Makin' ethanol from the old poplar tree
Technically, as many of our readers know, you can make ethanol out of any plant material. But some plants (and part of plants) are easier to convert to the biofuel than others. Researchers at Purdue University think that the fast-growing poplar tree (it's harvestable in seven years, they say) could easily make good ethanol. The research team got a $1.4 million grant from the Department of Energy to study using genetic tools to design poplars that "can readily and inexpensively yield the substances needed to produce ethanol", according to Renewable Energy Access. Poplar trees grow across the North American continent. The researchers will try to modify a compound in cell walls called lignin that contributes to plants' structural strength and hinders extraction of cellulose. Some benefits to using the trees in making ethanol are that, "You're not applying pesticides every year; you're not trampling all over the site every year and compacting the soil. You're allowing nutrients to recycle every year when the leaves fall and degrade," said Purdue science faculty member Richard Meilan.
[Source: Purdue University]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marc 4:29PM (9/11/2006)
Great, now let's chop down trees to make ethanol. Kinda like what Brazil is doing. This will really help save the planet.
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msa 10:09PM (9/11/2006)
The trees would be grown as a crop, the same way that corn or soybeans is now grown. Were not talking about leveling Yosemite here.
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Matthew Murrian 11:56PM (9/29/2006)
If we are concerned about sustainability and environmental compatability then using renewable resources for our energy needs is the ideal thing to do. You've heard of the division of foresty, correct? Do they seem like tree huggers to you? They essentially engineer forests to optimize timber yield and they sell that timber. However, they do so responsibly and in an environmentally friendly manner.
Environmentalists themselves acknowledge that _responsible_ utilization of renewable resources (ie things that grow) is the right thing to do.
Brazil has lands which are dedicated to timber production. The land is cleared and prepared, trees are planted in high density, and after reaching maturity they are harvested and planted again. It sure doesn't look good after harvest but it improves.
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