Link Sounds Interesting. Grad Student Believes Wood May Replace Oil Wed Aug 3,11:08 PM ET MOSCOW, Idaho - A University of Idaho graduate student believes the answer to the world's crude oil crisis grows on trees. Juan Andres Soria says he has developed a process that turns wood into bio-oil, a substance similar to crude oil. ADVERTISEMENT The process — in which sawdust and methanol are heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit to create the bio-oil — is already drawing some interest from energy and wood product companies, Soria said. "But because it's quite novel, there's a bit of reserve," he said. Soria is testing his theory with the help of Armando McDonald, associate professor of wood chemistry and composites in the University of Idaho's College of Natural Resources. Though the idea may sound far-fetched, Soria and McDonald say the theory has precedent in nature — coal is the result of trees being subjected to high amounts of heat and pressure. "We're trying to speed up the process," McDonald said. "Rather than doing it in millions of years, can we do it in minutes?" So far, Soria's research has focused on sawdust from Ponderosa pine trees, although he said any variety of tree could be used, including fast-growing varieties like those being cultivated for wood pulp. Only about 2 percent of the mass is lost in the heating process, he said. After the bio-oil is produced, he separates it by boiling points, or grades. So far, he said, he's identified oil grades that could someday replace gasoline, tar, glues and resins that make things like lawn furniture. Ponderosa pine sawdust is only the beginning, Soria and McDonald claim. Next, they will begin testing to see if they can get bio-oil from pine needles and bark. The two are doing the research without grant money. Soria plans to use the research in his dissertation for his doctorate. If the private sector likes the idea enough to back it financially, Soria said he could put together an industrial-size bio refinery in five years. Still, he said, the bio-oil isn't likely to be an immediate competitor to crude oil. Crude oil currently costs about $60 a barrel, and bio-oil will only be competitive when the cost of crude oil reaches $80 a barrel, Soria said.
I saw this but It is not like Trees are overly abundant Aren't we always fighting to save the trees or something too as much oil as we burn . . .it sounds like a LOT OF TREES Rocket River
solar and wind still seem to be the best bet. If solar energy would be harvested more efficiently it would be great.
That was my initial reaction too. But, the problem with cutting trees for lumber is that you need certain trees that produce good wood. It sounds like any scrub tree is good for this thing. So, it might be possible to have a farm of fast-growing trees that replenishes itself fast enough. Maybe.
I was just in Canada where I had a long conversation about windmills with some folks who lived nearby a windfarm. Basically, they and everybody else hates windmills...in their backyard. Apparently the things are loud (in a quite way) and are dangerous if ice or broken parts fly off the blades. Plus they only have about a 10 year life span and they never include decommision costs. So the things will just sit there. Oh, and did I mention they are ugly. These are all valid points. Worldwide, wherever people want to put these up, residents fight against them. Intresting. Solar Energy is one thing but wind energy doesn't sound like a real solution just yet. If this "wood oil" can be produced from bamboo or pine needles, then it might actually be viable.
Am I really the only one who snickered when reading the thread title " Wood Oil ? " I swear, no matter how old I get.................
I think we need to build a big ol geothermal conversion plant in Yellowstone. The magma there has so much energy it's going to create a supervolcano and destroy the whole damn state some day anyway. Maybe you could use enough energy over a thousand years or so that you could delay the volcano.
i completely agree everything else is salve and maybe a band aid not a long term solution Rocket River
not to Andymoon on ya but We could cut our consumption of tree drastically by growing industrial Hemp. It grows very fast and is easily replacable. . . used in things from paper to jeans [I had a nice hat made out of industrial hemp once] Rocket River
How about if we use the oceanic tides as an energy source? As the ocean tides rise, they could fill large reservoirs with water. The weight and pressure of the water in the newly-filled reservoirs could then be converted to electrical energy. When the tides lower, and after all the energy has been pulled from the filled reservoirs, they could empty themselves and then wait for the tides to rise again, starting the cycle all over. Perpetual energy.
Tidal generators already exist but you have to trap huge amounts of water to generate any power... there is little head pressure to generate electricity. Also, plants grow at virtually the same rate when it comes to weight. Bamboo might grow 10 feet per year while oak grows 6 inches but you end up with roughly the same mass.
Our Greatest Modern President: "A tree is a tree. How many more do you have to look at?" Ronald Reagan (1966) "Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do." Ronald Reagan (1981)
Ya Ocean and ground heat in some places might work too if they can figure out cost effective ways of harvesting the energy.
