Megan's Weblog

Starbucks Gas Station

I just read an article about a possible alternative use to Starbucks coffee grounds. Chemical engineers at the University of Nevada, developed a bio-diesel fuel made from Starbucks coffee grounds. Coffee grounds in their original state are made of 15% oil. The researchers estimated that using their method of creating bio-diesel, the chemical engineers could produce 340 million gallons of bio-diesel. Researchers realized that their process isn't life changing or world saving; however coffee beans are usually trash, so their product is just a new way of recycling.

In our situation of ecological crisis, it is important that we recylce as many natural products as possible to solve the ever increasing energy crisis. Many politicians boast research for alternative transportation methods, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, etc. ; however, until that form of technology is easily accessible to the public, I believe we need a buffer technology, such as coffee ground gas, bio-diesel, or even nuclear power. The energy crisis is affecting our society, and we will not be able to solve it until there is a paradigm shift of transportation technology.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/ecogeek/845/fill-your-car-with-starbucks-diesel.html

Posted at 02:56PM Dec 06, 2008 by Megan Szakasits in General  |  Comments[1]