>> the relatively low yields of oil crops
>> ranging from 1,500 kg/ha for sunflower to
>> about 2,700 kg/ha for soybeans; sunflower
>> averages 25.5% oil, whereas soybeans average 18% oil.

> Maybe the yields are slightly better with Jatropha (India) and Palm
> Oil (Malaysia):
> http://www.hareda.gov.in/bioenergy.htm

The first project on that page is a positive one ! :-)

Producing Methane "Gobar Gas" from "night soil" (animal and human 
excrement) converts Methane, which is a very high GW coefficient gas, 
to CO2, with a much lower  GW coefficient and along the way provides 
energy and employment and more. Regardless of the merit of the GW 
case, odds are that the "carbon credits" alone of such a poject may 
make it worthwhile. Without use of this feedstock the MEthane would be 
released to atmosphere. Making use of cattle excrement in India is a 
substantial potential gain due to the cattle's otherwise potential 
utilisation.


> I am in talks with an institute here in India for collaborating on 
> low
> cost biodiesel production systems/techniques design from Jatropha.
        > http://www.jatrophaworld.org/


Jatropha does look like a useful plant for extracting bio energy from 
very low productivity land. It would be interesting to know what if 
any other crops it competes with and whether its promotion will affect 
food production in any way.


        Russell


-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist