What would it take to make an engine that runs off cow farts?

Discussion in 'Architecture & Engineering' started by Beaconator, Oct 21, 2019.

  1. Beaconator Valued Senior Member

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    I believe making the engine would be easier than collecting all the farts.
     
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  3. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    It sounds whey too complicated.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2019
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  5. billvon Valued Senior Member

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  7. Beaconator Valued Senior Member

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    Its not like you would have to start from scratch. The hard part of basic vehicle mechanics is already done. Plus just think of the value you could get out of selling fart collectors.
     
  8. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    A lot of cows.
     
  9. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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  10. RainbowSingularity Valued Senior Member

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    udder nonsense

    the correct reply is
    "how do you collect farm gate prices?"
    lol
     
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  11. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Ah, someone who got my joke.

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  12. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    But IMO, the idea is viable. All it takes is storage devices with facility for compression. Methane can then be used like any natural gas engine. Problem is in the capture.

    Of course, just a straight vat of legumes and the digestive bacteria could simulate the same function as digestion and produce the methane in an enclosed area.

    If they can compress hydrogen and transfer to on-board gas tanks, methane should be a snap.
     
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  13. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    And immobilizing the cows. Will they spend their lives strapped to a machine?

    It's not like milking them; methane won't stay in the cow until it's convenient for extraction.
     
  14. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Noooo. of course we should have an on- board cow pen.
    We can use intubated hoses. I would suggest that in order to have sufficient room for driving, only 2 ton trucks should be used with this form of propulsion sytem....

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    On a slightly related tack.
    We have a lot of potatoes here in Idaho. Several friends of mine have experimented with potato engines. The record distance so far is from Coeur d'Alene to Boise on a 10 lb bag of potatoes....

    It also functions on a expulsion propulsion, similar to a potato gun. It tends to get noisy..., people often stop to ask if the engine's timing is off and if the driver needs help.....

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    It is recommended not to stand behind the exhaust.

    A beneficial side-effect is that the used potatoes are mashed and cooked after they are expelled.
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2019
  15. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    A "bloat-mobile"? It might fly!!!......

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  16. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    How would you feel about living in a domed stadium with Quantum Quack?
     
  17. Beaconator Valued Senior Member

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    Aged viel.... Or solar powered compressors...

    Mmm... Tender.
     
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  18. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    A flying saucer?
     
  19. Truck Captain Stumpy The Right Honourable Reverend Truck Captain Valued Senior Member

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    interesting topic!
    if you intubate you can't feed the cow - you would have to have surgically modified tubes in the neck in order to allow feeding (which creates the methane) that won't clog and allows for freedom of manoeuver. Intubation tubes are invasive (and frightening, especially if the cow is awake and capable of seeing and feeling it)

    of course, as you note above: it's smarter, cheaper and easier to just build a vat system (and then eat the cow)
     
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  20. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Nah. Stick a tube down its throat. The esophagus will close around it when it's not passing food, allowing gas to pass out.

    I've been intubated (into my stomach) while awake for a day. Indeed, it is invasive and frightening - to the point that the cure is worse than the ailment. But I could eat (or at least slurp).
     
  21. Truck Captain Stumpy The Right Honourable Reverend Truck Captain Valued Senior Member

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    but ya couldn't eat a steak, could you?
    (ya see what I did there?

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    )

    I still say we should build vats and eat the cows.
    or rather, let yall eat the cows because I prefer buffalo. with bacon, of course...

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  22. Beaconator Valued Senior Member

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    Bufallo make bacon?
     
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  23. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    No, Buffalo make Big Bang!.............

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