A new way to speed up biofuel production
August 30, 2009 by Qossay Takroori
Filed under Future Technology, Science
Researchers around the world are racing to find new ways to replace the gasoline in automobiles. Gasoline is getting more expensive and its not environment friendly. So, researchers at Ohio State University have found a new method to double the production of biofuel butanol, and they are hoping that it soon will replace gasoline in automobiles.
bacteria could only produce a certain amount of butanol — perhaps 15 grams of the chemical for every liter of water in the tank — before the tank would become too toxic for the bacteria to survive, explained Shang-Tian Yang, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Ohio State.
Yang and his colleagues developed a mutant strain of the bacterium Clostridium beijerinckii in a bioreactor containing bundles of polyester fibers. In that environment, the mutant bacteria produced up to 30 grams of butanol per liter.
Right now, butanol is mainly used as a solvent, or in industrial processes that make other chemicals. But experts believe that this form of alcohol holds potential as a biofuel.
Once developed as a fuel, butanol could potentially be used in conventional automobiles in place of gasoline, while producing more energy than another alternative fuel, ethanol.
Yang said that this use of his patented fibrous-bed bioreactor would ultimately save money.
“Today, the recovery and purification of butanol account for about 40 percent of the total production cost,” explained Yang, “Because we are able to create butanol at higher concentrations, we believe we can lower those recovery and purification costs and make biofuel production more economical.”
Currently, a gallon of butanol costs approximately $3.00 — a little more than the current price for a gallon of gasoline.
The engineers are applying for a patent on the mutant bacterium and the butanol production methodology, and will work with industry to develop the technology.
Full post credit – Newswise.com
Nissan Introduces the New ECO Pedal For better Fuel Efficiency
August 8, 2008 by Qossay Takroori
Filed under Future Technology
The race continues for better mileage and the goal you know it, saving money. Nissan Motor Company announced a new system that will improve fuel efficiency by 5 to 10 percent. A meddling gas pedal may please many people, but also some people might reject the idea. Why? Well, the new system doesn’t allow people to drive fast; the car will start pushing back when drivers try to drive too fast. The system was engineered to calculate the most fuel efficient rate of acceleration and pushes the gas pedal back against the driver’s lead foot, according to the Associated Press.
Future Fuel from Bacteria
August 7, 2008 by Qossay Takroori
Filed under Future Technology
A researcher team form the University of Sheffield led by Dr Guido Sanguinetti, said that they one step closer to generate fuel from bacteria. Humans and any other living creatures, go through a complex sequence of chemical reactions that transforms nutrients into energy and waste. Yes its metabolism, bacteria also support themselves through their metabolism. Using a mathematical computer models, the Sheffield team have mapped the metabolism of a type of bacteria called Nostoc.
Human Waste into Usable Fuel
July 7, 2008 by admin
Filed under Future Technology
