While nature takes millions of years to convert various plant types into crude oil (which is then refined into gasoline for our vehicles), scientists at Ghent University have discovered a way to shorten this process to just 3 weeks in a laboratory setting.
By pre-treating grass to accelerate its decomposition, and then introducing Clostridium bacteria—similar to those found in the human gut—they ultimately aim to produce decan (C10H22), a primary component of gasoline and jet fuel.
Although decan is a type of fuel that contributes to pollution, it is still necessary for the aviation industry for at least the next few decades. Researchers hope that the process they have developed is efficient enough for commercialization.
Grass grows rapidly, promising a future of affordable fuel derived from plants.
Details of the grass-to-fuel process:
- First, scientists treat the grass with compounds to make it easier to decompose, while also aiding the bacteria in digestion. They then introduce the Clostridium bacteria into the grass, which is similar to beneficial bacteria in the human stomach.
- Next, they carry out a fermentation process akin to beer brewing to produce lactic acid and its derivatives, which are further processed to obtain caproic acid.
- Finally, another process is conducted to yield the end product, decan.
Of course, decan is also an environmentally unfriendly fuel as it produces CO2 when burned. Nevertheless, it remains a high-energy-density fuel that is essential for a multitude of human needs. Notably, it is one of the crucial components of jet fuel, praised for its excellent characteristic of being lightweight.
Currently, the aforementioned process can only produce a few drops of fuel, but researchers assert that it is highly efficient and just requires further improvements to become commercially viable. Unlike corn, which has also been used as fuel previously, grass can be found virtually anywhere and grows rapidly, making it a promising source of affordable plant-based fuel in the future.
