Ethanol coming to Costa Rica

[drjulian]

Hi Enduro! I agree with you completely on not using cropland for fuel,but they did energy balance studies out the wazzoo and they always came out positive.
Thats why I mentioned cellulosic ethanol(trash,grass,production waste).
Brazil has been using ethanol for years,all major problems are solved,but their cars are gas cars adapted to ethanol.
Saab’s solution is elegance in enginering,more ethanol/more boost/more power.
Using land in costa rica for fuel production is idiocy,being politically correct,IMO. Don

Edited on Aug 02, 2008 10:01

Edited on Aug 02, 2008 10:13

[enduro]

I have a degree in Statistics and basically can make any information look good, it’s all in what’s included in the report.
There are lots of alternatives to gasoline that need to be explored.
cellulosic ethanol is definitely a good idea.
There has been terrific strides made in other areas too… there is a vehicle being developed that runs on compressed air… now that would be relatively cheap. They say it can do 80 mph and travel up to 300 miles on one tank of compressed air. The first versions look very boxy, but asthetics was not their first concern. Big factor was that it could be recharged with air at ANY gas station with a tire inflation hose, or at home with a small compressor.
Other than still using oil as a lubricant, it was terrific. Maybe they could use palm oil or something similar rather than mineral oil (10w40).
Another scientist managed to get sea water to combust… by accident, he was looking for something else and his experiment burst into flames!!!
Not sure we should use sea water though… THAT could have adverse effects on climate too.
I could go on but won’t…
Thank you Don for the discussion… and yes Saab’s engineering is excellent. I have always admired their uniqueness and desire to be different. Just their looks beats anything coming out of Japan (boring…yawn!) or even the US. GM made a good investment when they bought into Saab.

Life is amusing… make the most of it, but remember some days you are the dog and other days you are the hydrant!
Brian

Edited on Aug 02, 2008 10:43

[drjulian]

…You know then “figures don’t lie,but…”
…A mag called”MotherEarthNews” ran articles,plans,AND an old Ford(?)pickup on 160proof(20%water)in 60’s/70’s,also wood gasifiers.
…I have just recently seen that article,and many others,on Youtube, entered “waterfuel”
…Could you give source for aircar info,please?
…Surely you would need very hi pressure,seems to me.We could find out cheaply,get gocart,scuba tank,air wrench!…Don

[enduro]

Here’s the link to the story of the “air car”… there is a video link on the page too

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7241909.stm

Quite amazing really… video actually shows the principle but you have to be quick to see it. Quite simple, totally ingenious.

Apparently there is a go kart track in UK that runs air powered go karts on the track for hire… can’t find where I saw it, but will keep looking.

Air tanks on “air car” are carbon fibre so if in crash, the split with a bang, but no flames… Car also has on board compressor which can be powered by plugging into mains to recharge tank. Could easily use 2 tanks… use one for running and recharge other using on board compressor powered by battery power charged off altenator driven by motor. when one tank empties, flick a switch and run on recharged tank and recharge empty… could run forever!!!

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