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Idea Connection photo
I chatted recently with Mitch Reid about alternative fuel sources like the petroleum nut (Pittosporum resiniferum) shown above. I wonder if we could grow stuff like this here in Pacifica as a way to raise money for the city (and supplement my meager income as an ink-stained wretch).
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"The Gasoline Tree... If planted the estimated yield would be about 45 tons of fruit or 2500 gallons of 'gasoline' per acre per year."
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pittosporum_resiniferum.html
I have a hard time believing the gallons per acre from the above link. But even if it were 250 gallons per acre, it would be worth looking into.
Posted by: mitch reid | April 02, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Wonder what the local algae folks think of this plant?
Posted by: todd bray | March 26, 2012 at 04:05 PM
Grow, baby, grow!
Posted by: Rich Shafer | March 26, 2012 at 01:23 PM
2,500 gallons per acre? Corn ethanol produces only 50 gallon per acre. If Mitch's number is accurate, he just might be on to something!
Posted by: ian butler | March 26, 2012 at 07:36 AM
Fear not, Mitch. Your bringing it to our attention on Riptide could lead to some big things. Why, at this very moment, I am getting a call on my tinfoil hat receiver from Warren Buffett.
Posted by: John Maybury | March 25, 2012 at 11:27 PM
The fruit has an octane rating of 54!!! (Our regular gas is 87 octane.) It contains 46 percent of gasoline-type components (heptane, dihydroterpene, etc.), and could be planted to produce 2,500 gallons per acre!
No one seems interested in this amazing fruit. It has only 95 views on YouTube. I pity the Pittosporum.
Posted by: mitch reid | March 25, 2012 at 11:10 PM