Cyclone Power TechnologiesPhoenix Power Group, it will be building a prototype of a generator powered by the external combustion of waste motor oil (PDF) -- a ubiquitous, renewable source of energy.
The first of these systems is predicted to churn out 50 kilowatts of electricity (enough to power about 50 American homes). Motor oil might not seem like the cleanest substance in the world, but Cyclone says it has devised a way to burn it cleanly and recover the heat released in the process. As part of the deal between Cyclone and Phoenix, the latter will be licensing the technology and hold the right to the Phoenix 5-Series generators that get built.
Recycling waste motor oil for this purpose could help the environment in several ways. Not only will it provide another, low-emission source of energy, but it will also hopefully encourage people and oil companies alike, to contain and save their waste motor oil. Right now, it accounts for an incredible amount of water contamination. Cyclone reports that the oil discarded from a single oil change is enough to make 1 million gallons of fresh water undrinkable.
If Cyclone's technology sounds a little too good to be true, consider the credibility of its leadership. Its founder, Harry Schoell, invented an advanced steam engine that was named Invention of the Year in 2008 by Popular Science Magazine. This engine, which Schoell claimed could run on almost anything, is now being adapted for electricity generation.
It's not surprising that the Phoenix Power Group would be looking for new uses of waste motor oil. While its focus is creating generators, it is owned by the Atlantic Systems Group, a large corporation that also happens to design and build automotive service stations. So there's no wondering where it's going to get all this used motor oil from.
Based in Pompano Beach, Fla., Cyclone has not disclosed any funding information. However, the deal with Phoenix should up its revenue for 2010 substantially.