October 27, 2005
Charring Peanut Shells for Hydrogen Fuel
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/040825.htm
In 2004, the Agricultural Research Service reported that one of its soil scientists teamed with a private sector inventor and a DOE scientist to turn agricultural biomass—wastes like peanut shells—into hydrogen fuel and charcoal fertilizer.
Posted by Kate Hayes at 05:00 PM | Comments (0)
New Method Simplifies Biodiesel Production
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/apr05/diesel0405.htm
Michael Haas and his fellow colleagues with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, have modified biodiesel production technology. Their method eliminates a step—and an air-polluting chemical—from the process of synthesizing the fuel.
Posted by Kate Hayes at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)
Ethanol Byproduct Shown to Improve Soil
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/040924.htm
In the first study of its kind, an Agricultural Research Service scientist has shown that the byproduct of ethanol fermentation from corn stover can increase the structural stability and organic matter content of soil, particularly of highly eroded soil.
Posted by Kate Hayes at 04:51 PM | Comments (0)