John,
I've actually watched that episode twice - it was on several months ago here
in OKC. I found the idea of creating a micro-organism that can digest and
ferment corn stalks (and other less desirable bio matter) into ethanol to be
very interesting. One of my big questions is how much energy does it take
to convert corn to ethanol? I mean the whole thing - tractors and
fertilizer to grow corn, the harvesting and transportation to the plant, and
the actual conversion. Do we really save anything? I just don't know.
An interesting tidbit I recently discovered. Oklahoma has a law that says
anyone who works on an "alternative fuel" vehicle (hybrid, electric, LNG,
LP, fuel cell, whatever) has to have a special certification that can cost
over $1000 to get. Each violation is punishable by a $1000 fine and/or 1
year in jail. This applies to anyone, even if I'm working on my own
vehicle. So if I wanted to build an electric Spitfire, I could be fined and
thrown in jail. I know hybrids use batteries with voltages in the hundreds,
so safety can be an issue. The language of the law just seems a bit broad
to me. Anyway, I thought it was interesting.
73
BillG
Newalla, OK
KA0GOG
-----Original Message-----
From: shop-talk-bounces+bill=gingerich.us@autox.team.net
[mailto:shop-talk-bounces+bill=gingerich.us@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of
John T. Blair
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 7:18 PM
To: shop-talk@autox.team.net
Subject: [Shop-talk] Nova - PBS show
Gang,
Did anyone watch Nova last night (Tue.)? It was a very interesting show
with Click & Clack about alternative fuel and new/alternative cars.
I was plesantly supprised when they addressed things like Ethynol they
actually said that it's not the beat all end all. We don't have the land to
grow enough corn for it.
All in all, an interesting show. However, there were several things that
I'd have liked to see them go a little more in depth in. But you can only
do so much in a 1 hr. show.
John
John T. Blair WA4OHZ email: jblair1948@cox.net
Va. Beach, Va
Phone: (757) 495-8229
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