Researchers Turn Olive Mill Wastewater into Green Fuel, Water Source and Fertilizer
October 11, 2017http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b01786
|
Production of olive oil creates a vast stream of wastewater that can foul waterways, reduce soil fertility and damage ecosystems. Hence, a study from Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse in France developed an environment friendly process that could transform this pollutant into "green" biofuel, bio-fertilizer and safe water for irrigation.
During processing, olives are crushed and mixed with water in mills. The oil is separated out of this mixture, and the olive mill wastewater (OMW) is discarded. The process developed by the Institute first impregnates OMW on raw cypress sawdust (RCS), another common waste product.
Then the mixture is dried and the evaporated water is collected. This water will be safe enough for irrigation. The OMW-sawdust mixture is then subjected to pyrolysis, turning it into combustible gases and charcoal. The researchers then collected and condensed the gas into bio-oil, a biofuel precursor. The charcoal pellets left can now be used as fertilizer.
These results indicate the possibility of converting OMW to green fuels, agricultural water source, and fertilizer.
|
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Four-Step Instructions for Golden Rice Adoption
- GM Soybean Oil Causes Less Obesity and Insulin Resistance
- Scientists Point Out that Africa Needs Technological Transformation in Agri
- U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance Engage Consumers on Biotechnology
- Non-browning Biotech Apples will be Available in the U.S. Soon
- Genetically Improving Nutritional Value of Corn Could Benefit Millions
- ICRISAT Scientists Use Double-defense Biotech Approach to Produce Aflatoxin-free Peanuts
- Study: Food Security Needs More from GM Crops
-
Research Highlights
- Nanobody-mediated Resistance to Grapevine Fanleaf Virus in Plants
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- Scientists Induce Resistance to Asthma in Mice
- Cancer Scientists Decode Durian Genome
-
Resources
- Agriculture and Food Security 5th Anniversary Editorial Tackles Biotechnology
- Updated Pocket Ks on Agri-biotech
-
Plant
- Regulatory Status of Gene-edited Agricultural Products in the EU
- Genome Editing in Potato using TALENs Delivered via Agroinfiltration
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (March 27, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (March 27, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet