Comments on: University of Nevada Develops Biofuel from Sewage Sludge

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:07:00 +0000

Oil used to run a diesel generator is not fuel?

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:53:00 +0000

It’s misleading to include the term “biofuel” in this article; the final energy form is electricity, and not a transportation fuel, as the term “biofuel” implies.

By: Tina Casey

Tina Casey — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 23:27:51 +0000

Lawrence: I agree with the general (and obvious) point that the process must be cost-effective in order to succeed. The process was designed for high efficiency, including waste heat reuse, so although solar and other renewable energy may be preferable, depending on the cost of other available methods of sludge disposal it’s also possible that running the process on conventional fuel may be a cost-effective means of managing sludge at some treatment plants.

By: Name (required)Lawrence Landherr

Name (required)Lawrence Landherr — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:17:01 +0000

Only in Nevada (or the desert SW will this ever be energy efficient. Using sun provided heat energy to dry the sludge gives a net return in excess of energy inputted. If you Energy Return isn’t more than you Energy Input this approach is a total failure.

By: Eric Higgins

Eric Higgins — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:12:40 +0000

I’m happy to see gasification processes such as these starting to gain more public attention. However, I dare say – these Reno guys are a little behind the game as far as waste-to-energy goes. The process their using – pyrolytic gasification – can actually be used to process any carbon based material (organic or synthetic) into usable fuels. A large number of companies have already run commercial pilot programs including Envergent Technologies (who also use a fluidized bed approach). It’s cool stuff… but there are still a few hurdles… partcularly when you start infusing sand like these guys do…