Sunday, February 17, 2008

Bio-Crude from waste

Researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and Monash University in Austrailia have discovered a chmeical process that turns green waste into a stable bio-crude oil. The new research is part of CSIRO's commitment to delivering cleaner energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The process is both pratical and economical. By making slight changes to the process the researchers have been able to create a concentrated bio-crude that uses low value waste to produce valuable fuel. These low value waste include forest trimmings, crop residues, waste paper and garden waste. The use of waste for bio-crude essentially eliminates the need for the argument of food for fuel. Much of the plant waste used in this conversion contain a raw material for bio-ethanol called lignocellulose. Lignocellulose which is made up of cellulose, lignin, and a hemicellulose is renewable and may possibly be greenhouse gas neutral. The process is currently being patented.

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