New Delhi, Dec 9 - Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have introduced an innovative biological method to convert methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels using methanotrophic bacteria. This development addresses critical global challenges related to greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel depletion.
The research, published in the journal Fuel, highlights that methane is significantly more potent than carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming. The new method aims to transform these greenhouse gases into bio-methanol efficiently, utilizing a fully biological process that operates under mild conditions.
Professor Debasish Das explained that traditional chemical methods for this conversion are costly and produce harmful by-products. In contrast, the new approach eliminates the need for expensive catalysts and reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, and smoke by up to 87 percent.
This research represents a breakthrough in sustainable energy, as it utilizes greenhouse gases instead of crops, thus avoiding the food versus fuel dilemma. The bio-methanol produced can serve as a renewable energy source and has potential industrial applications, including the production of chemicals like formaldehyde and acetic acid.
Overall, this advancement could significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a cleaner environment, marking a substantial step toward a sustainable future.