Researchers from the Nanoscience and Catalysis Division at Quaid-i-Azam University have discovered a method of producing biodiesel from used tea leaves. They successfully reduced waste tea leaves into a bio-diesel suitable for powering engines, using nanotechnology. The first stage of the research was gasification, in which the dried spent tea was mixed with a Cobalt nanocatalyst and heated in a chamber to 300 degrees Celsius. The extracted product of that reaction was in liquid form, which was processed even further. The result of the entire reaction was a 40 percent bio-diesel.

The gasification also produced 12 percent charcoal, in addition to 28 percent hydrocarbon gas, a composition of ethane, methanol and methane. The researchers claim that that the extra gases could also be used as fuel, while the charcoal could be used in agriculture or in water filtration. The only drawback seen during the study was the high production cost. In an attempt to find cheaper ways of formulating a bio-diesel fuel, the team came up with the idea of using a fungal fermentation process. Using this process, the researchers were able to make a 57 percent bio-ethanol fuel.

Via: EnvironmentalExpert

By AditiJ