Re: Nothing like oil?

Gene Ward Smith <gene@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in 
news:Xns9A4891B1F2464genewardsmithsbcglob@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Gutless Umbrella Carrying Sissy <taustinca@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote 
> in news:Xns9A486B82D5C57taustingmail@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
>>> Moon****ne.
>>> 
>> Takes more energy to produce than is stored in it. 
> 
> I keep hearing this, but a little reflection will show that 
> it cannot possibly be true in general,

Feel free to explain why.

> and must depend on the 
> energy-intensity of the methods used in production. 

Which are limited by technology that actually exists.
> 
> Note that you can sow and reap wheat or rye or barley, or 
> plant potatoes, and also use the energy derived from eating 
> the same to power the process. Not all of it must be eaten; 
> some of it can be converted to moon****ne. This gives a 
> baseline of the process (including trans****ation by mule 
> team) of essentially zero. Hence the question is really one 
> of economic practicality-is there a practical way of doing 
> this leaving a substantial surplus of moon****ne, even 
> supposing you are using moon****ne-powered tractors or 
> whatever is being assumed in this impossibility claim? 
> 
Don't forget to factor in various trans****tation, storage and 
distribution costs (energy-wise, that is), too.

But the real issue is the one you snipped out: there's not enough 
arable land to grow enough stuff to produce enough alcohol to 
replace oil.

-- 
Terry Austin

"There's no law west of the internet."
    - Nick Stump

Jesus forgives sinners, not criminals.