Fuel Producing Bacteria

clipped from memebox.com Luca Technologies raises $76 million for microbes that 'eat' coal, 'breathe out' natural gas clipped from www.technologyreview.com Fuel from Coal-Eating Microbes A process for converting coal into natural gas could help reduce emissions. Luca Technologies, a startup based in Golden, CO, has raised $76 million to scale up a process that uses coal-digesting microorganisms to convert coal into methane. The process is designed to operate underground, inside coal beds. Methane, the key component of natural gas, can then be pumped out and used to generate electricity or power vehicles. Gas bugs: Methane-generating bacteria on a coal sample from Wyoming's Powder River Basin, viewed by scanning electron microscopy. Credit: Luca Technologies clipped from www.lucatechnologies.com

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How a Geobioreactor Functions

The biogenic creation of methane from a higher molecular weight hydrocarbon source is a multi-step process, most likely accomplished by a consortium of microorganisms acting together in a symbiotic fashion. Through a series of steps, various organisms in the consortium breakdown the large hydrocarbon molecules in coal or oil into intermediate, water-soluble compounds, which are then reduced to even smaller hydrocarbon molecules, and finally metabolized into methane by a group of organisms known as methanogens.

In order for a Geobioreactor to function, the appropriate environmental conditions must be present, including an abundant hydrocarbon substrate (such as a coal bed), a water-saturated environment, a complete absence of free oxygen, and the presence of the correct consortia of organisms.

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Luca Technologies raises $76 million for microbes that 'eat' coal, 'breathe out' natural gas
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Turning CO2 into Fuel

clipped from www.technologyreview.com Turning Carbon Dioxide into Fuel Researchers are harnessing solar energy to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, which can be used to make fuels. Sun power: Putting the finishing touches on a giant solar collector, which researchers at National Laboratories will use to power a novel reactor capable of producing carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide. The carbon monoxide can then be used in the manufacture liquid fuels. Credit: Randy Montoya clipped from www.sandia.gov Sandia researcher Rich Diver assembles a prototype device intended to chemically reenergize carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, which ultimately could become the building block to synthesize a liquid combustible fuel. (Photo by Randy Montoya) The Sandia research team calls this approach “Sunshine to Petrol” (S2P). “Liquid Solar Fuel” is the end product — the methanol, gasoline, or other liquid fuel made from water and the carbon monoxide produced using solar energy.

It's excellent work and, in principle, scientifically quite possible, says Christian Sattler, of the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Center, in Cologne. "The question is, at what efficiency?" he says. "How much energy does it take to carry out this reduction? It may be more efficient to use the solar energy for direct power production."

Related: ABC News: Scientists Turn CO2 into Gasoline

Earthrace

Racing round the world for a better planet

clipped from www.earthrace.net Earthrace has been built to break the official UMI ‘Round the World Speed Record by a powerboat. By running on exclusively 100% Biodiesel fuel, and with a net zero carbon footprint, this not-for-profit project aims to promote awareness of the environment and the sustainable use of resources. clipped from www.ecofriend.org

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