From the December issue of Discover magazine.
Huber's "bright idea": Produce ethanol or other renewable fuels from biomass we do not use for food.
This has been addressed in A Cooler world previously. Grassoline is one such fuel, onion skins another. Non-edible plants are known as cellulosic biomass and include wood chips and agricultural waste, all of which can be converted to fuel.
First you break it down to liquid or gas form. Then add catalysts to convert it into a compound. From this basic compound of biomass one can produce gasoline, diesel, even jet fuel.
People could be at the pump and not even know that they are pumping a plant product in their tank; it can be used interchangeably meaning that radical engineering changes in automobile manufacturing won't be necessary.
And it can happen in five to 15 years.
Another bonus: lower to zero admissions when compared to fossil fuels.
Woo hoo!
Huber's "bright idea": Produce ethanol or other renewable fuels from biomass we do not use for food.
This has been addressed in A Cooler world previously. Grassoline is one such fuel, onion skins another. Non-edible plants are known as cellulosic biomass and include wood chips and agricultural waste, all of which can be converted to fuel.
First you break it down to liquid or gas form. Then add catalysts to convert it into a compound. From this basic compound of biomass one can produce gasoline, diesel, even jet fuel.
People could be at the pump and not even know that they are pumping a plant product in their tank; it can be used interchangeably meaning that radical engineering changes in automobile manufacturing won't be necessary.
And it can happen in five to 15 years.
Another bonus: lower to zero admissions when compared to fossil fuels.
Woo hoo!
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