Clean power from turkey dung?

[Ilya]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/12/16/energy.environment.turkeys.reut/index.html

It may not be the total answer to relieving the United States' addiction to foreign oil, but the plant will burn 90 percent turkey dung and create clean power for 55,000 homes.

55 megawatt, to be exact. But "clean"? Considering the amount of sulfur in turkey (or any land vertebrate) droppings, this power plant will need rather extensive SO2 scrubbers to be called "clean".

[Sammy]

I doubt if it would be much (if any) better than burning coal.

[archman]

At least it doesn't have to be mined.

[jrkeller]

I doubt if it would be much (if any) better than burning coal.

The article states that burning the dung releases as much CO2 as letting it decay.

[Ilya]

CO2 yes, but "clean" vs "dirty" power usually means things like sulfur compounds and nitrous oxides.

[frogesque]

CO2 yes, but "clean" vs "dirty" power usually means things like sulfur compounds and nitrous oxides.

Not to mention things like dioxin, PCBs and PCDs if the temperature of combustion is too low.

[electromagneticpulse]

At least it doesn't have to be mined.

Someone still has to go around with one hefty pooper scoop :P