30-09-2014, 06:10 PM
The process of creating hydrocarbons is far faster from biotic processes than abiotic because carbon-based life forms tend to concentrate the carbon and hydrogen needed. Any carbon and hydrogen will work. If you have the time and the money you can cook fuel from compost, pig shit, turkey feathers, etc. or any other biological waste.
The problem is cost. It is far cheaper to drain the HC that have been produced for millions of years by natural processes (or either biotic or abiotic type) than to cook your own. That will change when the easy-to-get-to hydrocarbons are gone. No matter what sources you lump in with the petrochemicals, someday it will be gone.
Methane will be the fundamental building block of interstellar exploration and terraforming, if we ever get there. You can make fuel, water, air, etc. from methane. You should invest in the ground floor of extra-planetary methane mining, should you be fortunate enough to live that long.
The problem is cost. It is far cheaper to drain the HC that have been produced for millions of years by natural processes (or either biotic or abiotic type) than to cook your own. That will change when the easy-to-get-to hydrocarbons are gone. No matter what sources you lump in with the petrochemicals, someday it will be gone.
Methane will be the fundamental building block of interstellar exploration and terraforming, if we ever get there. You can make fuel, water, air, etc. from methane. You should invest in the ground floor of extra-planetary methane mining, should you be fortunate enough to live that long.
"All that is necessary for tyranny to succeed is for good men to do nothing." (unknown)
James Tracy: "There is sometimes an undue amount of paranoia among some conspiracy researchers that can contribute to flawed observations and analysis."
Gary Cornwell (Dept. Chief Counsel HSCA): "A fact merely marks the point at which we have agreed to let investigation cease."
Alan Ford: "Just because you believe it, that doesn't make it so."
James Tracy: "There is sometimes an undue amount of paranoia among some conspiracy researchers that can contribute to flawed observations and analysis."
Gary Cornwell (Dept. Chief Counsel HSCA): "A fact merely marks the point at which we have agreed to let investigation cease."
Alan Ford: "Just because you believe it, that doesn't make it so."