Avgas base

[T28D]

Science (http://gizmag.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=57c04fd0f2defe64b0f583dc7&id=60a3f24b80&e=7f67e958a6)
Algae to crude oil: Million-year natural process takes minutes in the lab (http://gizmag.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=57c04fd0f2defe64b0f583dc7&id=a266095e26&e=7f67e958a6)
http://images.gizmag.com/related/algae-fuel-process-1.jpg (http://gizmag.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=57c04fd0f2defe64b0f583dc7&id=4040992a82&e=7f67e958a6)
Engineers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have created a continuous process that produces useful crude oil minutes after harvested algae is introduced. The final product of this process can be refined into aviation fuel, diesel, or gasoline. (http://gizmag.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=57c04fd0f2defe64b0f583dc7&id=3e04763472&e=7f67e958a6)read more (http://gizmag.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=57c04fd0f2defe64b0f583dc7&id=6eec2dc7d8&e=7f67e958a6)

[Wally Mk2]

.......sheeeez the oil Co's are gunna love this!............they'll put this idea to bed very quickly!


Wmk2

[Saratogapp]

There is an enormous pilot plant here in Australia in the Pilbara area of Western Australia where they are harvesting algae for this very process. The fuel component is a 'handy' by product and the big financial driver is the algae used for pharmaceutical products. It's run by a US company and there is likely to be around 500 acres of ponds when they get into final production.

You have to wish them luck!

[Frank Arouet]

The Tar pit is the natural evolution of this. Ask any Piltdown Man.


However amazing as this is, it's a bit surprising more awe hasn't been shown in this thread.


I would rather spend R&D cash on this or medicine than climate change proof of existence.

[OZBUSDRIVER]

Francis!...Piltdown Man???...Really?

not a good choice of metaphor :)

[Frank Arouet]

Yes I suppose your right. I should have postulated the link between Piltdown Man and Climate change. I doubt the algae to oil process is a fake. Now, where do I include the tar pit for topical inclusion?


On a side note, and for continued aviation content, did you know most WW1 aircraft used Castor Oil in lieu of mineral oil because they had it. Breathing this burnt oil caused "flying sickness D" which was later named Tuberculosis. Read it in a book once.

[F.Nose]

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called 'Mycobacterium Tuberculosis'.

Are you inferring that Caster Oil contains this bacteria?

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Re "On a side note, and for continued aviation content, did you know most WW1 aircraft used Castor Oil in lieu of mineral oil because they had it"....

And,
"Breathing this burnt oil caused "flying sickness D" which was later named Tuberculosis"....

The guys and gals at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, would love to know of this I would reckon - as they fly WW1 replicas, complete with engine replicas of the era, manufactured from 'scratch', and still use Castor Oil as the lubricant.

Something to do with the 'Total Loss' oil system and the temps / pressures of those engines.....

I'm sure that someone from across the 'detch' can elaborate....

Cheers :ok:

(I must learn how to spell....)

[dubbleyew eight]

breathing castor oil fumes caused diarrhoea.
brandy being the most favoured antidote is what I've read.

[Frank Arouet]

Winged victory: VM Yeates. Granada Publishing. First published by Jonathan Cape Ltd 1934. Can't find an ISBN. (fiction section of course).


Great read.


GRIFFO. I had a 500cc JA Prestwitch, (JAP), motorbike years back with a total loss oil system. Nearly owned a Luton Minor reported to have been salvaged from The Antarctic from one of the expeditions. I believe it had similar.


T28D has a big noisy round engine thing that also appears to have a total loss (eventually) oil system.


I wonder if tar pits have 'Mycobacterium Tuberculosis?


Anyway the concept, (Avgas Base), certainly has merit.

[LewC]

Or J.A.Prestwich even. All the speedway bikes of the 50's ran JAP engines with full loss oil(of the castor variety) systems and burned methanol.The aroma was beautiful!

[Frank Arouet]

Lew, thanks. Corrected the post. ("oldtimers" disease). I also owned a Jawa. Forgotten what that stands for, or even if I knew in the first place.