Purdue Makes Trash To Electricity Generator 250
musicon writes "A group of scientists at Purdue University have created a portable refinery that efficiently converts food, paper, and plastic trash into electricity. The machine, designed for the U.S. military, would allow soldiers in the field to convert waste into power. It could also have widespread civilian applications in the future. Researchers tested the first tactical biorefinery prototype in November and found that it produced approximately 90 percent more energy than it consumed."
Incredible (Score:1, Interesting)
In this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics! (Score:1, Interesting)
Is this statement predicated on the assumption that the matter being 'converted' to energy does not count toward the amount of energy consumed? Otherwise it's an outright impossibility, no?
Re:Incredible (Score:3, Interesting)
In don't know, quite possibly. The point is that smaller generators are generally more polluting and less efficient. Being a diesel, and using waste-generated fuel, it probably generates more particulate pollution than your 2-stroke, but saves some fossil fuel and gets rid of some waste.
But in general, small generators suck, which is why they are only used for emergency and other limited applications.
But you'd probably do better by recycling the waste to create other materials, and using sources such as solar and wind for electricity generation. Electricity is not our only demand, materials are also needed. Better to re-use those solid materials when possible than to simply burn it for energy.
Re:Dual Purpose (Score:4, Interesting)
WWII era Wood Gas Generators (Score:3, Interesting)
FEMA [wikipedia.org] wrote a book in 1989 on how to build your own [webpal.org]. I think they had the foresight to realize that the U.S. military will eventually commandeer the available oil supplies again and we can try and figure out how to get to work burning garbage and the trees out of the backyard.
/* This is not a Hummer. [wikipedia.org] */
Re:Incredible (Score:3, Interesting)