From Trash To Gas
While reading the news a few weeks back, I came across an interesting article about an alternative energy company called Coskata. Immediately upon my completion of the article, I was reminded of my high school days. Back in high school two friends and myself did a project for the science fair on turning food waste into ethanol. The title on our wooden project board read “From Trash To Gas”.
Using waste food with high starch or sugar content (mainly fruits, breads, and certain vegetables) we were able to make a mash mixture, which upon the addition of water and yeast, fermented into a concoction with a low level of alcohol. Then through the usage of distillation, we were able to get a small amount of almost pure alcohol. This alcohol could have theoretically run an engine
Coskata is also producing energy in the form of ethanol from waste. Items ranging from switch grass to municipal waste (including tires) can all be used in their process. Yes, I did say tires. So how does the company do this? Coskata uses specially modified bacteria to feed on the gas given off by waste products. These bacteria are “trained” to then give off ethanol as an end product.
I see this is as a double bonus. Not only are we reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we are also protecting the environment from waste that otherwise crowds our landfills. Coskata plans on opening a testing facility in Pennsylvania soon and a commercial size facility also at a later date. For further information on Coskata please check out the companies website at www.coskata.com
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Definitely an interesting read for an ordinary man who is always looking to find some ways for cheaper alternative fuel. I think more research should be done in this field so that the production of alternative fuel by using trash is increased and any ordinary man can get direct benefit from it. It is also a good sign for the economy of the country, it will help to save enormous amount which is spent to import foreign oil.