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Jet fuel grown from seeds

CNN Money -- Call it the jatropha bubble.
When word got out several years ago about the promise of a small subtropical tree called jatropha, it became a biofuel sensation. Advocates claimed the fruit tree was hearty, drought-resistant and could be grown on marginal land. Its oil seeds offered a promising biofuel that wouldn't compete with food crops.

Air Japan, Continental Airlines and Air New Zealand ran test flights of planes using jatropha-based biofuel, prompting more than 100 companies to plunk down millions on jatropha plantations in developing countries. Energy giant BP sunk $160 million into the farms, and one industry group projected that $1 billion would be invested annually in jatropha.

Then everything crashed. Jatropha, it turned out, was much harder to grow than once thought.

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Submitted Nov 27, 2012 By: BurntOrange

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 8:25:26 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Europe already grows fuel from seeds (mostly Brassica species) which, in addition to providing oil for fuel, also improves the soil. Kudzu... not so much.
E-Squirrel Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,012 Points:819,060 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Nov 30, 2012 2:55:41 AM Ignore E-Squirrel Report Abuse Wizrd03 opines: "Let's hope it's not the next kudzu...." Kind of makes you wonder why nobody has yet tried to build an ethanol from biomass plant, using kudzu, doesn't it? Talk about being easy to grow...
Rehorsehay All-Star Author California Posts:871 Points:45,925 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 1:17:34 PM Ignore Rehorsehay Report Abuse Too easy to figure this out before investing?
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,546 Points:765,945 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 1:13:01 PM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse It is nice to see an entity going about producing a biofuel plant the correct way using genetic research to optimize the oil production from each tree’s harvest as well as the tree’s ability to flourish when planted in marginal soil and water conditions. One can hope that SGB’s efforts and its vision for the Jatropha tree’s future promise as an economical alternative source for jet fuel can be realized since this would ease the demand for crude oil based jet fuel which would help hold down or perhaps even reduce the cost of jet fuel and other crude oil refined products.
BEGTWO Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,937 Points:723,315 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:45:23 AM Ignore BEGTWO Report Abuse Let's Do It!!!
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,147 Points:1,631,360 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 7:55:11 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse "Then everything crashed. Jatropha, it turned out, was much harder to grow than once thought" Typical of the "magic pill" thinking. The article goes on to say how plant geneticists are researching and refining the plant's seeds to grow in select climates. Let's hope it's not the next kudzu....
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,557 Points:1,919,005 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 5:34:59 AM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse Keep on trying alternatives!
SkooterG Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,359 Points:328,585 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 3:08:22 AM Ignore SkooterG Report Abuse Fascinating. I hope they can make this work.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,485 Points:1,556,775 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 1:35:27 AM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse In interesting way to produce fuel.
Bezalel Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:12,098 Points:2,290,020 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 1:17:50 AM Ignore Bezalel Report Abuse Beware of hype whether investing or voting!
txrojo2005 All-Star Author Austin Posts:765 Points:478,810 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 1:14:35 AM Ignore txrojo2005 Report Abuse We need stable, non-intermittent fuel sources that can be transported by the vehicle needing the fuel.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,891 Points:771,295 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 1:09:44 AM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse could be...
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,334 Points:569,095 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 1:09:02 AM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Will there always be enough seeds to keep this going for a long time?
J4romeo All-Star Author Gary Posts:506 Points:1,214,925 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:45:18 AM Ignore J4romeo Report Abuse ok...now lets see some more jobs from this find!!
ExitRamp Champion Author Orlando Posts:34,120 Points:3,205,510 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:15:54 AM Ignore ExitRamp Report Abuse I hope the very best for SGB. (Some of its employees are working for company stock in lieu of wages or for stock and reduced wages.) A struggling 1960's computer company in Minneapolis, Control Data, asked employees to work for stock, then trading for $1 per share, in lieu of wages. Janitors became millionaires when the company reached its heyday.
VikingWoman Champion Author Washington Posts:1,265 Points:251,665 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:12:12 AM Ignore VikingWoman Report Abuse ch ch ch chia! ch ch ch chia! ch ch chia fuel just soak the seeds.... you get the idea -lol
wz Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,484 Points:1,276,340 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:11:23 AM Ignore wz Report Abuse For all those hollywood types who hate fossil fuels, here is an investment opportunity that falls in line with their positions. There's no guarantee of a near-term return (or any at all), but the long term prospects could provide them a huge windfall (if they live long enough to see it).
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,217 Points:517,775 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:09:03 AM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Interesting that Boeing is considering this.
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,080 Points:1,323,260 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:08:51 AM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse Need to research EVERY POSSIBILiTY!
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,079 Points:1,101,905 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:07:00 AM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse As usual, technology comes to the rescue.
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,468 Points:1,743,495 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:06:48 AM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse Another possibility!
pepinoNC Champion Author Raleigh Posts:2,149 Points:657,815 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:05:18 AM Ignore pepinoNC Report Abuse Interesting
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,620 Points:3,494,705 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:03:54 AM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Better than ethanol and soy based biofuels.
ManOfLeisureII Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,874 Points:454,150 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:03:41 AM Ignore ManOfLeisureII Report Abuse Where is my flying car?
gsayeg1 All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:785 Points:140,340 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 12:00:02 AM Ignore gsayeg1 Report Abuse How about jet fuel made out of corn dogs?
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,212 Points:871,990 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:58:05 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Another story about a fuel source that will never be practical or cost effective. Seems like there are several stories like this a week, seaweed, algae, etc.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,916 Points:3,103,675 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:56:15 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse just do it....
dadis46 Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,013 Points:1,084,760 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:53:01 PM Ignore dadis46 Report Abuse I think growing Hemp is better. The hemp itself and their by product can do a lot of good
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:23,667 Points:2,081,340 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:51:55 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse Very interesting
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,066 Points:1,731,235 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:50:15 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse green is green
Dsin44 Champion Author Abbotsford Posts:1,272 Points:272,660 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:49:37 PM Ignore Dsin44 Report Abuse interesting
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,536 Points:932,695 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:46:40 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse Amazing indeed!!!!!!.
snerd All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:935 Points:654,500 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:46:31 PM Ignore snerd Report Abuse Interesting..
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:555,480 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:43:23 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse interesting
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:3,968 Points:1,507,800 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:42:19 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse interesting
gd83goldwinger Champion Author South Bend Posts:1,428 Points:504,230 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:41:34 PM Ignore gd83goldwinger Report Abuse I guess that all the investors didn't pickup on the fact they claimed, not tested and proven.
getalong All-Star Author California Posts:796 Points:149,190 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:40:57 PM Ignore getalong Report Abuse Now to buy a jet!
nwsynthetics Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,014 Points:345,675 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:38:55 PM Ignore nwsynthetics Report Abuse Grow it in desert staes and give it Miracle Grow
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,782 Points:643,835 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:36:45 PM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse Will it ever be cost-effective?
Isea11 Champion Author New York Posts:1,017 Points:387,200 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:34:32 PM Ignore Isea11 Report Abuse Understand that the Navy is also interested.
mrselfdestruct All-Star Author Arkansas Posts:992 Points:166,775 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:32:43 PM Ignore mrselfdestruct Report Abuse Wouldn't want to gum up those nifty turbines.
goinwgas All-Star Author Oregon Posts:868 Points:232,350 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:31:51 PM Ignore goinwgas Report Abuse grown on marginal land, it could keep production costs down
MINIWINI598 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,012 Points:517,725 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:26:28 PM Ignore MINIWINI598 Report Abuse An interesting idea...
Darwin00 All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:830 Points:269,655 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:25:43 PM Ignore Darwin00 Report Abuse I hope it works out.
drobbbb Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,475 Points:811,485 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:25:17 PM Ignore drobbbb Report Abuse i doubt it will work
Mr_Bill_W All-Star Author Virginia Posts:566 Points:357,510 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:22:00 PM Ignore Mr_Bill_W Report Abuse What are the potential implications for gas and diesel?
SolarReplaceGas Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,005 Points:209,195 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:19:14 PM Ignore SolarReplaceGas Report Abuse To the poster asking about when this would be patented: see US Patent No. 7,772,002, issued in August 2010, to University of Antioquia and Empresas Publicas de Medellin (both of Columbia).
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,800 Points:818,335 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:19:06 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Interesting article...
davenles Champion Author Texas Posts:3,196 Points:717,910 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:18:23 PM Ignore davenles Report Abuse Interesting concept.
goldrose1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:10,936 Points:1,924,605 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:18:04 PM Ignore goldrose1 Report Abuse Stuff we mine from the earth was once plants.