Fat Power
Posted by Big Gav in biodiesel, fat
This is pretty old (2005) but I just can't resist it - CalorieLab has an article on a Kiwi adventurer who wants to break a power boat speed record using fuel derived from human fat. Given the western world's obesity epidemic, perhaps part of the solution to peak oil is walking around in front of us, just waiting to be liposuctioned....
Auckland, New Zealand, adventurer Peter Bethune plans to break the round-the-world powerboat speed record in a boat powered by biodiesel fuel partly manufactured from human fat. The lean Mr. Bethune had about three ounces of fat extracted from his body yesterday in a lipsuction procedure, and he is seeking volunteers to donate more.
Mr. Buthune is the founder of Earthrace, a project to promote the use of biofuel as a renewable energy source. The round-the-world record attempt is part of Earthrace’s campaign to highlight concerns about diminishing supplies of fossil fuels and the environmental advantages of biodiesel.
Can human fat really power a diesel engine? “No one has actually made biodiesel from human fat before,” admits Mr. Bethune, “but we already do it with sheep and beef fat so it should work. Theoretically, at least.”
Animal fat is turned into fuel by removing the water and tissue, adding lye and alcohol, and then separating out the glycerine that results, leaving biodiesel.
“The amount of energy from fat is relatively low,” says Mr. Bethune. “A large liposuction operation involves removing 10 pounds of fat, which would drive a car about 50 miles once converted.”
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