UK's Steam Trains Could Soon Be Powered by [Poop]????

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon May 30, 2022 12:30 am

Yes, it's the most "clickbait" headline possible in possibly the most "clickbait" "news" source in the English Language (and that's saying a LOT)................

But soon we'll be desperate..............

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18724171/ ... ed-by-poo/

Quote:

THE nation’s steam trains could soon be powered by human poo — to prevent pollution.

Scientists have worked out how to turn human, and food, waste into synthetic coal to replace fossil fuels on locos.

The “biocoal” is produced by pressurising sewage under water at 250°C before condensing it into solid lumps.

The smokeless alternative was successfully tested on a line in West Yorks and may be adopted by the Heritage Railways Association (HRA).

It is trying to make the sector carbon neutral to go green and combat supply problems linked to the war in Ukraine, a big exporter.

Some 26,000 tons a year are imported to power vintage trains at over 150 lines.

HRA chief executive Steve Oates said its biocoal test was a “significant milestone in the history of steam locomotives in the UK”.

Train fireman Noel Hartley said shovelling the biocoal involved a completely different technique. He said: “You’ve got to make sure you get it really hot to start with.”

Biocoal maker CPL Industries said its smokeless fuel would meet the needs of steam engine users.

Dave · **Posted:** Mon May 30, 2022 2:32 pm

No shortage in the foreseeable future. Why not?

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

Dave · **Posted:** Mon May 30, 2022 6:35 pm

The Gobar gas producer in India fermented it and piped it's volatile offgas into homes as a cooking fuel. Methane burns quite nicely but smells like...... oh, you know.

mrwalsh85 · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:55 pm **Posts:** 100

Interesting that waste can be converted to a renewable fuel, isn't it?

In college, I interned for a small company that had developed a method to take hog manure, pressurize it in a "reactor" (a boiler) for a certain length of time at a certain pressure at a certain temperature, and the output was a very thick oil that smelled something nasty, and basically turned into a solid tar-like material. I quickly resigned to the fact that the clothes I wore to the farm were now dedicated for that purpose only.

This material was later used as a binder for asphalt and a test section was poured some time after my internship ended.

The company eventually folded - glad I didn't explore future employment with them!

Lots of ways to use waste. You just need to think outside of the garbage can!

JohnHillier · **Posted:** Mon May 30, 2022 11:40 pm

Now you'll never think about butts in seats the same way ever again.

Frisco1522 · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2022 9:14 am

I wonder who will be the first fireman to complain he had a shitty load of coal?

McKee · **Joined:** Thu May 26, 2022 5:47 am **Posts:** 2

mrwalsh85 wrote:

Interesting that waste can be converted to a renewable fuel, isn't it?

Yes, this is the case. Because of the heat that the waste gives off (CO2). This heat is converted into energy.