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Story Tip
This is a story idea from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge
National Laboratory. To arrange for an interview with a researcher,
please contact the Communications and External Relations staff
member identified at the end of the tip.
RENEWABLES — Boost for biofuels . .
.
U.S. dependence on foreign oil could be further reduced with the
introduction of a patented technology that efficiently converts
biomass-derived alcohols to fuels that can power gasoline, diesel
and jet engines. “Our Z-CAT-B catalysts represent a disruptive
technology,” said Chaitanya Narula, a co-developer, “meaning that
this has the potential to create a new market for biofuels.” This
allows current bioethanol from starch, sugar or biomass to be made
into a “drop-in” fuel that utilizes existing fuel refinery and
distribution infrastructure. This renewable fuel performed as well
as gasoline in engine tests without modification to the engine or
components. A techno-economic analysis suggests that the price of
blend-stock produced from biomass-derived ethanol is
cost-effective.
