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<br /> ~em~ Fuel n«p:,dmglibc3 ry.oeg,'xnalfeq hemp~hemptuel.hvn <br /> F <br /> Sci~ifer Library <br /> j~=t of <br /> '1)1'l?f~ 1~OIlCV <br /> Contents F e b ck ~ Search <br /> DRCNet Library ~ Schaffe_ rLibrarv ~ Hem~(Marijuana). <br /> HEMP FOR FUEL ~ ~ eECew~~q~ <br /> Tima---------- By.._-_.._~ <br /> Date.___ _~T.~1.9-z----._ <br /> County Council Fri- F"C <br /> Excerpted from "Energy Farming in America," by Lynn Osburn <br /> BIOMASS CONVERSION to fuel has proven economically feasible, first in laboratory tests <br /> and by continuous operation of pilot plants in field tests since 1973. When the energy crop is <br /> growing it takes in C02 from the air, so when it is burned the C02 is released, creating a <br /> balanced system. <br /> Biomass is the term used to describe all biologically produced matter. World production of <br /> biomass is estimated at 146 billion metric tons a year, mostly wild plant growth. Some farm <br /> crops and trees can produce up to 20 metric tons per acre of biomass a year. <br /> Types of algae and grasses may produce 50 metric tons per year. This biomass has a heating <br /> value of 5000-8000 BTU/Ib, with virtually no ash or sulfur produced during combustion. <br /> About 6% of contiguous United States land area put into cultivation for biomass could <br /> supply all current demands for oil and gas. <br /> The foundation upon which this will be achieved is the emerging concept of "energy <br /> farming," wherein farmers grow and harvest crops for biomass conversion to fuels. <br /> PYROLYSIS IS THE TECHNIQUE of applying high heat to organic matter <br /> (ligno-cellulosic materials) in the absence of air or in reduced air. The process can produce <br /> charcoal, condensable organic liquids (pyrolysic fuel oil), non-condensable gasses, acetic acid, <br /> acetone, and methanol. The process can be adjusted to favor charcoal, pyrolytic oil, gas, or <br /> methanol production with a 95.5% fuel-to-feed efficienry. <br /> Pyrolysis has been used since the dawn of civilization. Ancient Egyptians practiced wood <br /> distillation by collecting the tars and pyroligneous acid for use in their embalming industry. <br /> Methanol-powered automobiles and reduced emissions from coal-fired power plants can be <br /> accomplished by biomass conversion to fuel utilzing pyrolysis technology, and at the same <br /> time save the American family farm while fuming the American heartland into a prosperous <br /> source of clean energy production. <br /> Cm. Na <br /> <br />