. For more information, see the USPTO link below. Self-powered intermittent moving light tracking device and method http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=redler&OS=redler&RS=redler I hesitated to let people know about it because I wanted to have a prototype ready first. I think a patent is a lot less convincing without proof that it works. However, I have the documentation for a prototype almost complete and plan to have a working (commercialized) model ready in about four to six weeks. My reason for sharing this info early is to push myself to work against a deadline. Kieth: I don't know if this is appropriate, but eventually I will be looking for people to help me commercialize the device. My personal ambitions include taking the technology to developing countries to put it to good use. If you think that this forum is not the place to solicit help for this project, please let me know. If you feel this email contains information that is inappropriate in any way, I apologize. Mike des <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Michael Redler wrote:> OK folks. For what its worth, here is another crack at it.> > 1 square meter panel = 1000W * .10 (split the difference between 8 and > 12) = 100W> 100W * $5.00/W = $500.00 per panel> 100W * .30 = energy gained using tracker, based on previous reference > = 30W> Equivalent value of PV panel = 30W * $5.00 = $150.00> > so> > I guess in order to compete with the cost of PV, we need a tracker for > a 1sq meter panel that costs $150.00 or less.> > MikeGot my tracker information and a module from Duane Johnson at http://www.redrok.com/main.htm that lets me track the sun by its position, stops tracking when there are too many clouds... etc. Good knowledgeable guy to discuss this sort of thing with. Good information on building your own tracking system for next to nothing if you've got a basement full of "stuff that is just too good to throw away".hope you enjoy his site, I always do.doug swanson___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 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 on Spike TeeVee Trucks show
Hi Kim, Sorry to be late getting back with you. I didn't find you message until yesterday when I was tidying up my e-mail. Somehow it got moved around. That seems to happen from time to time. You can contact me offlist about the conversion. Sincerely, Gregg Garth & Kim Travis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Greetings,I can convert VHS to DVD easily. That is as long as their is no copyright interference. The DVDs are actually clearer that the original VHS.Bright Blessings,KimAt 05:17 PM 6/16/2005, you wrote: Hi Mel, I was just talking to my lab partner about the Fuel Meister earlier today. I told her that you could probably get all the assorted parts & put one together yourself for a lot less than the price they want. I'm trying to get things in order at my end to make a BD reactor from a water heater. While I've located a local sourse for methanol, my main constraint is space or the lack of it, but I've heard that it's better to use a tall water heater rather than the shorter ones. So many decisions!!! As to the mini-DV tape or DVD, I have some equipment to transfer VHS to DVD, but I have only tried it once, with not much luck. I'll see what I can come up with & let you know. Respectfully,GreggMel Riser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I am not sure if it was junk. It seemdd to work and the titration charts and examples they had seemd clear and easy. Even had a water wash option. Whether fule meister is worth the 3000 they are advertising it for or whether someone would be more interested in the old water heater batch processor, it DID present BioDiesel in a good light and will spur the imagination of millions of diesel truck owners and that can't be a bad thing. I agree with Gregg, the Show was an A for clarity and clear presentation. Wheter the fuel meister is worth or not depends on how mechanically inclined you are. Most viewers of trucks are wrenchers that make their own stuff and if they can go to Journey to forever and learn how to make the same thing for less than 1000 USD then maybe they will. I wish I had taped as well. Hey Gregg can you make a Mini-DV tape or DVD? I would pay you something for digital files of the show. mel -Original Message- From: Keith Addison [ mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wed 6/15/2005 9:28 PM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Cc: Subject: Re: [Biofuel] BioDiesel on Spike TeeVee Trucks show Hi Gregg, Mel >Hi Mel, > >I saw too. I also taped it for future reference. I did notice one >thing that Stacey failed to mention: Heating the oil. Funny how they fail to mention that. >I know that it's possible to make biodiesel in a blender from virgin >oil, but the stuff he was using looked as though it had "been around >the block" at least once. I'll give the show an "A" for giving the >basics. I've not had any experience with the Fuel Meister, but I >have read some things online that aren't flattering. It's junk. The "instructions" (destructions?) that come with it are also junk - "back to the Dark Ages!", as some have said. See (please do!): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/msg35652.html Re: [biofuel] Best Processer "You could make an excellent processor plus more than 8,000 gallons of high-quality biodiesel for that price." If dear old Rudi would only put anything like the effort he puts into promotion into making a half-decent bit of gear to promote... Don't hold yer breath. >Sincerely, >Gregg Davidson > > >Mel Riser wrote: > >Just saw the Fuel Meister on Trucks! And they didn't drive it into the sea? Pity. >They made a batch of BioDiesel and then put it in the truck and ran it. > >Pretty good show > >Now every Truck freak in the US will know about this. Sounds like the notorious BBC Top Gear show of a few years back - just add a teaspoon of turpentine and you can run your car on veggie oil. Not! But a lot of people believed it, and probably still do. A lot of them wrote to us, very boring! Now we're getting truckies doing the same thing. "... if this fuel works as well as the "trucks" segment said..." :-( >My dad called me last week and some of his buddies in Louisiana ( >where I'm from) are talking BioDiesel and grease cars. Well set him right, eh, Mel? Build your own! http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_processor.html Biodiesel processors And then just do it right: "Where do I start?" http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html#start Best wishes Keith >mel ___ 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
Re: [Biofuel] Reactors - tall or short
Hi Keith, I will take all of this into consideration when I start putting things together. Thanks for the input. Sincerely, GreggKeith Addison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi Gregg>Hi everyone,>>I'm in the planning stage of trying to put together my biodiesel >reactor. I've heard that the taller slimmer water heaters are >usually best, however, I'm a bit cramped for space & would probably >need to go with a shorter one. If anyone has any thoughts, comments, >advice, etc, I would really appreciate the input. I'm also toying >with the idea of modifying a 55 gallon drum to use if possible.Generally I'm not a fan of water heater reactors, excepting Dale's one (the original). Otherwise, not very impressed. But to each his own, as long as it works well.Tall and thin (like me! LOL!) is generally better than short and fat. See what Michael Allen has to say about it:The Design of 'Deepthort'http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_processor8.html#design(The whole page is worth a read, lots of good info.)Have a read of this too:http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_processor10.htmlJourney to Forever 90-litre processorMore good reasons for tall and thin. On the other hand this reactor is about the same proportions as a 55-gallon drum. There is a more ectomorphic tank pictured there too, but the existing one's just fine.These tanks are 90-litre kerosene tanks commonly used for heating water here. Anything similar would do, and they're a lot smaller than a 55-gallon drum. How much fuel do you use? How often will you need to make it?Another consideration is whether you'll use a pump or a stirrer for mixing - either way you'll get better agitation in a tall thin vessel with less danger of unreacted stuff ending up in the final product. With stirrers you can use higher speeds, more efficient paddle design or baffle plates to improve agitation. With pumps the "rose" inlet we use probably solves the problem. (Don't use a 1" clear water pump for a 55 gallon drum, it needs something stronger - max. for the 1" pump is about half that size, 100 litres.)You'll also need a washing tank of the same capacity or more - batch-size plus one-third as much water or more plus headroom. Depending how you want to pre-heat the oil you might also need a pre-heating tank, though not if you'll be relying on electric heating elements in the reactor. We pre-heat the oil in a separate tank (NO methanol around at this stage!) over a biodiesel or by-product burner and transfer the heated oil to the reactor, then use the heating element to maintain the temperature, much cheaper. You could also put a burner under the reactor but not if you're going to put a cone bottom on it or if there are a bunch of outlets and valves there, unless you can avoid frying them somehow.We find a separate settling tank and an extra wash tank are very useful, but you can do without them. Still, this whole set-up fits in a corner, compact and effective, very flexible.HTH.Best wishesKeith>Respectfully,>Gregg Davidson___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/__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.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/
