Re:Another angle on biogas...and patties

[Guest guest]

Dear Prabhus:

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Regarding gobar gas, I thought it worth mentioning the following: While

methane digesters may be more ugra-karma than we would like to demonstrate in

our ideal of simplicity, it has a value beyond fuel production which may be

worthwhile to consider. Our interest in protecting Krsna's cows extends not

only to those cows who are under the care of the devotees. How do we convince

the average dairyman not to slaughter his dry cows and bull calves? They are

not likely to consider such a proposition until we can show them that it is

economically advantageous to keep the cows alive. Potentially, a methane

plant can fuel and heat a dairy operation and still leave the dairyman with

the fertilizer he depends on. If at some time petro-fuels become scarce,

methane can be used. This was done throughout Europe very successfully during

W.W.II saving many from starvation. Cow manure, lots of it, made it possible

to continue large scale grain production. Even a dry cow became useful for

more that meat.

But getting back to the modern dairyman: While working with Balabhadra

Prabhu, I started researching methane production. I tried to arrange to do a

tour of the biogas research facilities of Ithaca University in NY, one of

many projects making great advances in biogas technology. They informed me

that their facility had been purchased (bought out) by Agway, and so a tour

was not possible. Why did Agway do this? It was in their interest to suppress

a competing technology. Agway is in the business of selling, among other

things, farm fuels. Some one who produced and marketed a turnkey methane

plant that tied directly into a dairyman's automated manure management system

producing all the energy required to run the dairy operation (compressors,

lights, pumps, water heaters, barn cleaners, milk coolers, etc.) and yielding

fertilizer, the nutrients of which would be more readily available to the

soil, would not only make a fortune, but would also take a chunk out of the

profits of the local utility co. and companies like Agway. The real point

here is that if dairies could operate without energy costs by keeping cows

alive at relatively little cost, they would do it. Lot's of researchers are

banking on this idea. Many other universities and companies are currently

researching biogas, finding ways to maximize a plant's efficiency. While

biogas production is not the simplest technology, it's not very complicated

either. Biogas plants are used extensively throughout China and many third

world countries where it provides not only a productive means of managing

animal manures, but human waste as well. Many of these plants are simple

enough in their design and construction that simple villagers can build,

maintain and repair them using only the materials supplied by Krsna through

the land. What is required is some knowledge, but not that much. But anyway,

it wasn't my intention to make a case for biogas. That would become a rather

lengthy discourse and while I think I could make a convincing argument, the

fact is, I'm not sure it's what we should do for the sake of energy

production. I do, however believe that it may be an important means to

demonstrate the value of keeping cows alive, and that's my real point.

Utility is the principle here. In contrast to this there's another downside

which is what would happen when this technology is applied to the beef

industry!

Regarding gobar patties as fuel; while serving in India (1976-77) I

read news articles indicating that researchers found that the smoke of

burning gobar patties for cooking was responsible for eye problems such as

cataracts as well as a variety of respiratory illnesses. They could be wrong

of course, but it's something to consider nonetheless. Nothing is perfect in

the material world, in fact, it's engineered to be that way.

Alas, I am a man of very little brain. Sudra that I am, I have no

business trying to make important decisions. My only value will be if I can

somehow assist the rest of you Prabhus. My humble apologies if these issues

were already discussed. Regrettably, it's been difficult for me to keep

current on the gobar/biogas discussions due to illness. Thanks for your time.

YS, Taraka dasa

[Guest guest]

Taraka das wrote:

 

>Regarding gobar patties as fuel; while serving in India (1976-77) I

>read news articles indicating that researchers found that the smoke of

>burning gobar patties for cooking was responsible for eye problems such as

>cataracts as well as a variety of respiratory illnesses. They could be

>wrong of course, but it's something to consider nonetheless. Nothing is

>perfect in the material world, in fact, it's engineered to be that way.

 

Interesting discussions.

 

I would disagree with whaty you found in the news articles re cow dung

smoke.

 

When I was in Calcutta printing my book I met a boy in the park at Lake

Avenue. He had severe cataracts in both eyes. He was continually screaming

and moaning, always hungry, a distraught figure of humity. I took him and

his family to the Ramakrsna Mission hospital where the doctor gave

injections. The doctor said that this boy was suffering from severe vitamin

deficiency syndrome. And that the problem was so advanced that even if they

had the money to operate it would be too late to save his vision.

Afterwards I took them out to get a taxi back to the park and we stopped to

rest at a food stand. I ordered them all puri and subjee. The boy got it in

his hands and forced it into his mouth regardless the fact it was burning

hot. He ate it so fast it was painfull to see.

 

I beleive from reasearch also that deficiency of proper food diet is the

cause of such ailments, not the burning of cow-dung as the papers may like

us to beleive.