Mar 3, 2015

Alternative Energy Solutions: Bio-Fuel, Geothermal, Garbage etc.

OTHER ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF METHODS ARE ALSO BEING DEVELOPED TO HARNESS ENERGY

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GEO THERMAL

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BIO FUELS/GAS...

RESEARCHERS HARNESS BACTERIA TO MAKE CLEAN 'BIO-BATTERIES' 

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These bacteria show great potential as microbial fuel cells, where electricity can be generated from the breakdown of domestic or agricultural waste products,” Read more: Researchers Harness Bacteria to Make Clean 'Bio-Batteries' | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building 
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The Biobot 20 has a capacity of 20 liters for each batch. Oil is poured into the reaction chamber, and heated while it is agitated with a hand mixer. Once at temperature, the oil is tested with a provided kit to see if it contains the right amount of free fatty acids as well as determining the right amount of sodium hydroxide catalyst you need. The catalyst is then added to four liters of dry methanol, and mixed until it dissolves and forms sodium methoxide which is stored in a tank and pumped into the reaction chamber.

Oil is again heated and agitated, usually taking 12-24 hours to process. By that time, glycerin has accumulated at the bottom of the tank, and is drained off. The remaining compound is biodiesel that can be added to your gas tank. For cleanup, the Biobot 20 comes equipped with a water spray mister at the top of the tank to help wash the reaction chamber and clear the valves.

The whole contraption costs about $655 USD. The personal value of the Biobot 20 probably depends on the amount of time you can dedicate to creating your own fuel and how much grease your household produces. Four liters of methanol required for refinement costs $3.50 and the sodium hydroxide runs for $0.50. The veggie oil is basically free, so a yield of 15 liters will end up totaling $1 a gallon. Better than current fuel prices and more environmentally friendly, the Biobot may help fuel the alternative transportation revolution.


Read more: The Biobot 20 is a Tabletop Biodiesel Processor for Waste Cooking Oil 

NOTE: HOW TO: Brew your own biodiesel

SCIENCE NATION: GREEN GASOLINE...

Carbon neutral gasoline ... from plants! Like everyone else, George Huber knows money doesn't grow on trees. But, ask him where gasoline comes from and he won't just tell you, he'll show you. To fully understand, Science Nation recently went with Huber to a local lumber yard in Amherst, Mass. A lumber yard is the perfect place to find cellulose, the key building block in plant cells and the organic material that gives plants their structure. So what does cellulose have to do with gasoline? A lot!


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