I certainly agree that RECYCLING used cooking oil and other oils is a great idea, and would LOVE to see it maximized. I just don't think there's enough waste oil in the US to RECYCLE, for ALL the masses to be using it.
Now IF it could ALL be collected and recycled in a controlled way (uniform quality and chemical composition), then it could be added into the normal diesel supply-chain, kind of like ethanol is today for the gasoline supply-chain. Have a pump that is 100% BIO, and a pump that is 95% diesel/5% BIO. Maybe even up to 10% BIO. That probably could be made to work, and not mess up existing diesel engines. AND, recycle ALL the waste oils! Let's do it Or am I already too late, again?

 

A biodiesel cottage industry based on recycling veggie oils from other industries, and processing them with unspecified and nonstandardized processes (which is pretty much where we're at in the US right now with BD) is not exactly a pristine definition for a long-term transportation energy solution.

Biodiesel cost comparisons against petroleum-based fuels never make sense until we're talking about the end of the petroleum fuel era. Then we'll have to figure out how to feed the population, and simultaneously grow biofuel crops, without the benefit of an oil infrastructure to support either venture. Until then, cost comparisons of petroleum-based fuels against BD will always make petroleum look cheaper in the short term.

The same is true of the so-called 'hydrogen fuel economy'; it needs to take into account the true energy required to extract, store, transport and dispense the energy storage media (H2), once petroleum runs out.

If all you have with alternative energy systems is a way to extend the life of the petroleum economy, you really haven't solved the crucial problem, which is, globally, how to live without petroleum. In the short term, such petroleum-extending strategies could actually serve to increase usage of oil, as it makes the extraction and conversion of harder to reach reserves appear more cost effective.

The real nut to crack is after petroleum is gone how the 'first world' keeps its standard of living comparable to today while reverting to a pre-1820's energy economy. Unless you want to talk about a 100% nuclear-powered electric grid. Which few want to talk about seriously, especially the greens.

~Joe

 

You guys need to get out more - I think he was being sarcastic.

 

Nothing happens on an "all or nothing scale" - Let's talk local. Let's talk about diesel trucks & school buses, for example in a district/county/state. In a farming community, lets talk about converting the diesel farm equiptment to run on recycled veggie oil. In a city with a major port let's talk about getting those ships on veggie oil and those big rigs on veggie oil.
and let's hurry up and require school bus contractors to switch to veggie oil because the diesel fumes are seriously hurting our children.
Where are you getting this data that says recycled veggie oil can't support a local economy in this way? pullng it out of your @@@? Give me some data sources.