Coffee grounds and biodiesel. Coffee as a fuel for cars: this is the discovery of some researchers from the University of Cincinnati
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Coffee grounds e biodiesel. Coffee as a fuel for cars: this is the discovery of some researchers from the University of Cincinnati.
American researchers have discovered an element that could one day serve as a cheaper, cleaner fuel for our cars, ovens and other energy sources. Yang Liu, graduate in environmental engineering and member of the research group, presented the results of the three-year study at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society & Exposition this week in Indianapolis.
The team used a three-pronged approach to converting old coffee grounds into energy sources, including biodiesel e Activated carbon. In practice, they first collected the old coffee grounds from a Starbucks store on the university campus, then removed the oil by converting the triglycerides thus obtained into biodisel and glycerin. In addition, according to the scientists, the solid part left over from the drying process could be destined for the biomass market.
Preliminary results show that the oil content in coffee grounds is between 8,37 and 19,63%, and that the biodiesel thus obtained meets the international standard ASTM D6751. Not only that, but compared to diesel, cleaner burning biodiesel reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particular materials.
In short, considering the low cost of product purification, engineers see coffee grounds as a promising alternative. That soon one day we won't all be walking around with a pleasant aroma of coffee under our noses? We hope!
Germana Carillo
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- Coffee grounds: 20 ways to reuse them at home, in the garden and for beauty
