I submitted this to /., but I'll post it here too. This sounds too good to be true, so I'm curious as to what some of the more informed B3D readers think of it. A simple yet promising innovation to Thermal Depolymerization appears to provide a very efficient process for getting oil and other useful materials out of industrial waste. Briefly, any carbon-based refuse can be decomposed into light crude oil, natural gas, industrially useful minerals, and sterilized water, with 85% efficiency and no toxic byproducts. Proof of concept is done, pilot projects are in the works, and widespread industry adaptation is expected by 2005. Here's the Discover article. The article gives all pros and no cons; is that b/c there are no cons to this new invention?
http://www.discover.com/may_03/gthere.html?article=featoil.html
http://www.discover.com/may_03/gthere.html?article=featoil.html