Researchers at Ghent University, Belgium have developed a novel process that turns grass into biofuel.
Scientists at the Centre for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University in Belgium have developed a way to turn grass into biofuel, “grassoline”.
– Until now, grass has mainly served as feed for animals. We can get more out of grass: due to its vast abundance, it is an attractive source to produce organics such as aviation fuel, explained Way Cern Khor.
Work in progress
During his PhD research at Ghent University, Khor investigated methods that disintegrate and bioconvert grass until it can be used as a fuel. The grass is first pretreated to increase biodegradability. Then enriched bacteria are utilized to convert the sugars in the grass into lactic acid and its derivatives.
The lactic acid can already serve as an intermediate chemical to produce other compounds such as biodegradable plastics (PLA) or fuels. In this case, the lactic acid is converted into caproic acid which was further converted into products such as decane, which can be used as fuel, for example for aviation.
According to Khor, the approach is revolutionary. Although the amount of biofuel that currently can be made from grass in the laboratory is limited to a few drops, the results indicate that the overall conversion can be highly efficient.
– If we can keep working on optimizing this process, particularly in cooperation with industrial partners, the efficiency will come up and feasibility will follow. And maybe in a few years time, we can all fly on grass, concluded Khor.
