A study conducted by researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the United States showed that bamboo could be a promising source for producing liquid biofuel used to power transportation, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional oil-derived fuels.
The researchers explained that the process relies on hydrothermal liquefaction technology, which enables the processing of biomass to produce raw bio-oil that can be used as a feedstock for fuel manufacturing. The results showed that bamboo has suitable characteristics for this process, most notably its rapid growth rate and its ability to produce large quantities of biomass, as well as its low ash content, which reduces waste generated during processing.
Economic modeling indicated that fuel extracted from bamboo could be produced at a cost of up to $2.75 per gallon equivalent of gasoline, in the event of large-scale commercial production after technology maturation, including the costs of building and operating facilities. According to the life cycle assessment conducted by the study, greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production and use of this fuel could be approximately 26 times lower than those of traditional diesel, with emissions intensity estimated at about 3.5 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy.
The researchers noted that bamboo, as a relatively fast-growing architectural plant, can provide large quantities of raw materials with relatively limited agricultural needs. The study estimated that fuel production from it could achieve a quantity similar to ethanol production from corn in the United States, using only about 13 percent of the agricultural land area required to produce this ethanol. The researchers believe that these characteristics make bamboo a source worthy of further research and development, particularly for producing liquid fuel used in sectors that are difficult to fully electrify, such as aviation and heavy transport.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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