You can still get energy out though,
from what I can tell it just breaks down the carbon chains to shorter molecules that burn easier and with less crap. Divert enough of the energy back to get it self sustaining and you'll get some gas/electricity that can go somewhere else.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 14 Mar 2012, 11:16, 3 replies, latest was 13 years ago)

You'll have to keep it running all the time though.

(PsychoChomp, Wed 14 Mar 2012, 11:16, Reply)

They'll find an alternative to fossil fuels one day
we might as well enjoy them while we can
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 14 Mar 2012, 11:18, Reply)

This is basically fossil fuels, but instead of waiting for the geology to change the state they're
doing it with an industrial process.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 14 Mar 2012, 11:21, Reply)

which uses more energy that then can possiby produce.

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 14 Mar 2012, 11:35, Reply)

you can't possibly make that process self-sustaining.
from an energy point of view. the only way to do it and "make" energy is biologically.

"Divert enough of the energy back to get it self sustaining" - you're talking the equivalent of a perpetual motion machine. Only one that actually makes motion out of nothing.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 14 Mar 2012, 11:33, Reply)

I know where you're coming from
but it's not perpetual motion because there's a whole shitload of feeder fuel coming in.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 14 Mar 2012, 11:55, Reply)

what they are doing is catalytic hydrocarbon cracking by another name
it's energy negative. always has been and always will be.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 14 Mar 2012, 12:15, Reply)