Santo Domingo.- Most Dominican industries have begun a process to use natural gas in their production, because it’s the world’s cheapest fuel and which vehicles in Europe and Latin America widely use.
The Group Lama has spent around US$20 million to build a processing plant in Boca Chica (east) - next to the power plant AES Andres- to compress it for transport to stations and industries around the country.
Lama’s vice president for the company Natural Gas Solutions said its current list of large natural gas customers include Samana’s power company L y F, the dairies Lácteos Dominicanos (LADOM), Multiquímica Dominicana, César Iglesias among others.
Pedro Juan Lama said natural gas is the world’s cheapest fuel and its use is increasing in Latin America, such Colombia and Argentina, were it’s used in almost all cars of public transport.
He said 1.7 million vehicles use natural gas in Argentina, including 95% of the taxis which count on 1,700 stations, whereas in Brazil, the world’s top ethanol producer, has 1.6 million autos.
Lama in a visit to newspaper Diario Libre Editor in chief Adriano Miguel Tejada, noted that in addition to environmental benefits natural means savings for users since the engine has better combustion and stays cleaner, the tank needs fewer fill-ups and is 60% cheaper than gasoline, 50% than diesel and 30% less expensive than propane (LPG).
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
Written by: xwill7, 20 Apr 2010 10:20 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
As propane prices increase people will make the switch over to natural gas
Written by: BASTA, 20 Apr 2010 10:35 AM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
until they tax the crap out of it like LPG and gasoline so if the taxes are less than all is equal.
Written by: ElProfe 
, 20 Apr 2010 11:08 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Jarabacoa
Oh yea, just wait untill everybody make the switch to natural gas then they will raise the prices.
Get It while you can!!!!!
Written by: JDJones, 20 Apr 2010 11:39 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Them Lamas are pulling in the bucks!!!!
From: United States
60% cheaper than gasoline, 50% than diesel and 30% less expensive than propane (LPG)
--so when everything uses natural gas in the DR, will the prices of everything drop? (i.e. since everyone seems to blame expensive gasoline, etc for a reason to raise their product prices).
--or will the DR be that one part of the world where natural gas will end up more expensive that gasoline..due to taxes, greed and corruption
Written by: Atabey, 20 Apr 2010 7:05 PM
From: United States, NYC
Josean will not like this. LF is doing his work. Good job.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Obviously, there are some components of this story that are simply not true; most salient amongst these would be "the tank needs fewer fill-ups and". This is simply not true! CNG, a relatively low density fuel, requires >700x the amount of gasoline flow to satisfy engine required air/fuel ratio.
Naturally, CNG has high octane rating of about 130, which is very close to that of diesel fuel, and is best employed in high thermal efficiencies engines such as diesel, or engines specifically conceived for CNG consumption.
Converted gasoline engines would give up 10 %-20 % horse power and torque and, worse yet, noticeably reduced engine durability due to lack of lubricity in fuel.
Yes, you could improve CO2 reduction by 25 %, reduce operating cost by close to 40 %, but it doesn't clearly come without penalties or sacrifices. Please take this into account before making your final decision-and I do hope you'd choose CNG [I am in the business!!!!].
MJEV.
Written by: josean, 20 Apr 2010 9:59 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Dr. Stangelove,
Some people here on DT should wait for your comments on these scientific and technical matters before they put their PURPLE Foot in their mouth! Especially those in the clapping seal seats!
Thank you as always for erudite clarifications!
Written by: ateo2010 , 20 Apr 2010 11:28 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Owning Noobs
Atabey, true he is doing a great part in getting us into next levels on energy. fools like josean and others never have any positive comments to make. just pessimistic remarks. all the time.
Written by: josean, 21 Apr 2010 7:23 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Ateo is this a pessimistic remark?
A need to feel economic growth
Deputy Pelegrin Castillo (FNP-DN) says that while forecasts for growth are on the positive side, Dominicans need to demand more explanations on how this will translate into improvements in the quality of life of the population. He asked for more information on jobs, distribution of wealth and human development indexes.
"I think the time has come for us to ask ourselves if there is any sense in continuing to grow when the gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing and the base is fragile, he said.
He said there is a deficit in the distribution of wealth generated by the economy, which has impeded Dominicans from improving their quality of life.
He said historically the DR has been the country with the greatest growth in Latin America, but it has also been the one that has taken least advantage of the growth to improve the conditions of its population.
Continued:
Written by: josean, 21 Apr 2010 7:26 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
"This growth is strange because it includes high unemployment, penetration of foreigners into labor markets, weak social and national integration, as well as very high environmental and institutional costs," he said.
He said politicians needed to implement mechanisms for improving wealth distribution, as well as eliminating the political patronage systems.
"From a system of giving out favors we need to move to one of rights and obligations", he said.
Ateo,
And this guy is a supporter of LIE-onel Fernandez, just not a blind one like you and the other clapping seals!
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
Pay no attention to Josean and you should rescind your offer to rename one of the restrooms on the Metro in his name if the alligators eat him on Sunday in Lago Enruiquillo......LF you are looking good ......you are looking mavellous absolutely mavellous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZl3gGV4H6c&feature=fvstWritten by: josean, 21 Apr 2010 7:44 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Your right, no pun intended, he shouldn't pay attention to me, but to Mr. Castillo yes!
After all he and his daddy are part of the “Genius from the Caribbean’s” political coalition!
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Dean Josean,
As you are aware, I have vested interest in worldwide CNG industry, particualarly automotive sector.
While actively promoting it [I spend a great deal of time on planes to Europe and BRIC countries!], I remain ever cognizant of its limitations and unintended effects.
Here in USA, many of us cook with natural gas and also heat our homes with it. The "Captains & the Kings" control energy flow and income and profits derived thereof. What do you suppose will happen when we suddenly switch to this wonderful and less polluting and considerably less costly fuel? The "Captains & the Kings" would still expect year over year income and profit growth, not reductions; consequently, I would expect cost of natural gas to escalate commensurably. We all need to think seriously about that possibility.
BTW, thank you kind comments.
MJEV.
Written by: josean, 21 Apr 2010 1:24 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Dr. Strangelove,
Your welcome, from the heart and well deserved sir!
Your right my China Natural Gas Inc (CHNG) stock is not doing as well as I expected but I am hanging in there a with very, very modest amount.
Written by: abc200, 22 Apr 2010 9:47 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Hopefully people buy out of this dead end technology. Solar power panels have halved in price over the last 3 years down to 2 dollars a watt for panels.
Huge highly efficient solar panel plants are coming on stream in China and the price can be expected to drop to 1 dollar a watt within 2 years.
Electric cars, motor cycles and cycles could easily predominate in the DR and people are converting to highly efficient electric cooking methods.
Electric cycles can be exported fob China where they are mass produced at half the price of small motorcycles.
Major production of electric cars is starting up throughout the World and countries like CR are discussing limiting imports to these types.
No-one will be sorry to see the ICE go.
S.
Written by: abc200, 22 Apr 2010 9:47 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Hopefully people buy out of this dead end technology. Solar power panels have halved in price over the last 3 years down to 2 dollars a watt for panels.
Huge highly efficient solar panel plants are coming on stream in China and the price can be expected to drop to 1 dollar a watt within 2 years.
Electric cars, motor cycles and cycles could easily predominate in the DR and people are converting to highly efficient electric cooking methods.
Major production of electric cars is starting up throughout the World and countries like CR are discussing limiting imports to these types.
No-one will be sorry to see the ICE go.
S.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
abc,
Most would negatively impacted by ICE demise, not the least of which being Dominicans-you know, with their ample and reliable supply of electricity. Hope your electric unicycle would have adequate range to get you out Samana, but maybe that wouldn't be a good thing.
There are the issues of range and pollution and battery life, which should not be solved in forseeable decades.
Technically speaking, electric vehicles can be much bigger polluters than modern SULEV and ULEV engines, especially if electrical conversion source is coal; oil electrical generation should not be an improvement on pollution, either, because of conservation of energy and inherent energy content of oil.
There is the additional concern of end of life battery disposal, which should really concern us all.
ICE is here to stay for at least next 50 years. EV's are a fad with highly questionable benfit/$ ratio.
MJEV.
Written by: abc200, 22 Apr 2010 2:02 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
There are now over 1000 types of electric bicycles on the international marketplace.
http://www.ecvv.com/cat23/Electric-Bicycle.htmlTechnological innovation is fast.
Cars are following fast in number of models available.
One of the huge advantages is that there is no intricacy in an electric motor - they can be manuactured and assembed in their millions by completely automated processes. This can make the product far cheaper - the goal of a 1000 dollar car is attainable.
For batteries energy density per kilo seems to be doubling every 2-3 years with no theoretical end in sight.
Huge automated factories are being set up Worldwide.
Recycling technology for batteries is being perfected - a life of 10 years is expected.
It is entirely possible that a package of solar cells, batteries, car - 4 seater - could sell for 3000 dollars in 2 years . Once the huge complication of the ICE and transmission is ripped out cars are cheap to produce and motor prices could reduce
Written by: abc200, 22 Apr 2010 2:04 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
dramatically.
Glo lives in the land of nod....
S.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
abc,
You go on keeping dreaming.
Range is still under 100 miles, and they still have to plug in to get recharged-meaning more coal-fired power stations or other fossil fuel, unless you are promoting nuclear energy. The concept of a nuclear station in DR makes me squirm!
Please remember the conservation of energy theorem, assuming you weren't asleep in class when it was thought, or daydreaming of instant recyclation of urine.
Energy in= energy out, minus losses. Translated: you must burn additional fossil fuel at the power station equivalent to that consumed by aggregate of electrical vehicles plus expected line losses.
What the aforegoing means is that the electric vehicle option is not energy neutral, when attached to power grid. Period.
From: Dominican Republic, Civil Rights and Peace Activist for Our Dominican People
OK,
just a stupid question from a woman who knows nothing about cars or fuels. Lately I've been very interested in bio diesel fuel cars, and I am strongly searching to buy a pick up truck that could use regular cooking oil diesel fuel, the cooking oils from restaurants that you could get for free here in the states for restaurants can give it to you for free since they have to pay to dispose it to an oil pick up company.
I believe that VW and Chrysler issued these models few years ago!?
Why is it that a poor country or more people are not looking into this?
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Popon,
I am very impressed by your inquiry, but not shocked.
Your best bet would be to acquire an older VW Jetta or Golf TDiesel with ~100k miles on it. Typically they hold great value and it's not unusual to find a 3-year old TDiesel VW selling for 90 % of original value. If you can drive a stick go for it, because automatic tranny can be costly to repair [~$2500!].
My reason for above recommendation is that you would void the new car warranty if you were to use the types of fuel you mentioned above. A word of caution: you'll make lots of people hungry behind you if you use chinese used cooking oil or McDonalds oil.....the smell would be compelling!
A female engineer colleague makes 200 gallons of diesel fuel a month in her garage, and one of the by-products is soap, which she gives away. She buys cars as I suggested above and is very happy with the arrangement. She has three VW TDiesels, which she uses exclusively.
Hope this helped.
Good luck.
MJEV
Written by: abc200, 23 Apr 2010 6:46 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
abc,
You go on keeping dreaming.
Range is still under 100 miles, and they still have to plug in to get recharged-meaning more coal-fired power stations or other fossil fuel, unless you are promoting nuclear energy. The concept of a nuclear station in DR makes me squirm!
Please remember the conservation of energy theorem, assuming you weren't asleep in class when it was thought, or daydreaming of instant recyclation of urine.
Energy in= energy out, minus losses. Translated: you must burn additional fossil fuel at the power station equivalent to that consumed by aggregate of electrical vehicles plus expected line losses.
What the aforegoing means is that the electric vehicle option is not energy neutral, when attached to power grid. Period.
Usual nonsensse from GLO.
Written by: abc200, 23 Apr 2010 6:47 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
When lightweight electic vehicles are available ( scooters, bicyles ) people use them in preference to cars and this can easily be encouraged. The alternative of car with spark ingnition on a typical journey has a thermal efficiency of 10 - 20%. But this energy efficiency does not take into account refining energy, coal tar extraction energy, transport energy etc.
Other modes of transoport used in tropical countries have fossil fuel impact e.g. motor cycle, diesel bus.
Written by: abc200, 23 Apr 2010 6:47 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
If you use fossil fuel generated electictiy for your electric cycle then the efficiency of generation of single stage electicity generation is typically 50%. However this is only attained when demand is approximately equal to supply. It typically takes 1 hour or more to stop and start and during this time efficiency is way down. So machinery is left running overnaight and capacity wasted unless pumped stoarge is used. If an electric cycle or car is charged overnight then power that would not otherwise be used is utilized. Ditto nuclear. Only hydro and gas turbine can rapidly adapt to demand.
Plans in troical countries call for distributed grid - tie solar systems and here the power for charging bicycle batteries is taken before power is pumped back ito the grid.
Written by: abc200, 23 Apr 2010 6:48 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
So our prudent Chinese will have 200 dollars worth of solar cells ( 100 Watts ) charging batteries. One of these bateries will fit his electic cycle he uses to get to work. If he works days he swaps the batteries daily.
The elctric bicyle there will cost 300 - 400 dollars with batteries. The batteries last minimum 750 cycles.
His door to door round trip of 10 miles has minimum environmental impact and the government is saved from importing the 25 gallons per year of gas. Also less investment is needed in refineries, distribution etc.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Mucho Loco,
Since we have abundant sun in Beijin, solar power is really going to work there, and so will your unicycle in Samana!
Watch out for GC and the others in their full-size SUV's.
MJEV.
Written by: abc200, 23 Apr 2010 7:00 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
So much nonsense from Glo!
His degree must be from one of these degree factories where you pay 1000 dollars and sit a 1 hour multiple choice exam!
S.
Written by: abc200, 23 Apr 2010 7:10 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Written by: abc200, 23 Apr 2010 7:28 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
From: Dominican Republic, Civil Rights and Peace Activist for Our Dominican People
Thanks Glomar!! I could learn to drive stick. Can you realloy smell the cooking oil? Ja,ja,ja that is not so bad.
I love VW and thought that only VW Golf and old VW Bugs were Diesel, again I know notheoing about cars.
Thanks os much for the info. I'll look into cars you suggested.
I was wondering, does your friend only use soap by products to make the Diesel or does she use other ingridients as well?
Written by: abc200, 25 Apr 2010 8:44 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Following the success of the electric cycle electic cars will take off in a big way now a major manufacturer is selling them and plans production World Wide.
Prices will soon reduce and many preople will appreciate no more trips to the gas station.
ICE's and their drivetrains are an engineering nightmare compared to electric drives. All that drugery in factories assembling and testing drivetrains and ICE's where it is not totally automated will be eliminated.
Fast trains connect cities so there is rarely a need for a long car journey.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/ptec....nissan.electric/index.html?hpt=C2All the oilchange nonsense and brake maintenance will go ( regenerative braking ).
ICE's to the museum!
Why do US criminals want to destroy the planet when there is no need?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8642518.stmS.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Popon,
Glad you like VW's.
My colleague makes biodiesel from cooking oil, etc, not from soap. Latter is by-product of the process.
Good luck in getting a good used VW.
Written by: abc200, 25 Apr 2010 6:31 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Glo is a nut case! Car will be heavily polluting.
S
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Mucho Loco,
Was daily dose of urine rancid again?
Written by: abc200, 25 Apr 2010 8:04 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Glo is a major idiot and menace as he waves his 1000$ degree. The most satisfactory way to produce good biodiesel is to use alkoxide catalysts that have low dangerous bi-products and this is an industrial process. Energy efficientcy of the process is vital - difficult to achieve at home. Reaction completion is also difficult to monitor on a small scale as the titration precedure to find composition after reaction is not straightforward.
Quality of bi-products is also poor.
Using pure oil is wasteful - also requires expensive conversions.
Companies in the frying oil business alsp process used oil to high standard bio-diesel.
http://www.frylite.com/waste-oil-collection/Of course the idiots in the food oil business do not encourage good cooking pactice, micro flitration and activated carbon removal of cookin bi-products. This can reduce the use of oil by a factor of 3 in the cooking process.
S.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
And the court jester shows his ugly face.....why don't you go back and finish your morning drink, then ride your electric unicycle in traffic?
From: Dominican Republic, Civil Rights and Peace Activist for Our Dominican People
Thanks Glomar for the great info.
DR poor will benefit from this type of recycling.
I do not believe DR bussinesses are rightly disposing the cooking oils from restaurants nor there are companies that collect them. And knowing how things operate in DR I am sure most of the oil gets dump in the landfiill ending up in the watershed, very bad.
Written by: abc200, 26 Apr 2010 3:25 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
environental studies in university.
S.
Written by: abc200, 26 Apr 2010 3:25 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
From: United States
I don't know why they had made it so late as natural gas is one of the best fuel to use and as its is cheap many people love to have cars which run on natural gas .The second best thing is that it burns completely and the emission of CO2 is minimum which is the best point to use natural gas instead of petrol or diesel .
http://www.greatcarsbiz.com/
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Get It while you can!!!!!
--so when everything uses natural gas in the DR, will the prices of everything drop? (i.e. since everyone seems to blame expensive gasoline, etc for a reason to raise their product prices).
--or will the DR be that one part of the world where natural gas will end up more expensive that gasoline..due to taxes, greed and corruption
Naturally, CNG has high octane rating of about 130, which is very close to that of diesel fuel, and is best employed in high thermal efficiencies engines such as diesel, or engines specifically conceived for CNG consumption.
Converted gasoline engines would give up 10 %-20 % horse power and torque and, worse yet, noticeably reduced engine durability due to lack of lubricity in fuel.
Yes, you could improve CO2 reduction by 25 %, reduce operating cost by close to 40 %, but it doesn't clearly come without penalties or sacrifices. Please take this into account before making your final decision-and I do hope you'd choose CNG [I am in the business!!!!].
MJEV.
Some people here on DT should wait for your comments on these scientific and technical matters before they put their PURPLE Foot in their mouth! Especially those in the clapping seal seats!
Thank you as always for erudite clarifications!
A need to feel economic growth
Deputy Pelegrin Castillo (FNP-DN) says that while forecasts for growth are on the positive side, Dominicans need to demand more explanations on how this will translate into improvements in the quality of life of the population. He asked for more information on jobs, distribution of wealth and human development indexes.
"I think the time has come for us to ask ourselves if there is any sense in continuing to grow when the gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing and the base is fragile, he said.
He said there is a deficit in the distribution of wealth generated by the economy, which has impeded Dominicans from improving their quality of life.
He said historically the DR has been the country with the greatest growth in Latin America, but it has also been the one that has taken least advantage of the growth to improve the conditions of its population.
Continued:
He said politicians needed to implement mechanisms for improving wealth distribution, as well as eliminating the political patronage systems.
"From a system of giving out favors we need to move to one of rights and obligations", he said.
Ateo,
And this guy is a supporter of LIE-onel Fernandez, just not a blind one like you and the other clapping seals!
Your right, no pun intended, he shouldn't pay attention to me, but to Mr. Castillo yes!
After all he and his daddy are part of the “Genius from the Caribbean’s” political coalition!
Dean Josean,
As you are aware, I have vested interest in worldwide CNG industry, particualarly automotive sector.
While actively promoting it [I spend a great deal of time on planes to Europe and BRIC countries!], I remain ever cognizant of its limitations and unintended effects.
Here in USA, many of us cook with natural gas and also heat our homes with it. The "Captains & the Kings" control energy flow and income and profits derived thereof. What do you suppose will happen when we suddenly switch to this wonderful and less polluting and considerably less costly fuel? The "Captains & the Kings" would still expect year over year income and profit growth, not reductions; consequently, I would expect cost of natural gas to escalate commensurably. We all need to think seriously about that possibility.
BTW, thank you kind comments.
MJEV.
Your welcome, from the heart and well deserved sir!
Your right my China Natural Gas Inc (CHNG) stock is not doing as well as I expected but I am hanging in there a with very, very modest amount.
Huge highly efficient solar panel plants are coming on stream in China and the price can be expected to drop to 1 dollar a watt within 2 years.
Electric cars, motor cycles and cycles could easily predominate in the DR and people are converting to highly efficient electric cooking methods.
Electric cycles can be exported fob China where they are mass produced at half the price of small motorcycles.
Major production of electric cars is starting up throughout the World and countries like CR are discussing limiting imports to these types.
No-one will be sorry to see the ICE go.
S.
Huge highly efficient solar panel plants are coming on stream in China and the price can be expected to drop to 1 dollar a watt within 2 years.
Electric cars, motor cycles and cycles could easily predominate in the DR and people are converting to highly efficient electric cooking methods.
Major production of electric cars is starting up throughout the World and countries like CR are discussing limiting imports to these types.
No-one will be sorry to see the ICE go.
S.
abc,
Most would negatively impacted by ICE demise, not the least of which being Dominicans-you know, with their ample and reliable supply of electricity. Hope your electric unicycle would have adequate range to get you out Samana, but maybe that wouldn't be a good thing.
There are the issues of range and pollution and battery life, which should not be solved in forseeable decades.
Technically speaking, electric vehicles can be much bigger polluters than modern SULEV and ULEV engines, especially if electrical conversion source is coal; oil electrical generation should not be an improvement on pollution, either, because of conservation of energy and inherent energy content of oil.
There is the additional concern of end of life battery disposal, which should really concern us all.
ICE is here to stay for at least next 50 years. EV's are a fad with highly questionable benfit/$ ratio.
MJEV.
http://www.ecvv.com/cat23/Electric-Bicycle.html
Technological innovation is fast.
Cars are following fast in number of models available.
One of the huge advantages is that there is no intricacy in an electric motor - they can be manuactured and assembed in their millions by completely automated processes. This can make the product far cheaper - the goal of a 1000 dollar car is attainable.
For batteries energy density per kilo seems to be doubling every 2-3 years with no theoretical end in sight.
Huge automated factories are being set up Worldwide.
Recycling technology for batteries is being perfected - a life of 10 years is expected.
It is entirely possible that a package of solar cells, batteries, car - 4 seater - could sell for 3000 dollars in 2 years . Once the huge complication of the ICE and transmission is ripped out cars are cheap to produce and motor prices could reduce
Glo lives in the land of nod....
S.
abc,
You go on keeping dreaming.
Range is still under 100 miles, and they still have to plug in to get recharged-meaning more coal-fired power stations or other fossil fuel, unless you are promoting nuclear energy. The concept of a nuclear station in DR makes me squirm!
Please remember the conservation of energy theorem, assuming you weren't asleep in class when it was thought, or daydreaming of instant recyclation of urine.
Energy in= energy out, minus losses. Translated: you must burn additional fossil fuel at the power station equivalent to that consumed by aggregate of electrical vehicles plus expected line losses.
What the aforegoing means is that the electric vehicle option is not energy neutral, when attached to power grid. Period.
just a stupid question from a woman who knows nothing about cars or fuels. Lately I've been very interested in bio diesel fuel cars, and I am strongly searching to buy a pick up truck that could use regular cooking oil diesel fuel, the cooking oils from restaurants that you could get for free here in the states for restaurants can give it to you for free since they have to pay to dispose it to an oil pick up company.
I believe that VW and Chrysler issued these models few years ago!?
Why is it that a poor country or more people are not looking into this?
Popon,
I am very impressed by your inquiry, but not shocked.
Your best bet would be to acquire an older VW Jetta or Golf TDiesel with ~100k miles on it. Typically they hold great value and it's not unusual to find a 3-year old TDiesel VW selling for 90 % of original value. If you can drive a stick go for it, because automatic tranny can be costly to repair [~$2500!].
My reason for above recommendation is that you would void the new car warranty if you were to use the types of fuel you mentioned above. A word of caution: you'll make lots of people hungry behind you if you use chinese used cooking oil or McDonalds oil.....the smell would be compelling!
A female engineer colleague makes 200 gallons of diesel fuel a month in her garage, and one of the by-products is soap, which she gives away. She buys cars as I suggested above and is very happy with the arrangement. She has three VW TDiesels, which she uses exclusively.
Hope this helped.
Good luck.
MJEV
You go on keeping dreaming.
Range is still under 100 miles, and they still have to plug in to get recharged-meaning more coal-fired power stations or other fossil fuel, unless you are promoting nuclear energy. The concept of a nuclear station in DR makes me squirm!
Please remember the conservation of energy theorem, assuming you weren't asleep in class when it was thought, or daydreaming of instant recyclation of urine.
Energy in= energy out, minus losses. Translated: you must burn additional fossil fuel at the power station equivalent to that consumed by aggregate of electrical vehicles plus expected line losses.
What the aforegoing means is that the electric vehicle option is not energy neutral, when attached to power grid. Period.
Usual nonsensse from GLO.
Other modes of transoport used in tropical countries have fossil fuel impact e.g. motor cycle, diesel bus.
Plans in troical countries call for distributed grid - tie solar systems and here the power for charging bicycle batteries is taken before power is pumped back ito the grid.
The elctric bicyle there will cost 300 - 400 dollars with batteries. The batteries last minimum 750 cycles.
His door to door round trip of 10 miles has minimum environmental impact and the government is saved from importing the 25 gallons per year of gas. Also less investment is needed in refineries, distribution etc.
Since we have abundant sun in Beijin, solar power is really going to work there, and so will your unicycle in Samana!
Watch out for GC and the others in their full-size SUV's.
MJEV.
His degree must be from one of these degree factories where you pay 1000 dollars and sit a 1 hour multiple choice exam!
S.
http://cdm.ccchina.gov.cn/english/NewsInfo.asp?NewsId=3275
Ditto Dominican republic......
S.
http://www.metaefficient.com/rene....-powered-by-renewable-energy.html
As regards SUV's
Yes I might have a 'message of despair' on the subject of SUV's posted on the walls of my eco restaurant and run anti suv messages in between the showings of 'The Blue Planet' to educate the planet trashers.
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Planet....ecial/dp/B001957A4E/ref=pd_cp_d_2
S.
I love VW and thought that only VW Golf and old VW Bugs were Diesel, again I know notheoing about cars.
Thanks os much for the info. I'll look into cars you suggested.
I was wondering, does your friend only use soap by products to make the Diesel or does she use other ingridients as well?
Prices will soon reduce and many preople will appreciate no more trips to the gas station.
ICE's and their drivetrains are an engineering nightmare compared to electric drives. All that drugery in factories assembling and testing drivetrains and ICE's where it is not totally automated will be eliminated.
Fast trains connect cities so there is rarely a need for a long car journey.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/ptec....nissan.electric/index.html?hpt=C2
All the oilchange nonsense and brake maintenance will go ( regenerative braking ).
ICE's to the museum!
Why do US criminals want to destroy the planet when there is no need?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8642518.stm
S.
Popon,
Glad you like VW's.
My colleague makes biodiesel from cooking oil, etc, not from soap. Latter is by-product of the process.
Good luck in getting a good used VW.
S
Mucho Loco,
Was daily dose of urine rancid again?
Quality of bi-products is also poor.
Using pure oil is wasteful - also requires expensive conversions.
Companies in the frying oil business alsp process used oil to high standard bio-diesel.
http://www.frylite.com/waste-oil-collection/
Of course the idiots in the food oil business do not encourage good cooking pactice, micro flitration and activated carbon removal of cookin bi-products. This can reduce the use of oil by a factor of 3 in the cooking process.
S.
And the court jester shows his ugly face.....why don't you go back and finish your morning drink, then ride your electric unicycle in traffic?
DR poor will benefit from this type of recycling.
I do not believe DR bussinesses are rightly disposing the cooking oils from restaurants nor there are companies that collect them. And knowing how things operate in DR I am sure most of the oil gets dump in the landfiill ending up in the watershed, very bad.
S.
You are right to be concerned that this material is going to waste. There are scrap metal collectors in the DR.
If the government or some entepreneur were to set up a plant then the scrap metal collectors, if paid, could collect used oil. Also the government could require major cooking oil vendors to recycle oil.
http://www.regencycookingoils.com/bio.htm
Some incentive could be offered to use energy efficient and oil efficient equipment for cooking. Smaller scale temperature controlled deep fat fryers are available.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Ra....den&qid=1272263773&sr=8-8
http://www.kirbysupply.com/Equipm..../Floor_Model_Fryers/SR42G-Pro.htm
http://www.kirbysupply.com/Equipm....ers_Disposal_Units/MF90U-80LP.htm
Sounds like a good topic for students of
http://www.greatcarsbiz.com/