Inedible portions of food items turn jet fuel
Posted on: 10/May/2014 2:54:05 PM
Scientists have developed an entirely new technology to transform lignocellulosic biomass to aviation fuel. They claim this to be the best low-cost and environment-friendly alternative to the conventionally used high-cost jet fuel. This method seems to be challenging in obtaining advanced biofuels apart from the ones based on ethanol or vegetable oils.
George Huber, professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison leads a multi-university team. He with his team has now developed this technology to obtain jet fuel from lignocellulosic. This is done via catalytic chemistry.
Commenting on this, researchers say this to be a promising approach that affirms the versatile nature of lignocellulose.
What is lignocellulosic?
For those who are perplexed without knowing what lignocellulosic is, here is a brief on it:
- This is a natural resource contained in the inedible portions of food crops and others including grass, trees and woody biomasses.
- This when processed with give transportation fuels and commodity chemicals, but would cost more.
Currently, this resource is used by Huber’s team to produce aviation fuels.
