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Researchers Use Bacteria to Produce Potential Gasoline Replacement Directly From Cellulose

Posted March 10, 2011 9:45 AM

From Gizmag:

With the situation in Libya causing a spike in fuel prices worldwide there's some good biofuel-related news out of the U.S. Department of Energy's BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) that could help to reduce many countries' dependence on oil imports. For the first time, BESC researchers have succeeded in producing isobutanol directly from cellulosic plant matter using bacteria. Being a higher grade of alcohol than ethanol, isobutanol holds particular promise as a gasoline replacement as it can be burned in regular car engines with a heat value similar to gasoline.

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#1

Re: Researchers Use Bacteria to Produce Potential Gasoline Replacement Directly From Cellulose

03/11/2011 8:26 AM

This article is interesting and timely. Dr. Geoffrey S. Bayliss, a noted and world authority on Geochemisty, has been generating all forms of methane, pentane, etc., and even condensates, from cellulose in his laboratory, Ceochem Laboratories, Inc. in Houston, Texas.

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#2

Re: Researchers Use Bacteria to Produce Potential Gasoline Replacement Directly From Cellulose

03/11/2011 8:28 AM

Sorry about that, it should have been Geochem Laboratories, Inc., Houston, Texas.

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#3

Re: Researchers Use Bacteria to Produce Potential Gasoline Replacement Directly From Cellulose

03/11/2011 11:56 AM

So does this mean we have a solution for obesity as well as the dependence on foreign fuel?

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#4
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Re: Researchers Use Bacteria to Produce Potential Gasoline Replacement Directly From Cellulose

03/11/2011 12:55 PM

Not sure I see the relationship between obesity and cellulose. Do you know of someone who is obese because they consume too much cellulose?

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#5
In reply to #4

Re: Researchers Use Bacteria to Produce Potential Gasoline Replacement Directly From Cellulose

03/11/2011 1:19 PM

sorry, it was a poor attempt to be humorous. Cellulose is close to the spelling of cellulite which is caused by the herniation of subcutaneous fat (generally in women).

So I was implying one could have a business where they offer reduction in cellulite, turn around and use the byproduct for fuel.

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