Tapping Trees For Diesel FuelBecause maple syrup is so old school... |
11 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in BioFuel, Energy | April 5, 2008 | |
Australian farmers are embarking on a bit of an experiment to see whether or not they can self-sustain their production using diesel-producing trees. As some may know, I have a bit of a love-affair with plants that can produce — in one way or another — biodiesel. For those looking for an update to my “Adventures In Sustainability” series growing Jatropha — it’s coming soon. The plant is currently in hibernation. But I digress…
The diesel-producing trees are called Copaifera langsdorfii and are native to the Brazilian rainforest. The world has known of their unique properties since about the seventeenth century, but it’s only been recently that harvesting of the petrol is being planned on a grand scale. From the article,
The tree produces terpene hydrocarbons, which are the family of molecules that give us turpentine from pine resin. The particular hydrocarbons the Copaifera tree produces are so well suited to powering diesel engines that they can almost be put directly in the tank from the tree. It’s harvested in much the same way as a maple tree is tapped for producing syrup.
As with anything almost too good to be true, there is one catch. 100 trees will only produce about 25 barrels of diesel fuel annually. Additionally, that fuel will only last a couple months in terms of keep. That being said, Australian farmers aren’t interested in becoming the next OPEC. Instead, they hope the trees will provide a consistent and cheap fuel source for their machines; essentially making them independent producers and lessening the shock of oil prices on the bottom line. Not bad, right? The trees are expected to continue producing fuel for about 70 years.
The experiment is underway in North Queensland, Australia where farmers recently bought 20,000 of the Copaifera langsdorfii. In about 15 years, we should see how well the investment has paid off.
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robert said,
where can we buy Copaifera langsdorfii seed or Copaifera langsdorfii tree?
zach said,
ive been looking all over, and no none seems to have a source, but ill keep looking…..
George Paschal said,
I’ve been searching for copaiba langsdorffii seeds – and finally hit paydirt!
Date Sat, 10 May 2008 8:56 AM
From “PAULO QUEIROZ SILVA”
To cleaner9@fastmail.fm
Subject TO MR. GEORGE
My Dear,
As per your message on EC21, i wish to inform you that we can arrange to you the COPAIBA seeds as requested.
Let me know the quantity. To best verification on availability and prices.
Best Regards
Paulo Queiroz Silva and Associates Cereal Trading
PAULO QUEIROZ SILVA AND ASSOCIATES CEREAL TRADING
Phones: + 55 11 8695 6697 / + 55 41 8841 6561
BRAZIL
Contact Info
Contact Point Paulo Queiroz Silva
Company Paulo Queiroz Silva and Associates Cereal Trading
Address Rua Itapeva 378, São Paulo, Sao Paulo
Postal code 01332-000
Country Brazil
Phone 55-11-86956697
Fax 55-11-32538079
E-mail pauloqueirozsilva01@yahoo.com.br
Homepage http://keiroz.en.ec21.com
E-mail pauloqueirozsilva01@yahoo.com.br
Homepage http://keiroz.en.ec21.com
Good luck!
Peter G. said,
I cannot recommend using
PAULO QUEIROZ SILVA AND ASSOCIATES CEREAL TRADING
Phones: + 55 11 8695 6697 / + 55 41 8841 6561
BRAZIL
In fact I would say to avoid doing business with Mr. Paulo. I ordered 1 kg of Copaiba seeds for US$170 plus US$30 for shipping, and I sent cash in advance by Western Union. I received 100 grams after about 2 weeks, the story being that Brazil Customs was watching his shipments so he needed to wait. OK fair enough, but now after 2 months and many emails, Mr. Paulo no longer answers my emails, I still have no commit for the balance of my shipment, no response to my requests to return the balance of my money, and none of the seeds have germinated yet. So I paid effective price of US$2000 per kg for seed that did not germinate. Stay away from Mr. Paulo under any circumstances is my recommendation.
Peter G. said,
Update on Mr. Paulo if anyone is interested :
Mr. Paulo is now answering my emails and he requests an additional US$140 to ship the balance. I requested a refund of the unshipped order, or US$170. Is anyone surprised that he refused? I have posted the complete and unedited email thread at :
http://www.gac-seeds.com/paulo-silva.htm
Amit said,
Hi:
I am also interested to BUY the seeds of Copaifera that Germinates. I understand many people are totally cheaters in this world but in the mean time you have to deal with such people some how.
Can you suggest if there is good company in this world marketing the seeds. I understand
a farmer in Australia has been planting 20,000 trees and he may have a good answer.
I am trying to contact him thru e-mail but is difficult. His name is Mike Jubow, Queensland’s
Wholesale Nunyara Nursery.
I hope I can contact him in the future.
Thanks for your e-mail so that people are not cheated.
Amit
Mike Jubow said,
I have just come across this web site and I think I can be of help to those of you outside Australia, trying to get Copaifera langsdorfii seed. I have had to work hard to get a reliable sources of this seed for over three years. There are still a lot of things that are outside of my control such as germination rate, and I can offer no real guarantee on it. I have had some batches of seed in the past that only had 10 to 15 % germination rate and just had to wear it. A good success rate is anything over 60% but more often it averages at around 40%. But you can access seed reliably from me without getting ripped of. What I can do, is give you the benefit of my experience so you can get the best out of a batch.
Anyone interested can email me at; nunyara@activ8.net.au
Regards to our green friends
Mike Jubow
Nunyara Wholesale P/L
Mackay
Australia.
Alfredo Fabor said,
I sell and sending seeds Copaifera (copaiba)
alfredofabor@hotmail.com
Alfredo Fabor said,
I sell and sending seeds of Copaifera (Copaiba)
Alfredo Fabor said,
Hi,
SALES Diesel Plant (Copaifera langsdorfii) seeds (Brazil) tropical rainforest®inc. contact now … alfredofabor@hotmail.com Fast Ship to USA & Word Fresh High Quality seeds
Min. Order: 1 Kilogram
Price: US $350
Thanks in advance,
Alfredo Fabor
Abdul said,
pls am from nigeria i want to buy the diesel tree seed? i want to work on it as my project