The two main byproducts of the whisky production process are “pot ale” - the leftover liquid in the copper stills - and the used-up grains called “draff,” which together can be processed into the fuel butanol. Butanol could be burned entirely on its own, but more likely it would be mixed with gasoline or diesel at about ten percent to reduce the amount of petroleum needed to produce a gallon of fuel.
The process is a clever means of extracting extra production and revenue from one of Soctland’s biggest and most active industries, and because it produces biofuel from industrial waste it doesn’t require any additional agriculture or resource consumption on top of what’s already taking place. Perhaps best of all, turning the waste material into biofuel takes nothing away from the product itself, so drivers get to have their scotch and burn it too - though ideally not at the same time.
[PhysOrg]
Popular Science has been a leading source of science, technology and gadget news since 1872. With up-to-the minute latest space news, insightful commentary on the new innovations and concept cars ...if it's new or future technology you'll find it at popsci.com.au.
WW Media - Popular Science © 2010
Technology - DIY - Videos