Originally published August 9 2005
Grad student believes new energy source can come from trees
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A University of Idaho graduate student believes that wood may one day be able to replace our main energy source of oil by developing a process that turns wood into a form of crude oil.
Juan Andres Soria says he has developed a process that turns wood into bio-oil, a substance similar to crude oil.
The process --- in which sawdust and methanol are heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit to create the bio-oil --- is already drawing some interest from energy and wood product companies, Soria said.
Soria is testing his theory with the help of Armando McDonald, associate professor of wood chemistry and composites in the University of Idaho's College of Natural Resources.
Though the idea may sound far-fetched, Soria and McDonald say the theory has precedent in nature --- coal is the result of trees being subjected to high amounts of heat and pressure.
"Rather than doing it in millions of years, can we do it in minutes?"
So far, Soria's research has focused on sawdust from Ponderosa pine trees, although he said any variety of tree could be used, including fast-growing varieties like those being cultivated for wood pulp.
After the bio-oil is produced, he separates it by boiling points, or grades.
So far, he said, he's identified oil grades that could someday replace gasoline, tar, glues and resins that make things like lawn furniture.
The two are doing the research without grant money.
Soria plans to use the research in his dissertation for his doctorate.
If the private sector likes the idea enough to back it financially, Soria said he could put together an industrial-size bio refinery in five years.
Still, he said, the bio-oil isn't likely to be an immediate competitor to crude oil.
Crude oil currently costs about $60 a barrel, and bio-oil will only be competitive when the cost of crude oil reaches $80 a barrel, Soria said.
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