Hydrothermal Biomass Motor Fuel (Sermonette)

[Frederick J Sparber]

Since food production is a basic necessity, the availability of low cost
energy to support agriculture worldwide is essential.

Biomass waste is a readily available energy source that can support
agriculture,if it can be processed cheaply.

Most plants (on a dry ash-free basis) contain about 40% fixed carbon. The
mineral content (ash) runs from 5% to 15%. Animal manures can double these
numbers since the animal has used
the carbohydrate (starch and cellulose) portion
of the plant.

Over the past two decades much research has gone into processing biomass
into liquid and gaseous fuels, and many thermochemical and biological
processes have proven feasible but the costs are generally not competitive
with fossil fuels as shown by the tax-supported ethanol industry and the
economic disaster
of methane (biomass fermentation)installations.

It might be possible that the Hydrothermal treatment approach can be
cost-effectively scaled for Do-it-Yourself, or large scale processing
facilities using ag wastes/manures.

The necessary processing steps:

1, Gathering

2, Comminution (size reduction)

3, Mineral (ash) removal treatment

4, Hydrothermal Treatment

5, Combustion in I.C. Engines

Steps 4 and 5 can be done on any size engine
using an a small high pressure metering pump and an exhaust heat-exchanger
and a suitably
modified fuel injection system on the engines.

A good project for a "Do-it-Yourself - EFI hobbyist".  :-)

Regards,   Frederick