Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) developed an advanced biological method to convert methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels using methanotrophic bacteria.
The research, co-authored by Prof Debasish Das and Dr Krishna Kalyani Sahoo, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, has been published in Fuel, a journal by Elsevier.
Methane, a greenhouse gas that is 27-30 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is a significant contributor to global warming. While turning methane and carbon dioxide into liquid fuels can reduce emissions and provide renewable energy, existing chemical methods are energy-intensive, expensive, and produce toxic by-products, limiting their scalability.
The research team developed a fully biological process that uses Methylosinus trichosporium, a type of methanotrophic bacteria, to convert methane and carbon dioxide into bio-methanol under mild operating conditions. Unlike traditional chemical methods, this process eliminates the need for expensive catalysts, avoids toxic by-products, and operates in a more energy-efficient manner, mentioned the institute.
The innovative two-stage process involves:
- Capturing methane to generate bacteria-based biomass
- Utilising the biomass to convert carbon dioxide into methanol
The team further optimised the process using advanced engineering techniques to improve gas solubility, significantly enhancing methanol yields.
The research addresses two pressing global challenges: the harmful environmental impact of greenhouse gases and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves.
Tags: Biofuel, Carbon dioxide, IIT Guwahati, Methane
Recent Posts
EV charging sector needs regulatory clarity: Report
Fuel demand in January rises 3.2% to 20.49 million tonnes
Farmers in MP show interest in maize cultivation due to ethanol
Partnership working to create methanol fuel cells for cruise ships
Hydrogen train troubles in Germany: Alstom iLINT fleet undergoes overhaul
India allocates $647 mn for strategic oil reserves
Baidyanath Biofuels, ADVANTA Seeds work together to promote ethanol production
CUBE battery system certified by Lloyd’s Register, expanding market potential