6 ms·

"Energy of some sort is obviously a major input,..." Unless, of course, the chemical process that converts coal to oil is exothermic, which is not impossible i

by mkn 16y ago

"Energy of some sort is obviously a major input,..." Unless, of course, the chemical process that converts coal to oil is exothermic, which is not impossible in principle. In this case, the energy conversion efficiency would be less than one, but it still might cost less than changing the oil-based infrastructure so that it consumes coal directly.

CWuestefeld 16y ago
Whatever happened to that "thermal depolymerization" process, where scrap turkey guts, etc., were being turned into oil and other stuff? Several years ago I think I read that a pilot plant was being built that was (IIRC) technically successful but ran into problems with smelly emissions. Anybody know what has come of that? UPDATE: partial answer to my own question from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_depolymerization#Status_as_of_February_2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_depolymerization#Status... "...He says the first generation of depolymerization centers will be up and running in 2005. By then it should be clear whether the technology is as miraculous as its backers claim." However, as of August 2008, the only operational plant listed at the company's website is the initial one in Carthage, Missouri. Changing World Technology applied for an IPO on 12 Aug 2008, hoping to raise $100 million. The unusual Dutch Auction type IPO failed possibly because CWT has lost nearly $20 million with very little revenue. CWT, the parent company of Renewable Energy Solutions, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. No details on plans for the Carthage plant have been released. ...which doesn't tell us as much about the technical aspects as it does the business. It may all be tied up in the break-even point for the process, and the amount of government subsidies they've found.

6 ms·

"Energy of some sort is obviously a major input,..." Unless, of course, the chemical process that converts coal to oil is exothermic, which is not impossible i

by mkn 16y ago

CWuestefeld 16y ago
Whatever happened to that "thermal depolymerization" process, where scrap turkey guts, etc., were being turned into oil and other stuff? Several years ago I think I read that a pilot plant was being built that was (IIRC) technically successful but ran into problems with smelly emissions. Anybody know what has come of that? UPDATE: partial answer to my own question from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_depolymerization#Status_as_of_February_2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_depolymerization#Status... "...He says the first generation of depolymerization centers will be up and running in 2005. By then it should be clear whether the technology is as miraculous as its backers claim." However, as of August 2008, the only operational plant listed at the company's website is the initial one in Carthage, Missouri. Changing World Technology applied for an IPO on 12 Aug 2008, hoping to raise $100 million. The unusual Dutch Auction type IPO failed possibly because CWT has lost nearly $20 million with very little revenue. CWT, the parent company of Renewable Energy Solutions, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. No details on plans for the Carthage plant have been released. ...which doesn't tell us as much about the technical aspects as it does the business. It may all be tied up in the break-even point for the process, and the amount of government subsidies they've found.