Japanese Scientists Discover New Source of Fuel – From Animal Manure.
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Cow dung – a new material used for gasoline production by Japanese researchers. |
A team of Japanese researchers has announced the discovery of a new source of fuel – derived from animal manure.
Professor Sakae Shibusawa from the Agricultural Engineering Department at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology stated that his team successfully produced 11.9 grams of gasoline from 99.2 grams of cow dung using high pressure and heat.
This new production technology holds practical benefits for livestock farmers while significantly reducing the volume of waste generated from animal manure.
It is estimated that Japan produces over 551 tons of animal manure annually using this technology.
Tomiaki Tamura, an official from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, remarked: “Gasoline has garnered a considerable amount from cow dung, a previously unknown raw material“.
Japan is aware that most of its fuel needs must be met through imports to satisfy consumer demand.
Additionally, the research team has assisted staff from the National Institute of Industrial Technology and Research near Tokyo in producing gasoline by introducing a significant amount of an unidentified metal catalyst along with cow dung into a container, followed by applying gas compression and heating up to 300 degrees Celsius. However, details about the catalyst have yet to be disclosed.
The research team hopes to refine this new technology and make it widely available within the next five years.
Meanwhile, another group of researchers has conducted an experiment using cow dung and successfully identified a vanilla fragrance compound derived from it.
Alongside the allure of the fragrance, the chemical vanillin can also be used as a scent for shampoos and candles, according to Miki Tsuruta, spokesperson for Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. Furthermore, in a collaborative project with the Japanese Medical Research Institute, the chemical vanillin has been used to create pressure in rice cookers.
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