Nipate
Forum => Kenya Discussion => Topic started by: Omollo on April 07, 2015, 12:59:21 PM
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Not directly but bad news all the same - unless you are green and conscious of the global warming dangers
Scientists have dramatically increased the efficiency of producing clean hydrogen fuel from plant waste in a breakthrough that could one day lead to petrol stations being replaced by a network of roadside “bioreactors” for refuelling cars.
A study funded by Shell Oil has shown that it is possible to convert all 100 per cent of the sugar stored in corn stover – the stalks, cobs and husks leftover in a harvested maize field – into hydrogen gas with no overall increase in carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.
The researchers perfected the process by mixing the raw biomass with a watery solution containing a cocktail of ten enzymes that turned the plant sugars xylose and glucose into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, said Professor Percival Zhang of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Previously it has only been possible to convert between 30 per cent and 60 per cent of the plant’s sugars into hydrogen using either fermenting microbes or industrial catalysts. However, the latest technique converts 100 per cent of the plant sugars into hydrogen, Professor Zhang said.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/breakthrough-in-hydrogenpowered-cars-may-spell-end-for-petrol-stations-10158400.html
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Interesting. It seems like the ingredients are quite readily available - a blessing in disguise maybe. I get the feeling that it's more sustainable than fossil fuels.
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Why turkana. Why not the entire Oil industry. I think Oil will continue to being a key source energy for quite some time. Apart from Cars, we need Oil and Gas for many other functions.
Besides BioFuels still need to be grown on some land...where will one be getting maize stocks enough to ran cars! Nowadays you cannot get maize stalk or cob..they are being used to make animal feeds..
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An alternative to fossil fuel is not a bad idea. Makes fuel cheaper for everyone and boosts industrial development especially in developing countries. I wouldn't say these are bad news.
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The oil industry is in straits. A year or so they were looking at an average of $90/barrel, but the current $50 has driven many out of business and funds for exploration have dried.
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The oil industry is in straits. A year or so they were looking at an average of $90/barrel, but the current $50 has driven many out of business and funds for exploration have dried.
I still think this is a temporary setback.