Aston University scientists to tackle challenges of converting rice straw into next-gen biofuels

January 27, 2024 |

In the UK, Aston University scientists are to tackle some of the challenges of how to make inedible rice straw into the next generation of biofuels. 

In recent years, biofuels and biobased chemicals have been blended with petrol to create a more sustainable alternative. The Aston University researchers are to examine issues that currently hinder the conversion of rice straw into an alternative fuel. 

Currently the production of biofuels mainly relies on sugar crops such as sugarcane and sugar beet, which raises major concern about the competition between growing crops for food or fuel, the university said. However plant dry matter such as rice straw is seen as a better alternative to current crops because it doesn’t affect food security. Rice straw is often treated as an agricultural waste by-product and is removed by burning in the field, the university added.

Their two-year project will explore cleaner and cost effective methods to extract rice straw’s energy-containing molecules.

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Category: Research

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