Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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Bernie66
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Chocolate Could Contribute to New Source of Renewable EnergyResearch from the University of Birmingham in the UK suggests that by indulging in chocolate, we could be contributing to a new source of renewable energy.
Hydrogen is one of the cleanest fuels available and when used to power a fuel cell, the only by-product is water. Scientists at the University’s School of Biosciences have now found a way to extract hydrogen from confectionery waste – a process that could have a major impact on the future handling of food waste and its potential as a supplier of renewable energy.
Using E. coli bacteria, identified by the researchers as having the right sugar-consuming, hydrogen-generating properties, a fermenter is set up containing the bacteria along with the caramel-like waste product and a gas such as nitrogen. Under these conditions the E. coli ferments the sugars, generating a range of organic acids. To alleviate this toxicity in their environment they convert formic acid to hydrogen.
The hydrogen generates clean electricity via a fuel cell. It’s easy to see the potential of this exciting new research. Food factories could use their own product waste to generate energy for the manufacturing process; they might even be able to fuel their own vehicles from the hydrogen generated in this way. And it’s a technology that could be adapted for use with most forms of food waste, making it internationally applicable.
Its all good then!
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jocorless
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Yay go chocolate !!!!!!!!
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marigold
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um..... so you have a big vat of e-coli feeding on waste and producing hydrogen which produces nice clean electricity (and water), but what else is produced from the initial fermentation process? Huge vats of e-coli? What happens to THAT???
Sorry if that's a stupid question, but I'm no scientist 
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Northern_Lad
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| marigold wrote: | um..... so you have a big vat of e-coli feeding on waste and producing hydrogen which produces nice clean electricity (and water), but what else is produced from the initial fermentation process? Huge vats of e-coli? What happens to THAT???
Sorry if that's a stupid question, but I'm no scientist |
Depends what breed of e-coli it is - you've probably got some in your gut now and it's helping you get along.
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