Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have created an exciting new way to turn harmful gases like methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels using special bacteria. This work, led by Prof. Debasish Das and Dr. Krishna Kalyani Sahoo, was published in a scientific journal called Fuel.
Why Is This Important?
Methane is a type of greenhouse gas that traps heat and is 27 to 30 times more harmful to our planet than carbon dioxide. Finding cleaner ways to use these gases can help reduce pollution and create renewable energy. Most current methods to change methane and carbon dioxide into usable fuel are expensive and energy-hungry, plus they can produce harmful leftovers.
What Did the Researchers Do?
The team found a biological method using a special type of bacteria called Methylosinus trichosporium. This bacteria can take in methane and carbon dioxide and turn them into a fuel called bio-methanol at lower temperatures and pressures, making the process more efficient.
How Does It Work?
1. The bacteria capture methane to create their own biomass (a kind of living material).
2. They then use this biomass to change carbon dioxide into methanol.
By improving the process with smart engineering, the researchers were able to get more methanol from less gas.
“This study is groundbreaking! It shows how we can create bio-methanol from waste gases instead of using crops to make fuel. This means we won’t compete with food production and helps reduce pollution,” said Prof. Debasish Das.
This research helps solve two big problems: the bad effects of greenhouse gases on our environment and the dwindling supply of fossil fuels.
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