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Published online 11 September 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.1101
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From fibre to fuel in a flash
Chemists convert cellulose to potential biofuel without enzymes.
A genuine revolution in biofuels is currently hindered by the difficulty of converting the most recalcitrant parts of plants, primarily the cellulose of their fibres, into useful fuel. Two chemists in California now claim that it might be remarkably easy to do just that with little more than a strong acid to break down the cellulose.
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Occidental Petroleum anaerobically flash-pyrolyzed garbage cellulostics and non-compostables after values removal to garboil (urban organic waste to eco-fuel) in the late 1970s. Great yield! Garboil was immiscible with hydrocarbon fuels, irreversibly set to a solid (garbolite) with 3% water, and was a truly amazing skin irrtant and allergic sensitizer. Look up some MSDS for furfurals.