Current:Home > StocksScottish Scientists Develop Whisky Biofuel -Golden Summit Finance
Scottish Scientists Develop Whisky Biofuel
View
Date:2025-04-18 22:06:33
by Kirsty Scott, Guardian
It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "one for the road". Whisky, the spirit that powers the Scottish economy, is being used to develop a new biofuel which could be available at petrol pumps in a few years.
Using samples from the Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian, researchers at Edinburgh Napier University have developed a method of producing biofuel from two main by-products of the whisky distilling process – "pot ale", the liquid from the copper stills, and "draff", the spent grains.
Copious quantities of both waste products are produced by the £4bn whisky industry each year, and the scientists say there is real potential for the biofuel, to be available at local garage forecourts alongside traditional fuels. It can be used in conventional cars without adapting their engines. The team also said it could be used to fuel planes and as the basis for chemicals such as acetone, an important solvent.
The new method developed by the team produces butanol, which gives 30% more power output than the traditional biofuel ethanol. It is based on a 100-year-old process that was originally developed to produce butanol and acetone by fermenting sugar. The team has adapted this to use whiskey by-products as a starting point and has filed for a patent to cover the new method. It plans to create a spin-out company to commercialise the invention.
Professor Martin Tangney, who directed the project said that using waste products was more environmentally sustainable than growing crops specifically to generate biofuel. He added that it could contribute significantly to targets set by the EU for biofuels to account for 10% of total fuel sales by 2020.
"What people need to do is stop thinking ‘either or’; people need to stop thinking like for like substitution for oil. That’s not going to happen. Different things will be needed in different countries. Electric cars will play some role in the market, taking cars off the road could be one of the most important things we ever do."
Dr Richard Dixon, of WWF Scotland, welcomed the project.
"The production of some biofuels can cause massive environmental damage to forests and wildlife," he said. "So whisky powered-cars could help Scotland avoid having to use those forest-trashing biofuels."
veryGood! (45)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Here's a big reason why people may be gloomy about the economy: the cost of money
- A California county ditched its vote counting machines. Now a supporter faces a recall election
- Family Dollar is fined over $40 million due to a rodent infestation in its warehouse
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ordered to take DNA test in paternity case
- Mississippi man gets more than 3 years for threatening violence via social media site
- The Daily Money: 'Surge' pricing at the drive-thru?
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- A Detroit couple is charged in the death of a man who was mauled by their 3 dogs
Ranking
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Electronic Arts cutting about 5% of workforce with layoffs ongoing in gaming and tech sector
- Toni Townes-Whitley says don't celebrate that she is one of two Black female Fortune 500 CEOs
- Ryan Gosling will sing 'I'm Just Ken' at the 2024 Oscars: Who else is performing?
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- What is IVF? Explaining the procedure in Alabama's controversial Supreme Court ruling.
- Richard Lewis, comedian and Curb Your Enthusiasm star, dies at age 76
- Horoscopes Today, February 28, 2024
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Storyboarding 'Dune' since he was 13, Denis Villeneuve is 'still pinching' himself
Donna Summer's estate sues Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign, accusing artists of illegally using I Feel Love
CDC braces for shortage after tetanus shot discontinued, issues new guidance
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Owners of St. Louis nursing home that closed abruptly face federal fine of more than $55,000
2 Mexico mayoral candidates from same town killed as political violence spirals ahead of elections
Former UGA student's slaying prompts fierce national debate on immigration