A better way of converting coffee waste to biofuel?

Ben Coxworth for New Atlas:  Used coffee grounds can already be turned into things such as water filters, road material, carbon-capture media, and biofuel. Unfortunately in the case of the latter, it's a fairly complex affair, making its widespread use unlikely. That could be about to change, however, as scientists from Britain's Lancaster University have simplified the coffee-grounds-to-biofuel conversion process.
First of all, the vast majority of used coffee grounds are still just thrown away.
Of those that are converted into biofuel, though, the process typically starts with the grounds being mixed with hexane and then heated to 60 ºC (140 ºF) for one to two hours, to extract oils from them. Next, the hexane is evaporated, leaving the oils behind. Methanol and a catalyst are then added to create biodiesel, although glycerol is also created as a by-product. In a final step, it must be separated from the biodiesel.  Full Article:
 

Comments (0)

This post does not have any comments. Be the first to leave a comment below.


Post A Comment

You must be logged in before you can post a comment. Login now.

Featured Product

U.S. BATTERY RENEWABLE ENERGY SERIES DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES

U.S. BATTERY RENEWABLE ENERGY SERIES DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES

Our RE Series batteries are designed to provide the highest peak capacity, longest cycle life, and greatest reliability for use in industrial or residential renewable energy applications. Renewable Energy Series batteries utilize the company's exclusive XC2™ formulation and Diamond Plate Technology® to create the industry's most efficient battery plates, delivering greater watt-hours per liter and watt-hours per kilogram than any other flooded lead-acid battery in the market. Our Deep Cycle batteries are engineered to work with solar panels as well as other renewable energy applications.