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Bacteria Produce Diesel Fuel
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Diesel-like liquid obtained from materials of biological origin is called biodiesel. Diesel usually has 9-23 carbon atom hydrocarbons. Biodiesel can be obtained either from lipids accumulated in plants and algae or form hydrocarbons produced by some plants and algae.

1. Lipids as a source of biodiesel


Lipids are accumulated in the seeds of many plant species like sunflower, rapeseed, linseed, soybean, safflower, peanut, olive etc and by some algae. The lipids have high energy value and can be burnt to heat boilers or used as diesel engine fuel. However the oils are not easily injectible into the engine combustion chamber due to their high viscosity. This problem is overcome by producing esters of the fatty acids. The esterified lipid fatty acids constitute biodiesel and can be used in unblended form in normal diesel engine with little or no modification in the engine. Use of such a biodiesel is the limiting factor. Even so, there is a growing interest in oil seed – based biodiesel production and production capacities are being expanded in some European countries and USA. In developing countries on the other hand, vegetable oils command a much higher price than diesel; this is particularly true for edible oils. In addition, there is generally a shortage of lipids. Thus it is highly unlikely that vegetable lipid-derived biodiesel would be used on any scale in the developing countries.

Some algae may accumulate up to 60% of their biomass as lipids especially when they are grown under conditions of mineral nutrient limitation. The reduced electron carriers used for the production of new cells under conditions of nutrient efficiency are diverted to produce lipids under nutrition deficient conditions. Efforts are being made to develop these algae as valuable sources of lipids to be used for producing biodiesel.

2. Biodiesel from Hydrocarbons

Several plant species and some algae accumulate hydrocarbons, which can be used as fuel. The plant species producing hydrocarbons usually accumulate them in the form of latex. Such plants are mainly of the following three types – members of the family Euphorbiaceae, milkweeds and a leguminous tropical tree called Copaifera multijuga.

The euphorbeans and milkweeds can be grown in relatively dry environments on lands not suited for crop production; this makes them highly attractive sources of biofuels. The Euphorbias are emulsified in water. Removal of water yields a liquid that has hydrocarbons having lower molecular weight than those of those present in petrol.

The leguminous tree Copaifera multijuga is a native of Brazil, fixes nitrogen in its root nodules (which makes its cultivation less dependent on nitrogenous fertilizers), and grows up to 30 m height. It can be tapped twice a year like maple or rubber trees, and produces large volumes of a liquid, which is quite similar to diesel oil. C. multijuga is perhaps the most promising source of biodiesel.
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Messages In This Thread
Bacteria Produce Diesel Fuel - by bridgettpayseur - 04-26-2013, 01:50 AM
RE: Bacteria Produce Diesel Fuel - by markspend01 - 06-27-2013, 02:16 AM
RE: Bacteria Produce Diesel Fuel - by SagarikaGhosh - 08-20-2013, 05:44 PM
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