GUWAHATI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has developed a biological method to convert methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels using methanotrophic bacteria.
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This innovation, led by Professor Debasish Das and Krishna Kalyani Sahoo of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, addresses the dual challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and diminishing fossil fuel reserves. Their findings have also been published in the journal Fuel by Elsevier .
The process utilises the bacterium Methylosinus trichosporium to convert methane and carbon dioxide into bio-methanol under mild conditions, eliminating the need for costly catalysts. This innovative two-stage method first captures methane to generate bacterial biomass, which is subsequently used to convert carbon dioxide into methanol. Advanced engineering techniques were employed to improve gas solubility, significantly increasing methanol yields.
When tested in a four-stroke diesel engine, diesel blended with bio-methanol (at 5-20% ratios) demonstrated remarkable results. Emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide, and smoke were reduced by up to 87%.
Furthermore, the blends outperformed pure diesel in fuel efficiency, energy output, and engine performance, all while maintaining comparable mechanical efficiency.
“This research is a breakthrough, showing that bio-methanol derived from bacteria feeding on greenhouse gases can serve as a viable alternative to fossil fuels,” said Professor Das. Unlike conventional biofuels, which rely on crops and risk competing with food production, this method uses greenhouse gases, avoiding the ‘food versus fuel’ dilemma.