Experi-mint: Eucalyptus as alternative to dense jet fuel
sue@susanweaver.net
PULLMAN, Wash. – A research team led by Hongfei Lin, associate professor from Washington State University’s Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, has developed a novel process for synthesizing dense jet fuel from mint, pine, gumweed, eucalyptus or other plants.
The research is a significant step towards making high-energy density biofuels affordable in the aviation industry.
Jet fuel from numerous plants
The process, known as biphasic tandem catalytic process (biTCP), synthesizes cyclic hydrocarbon compounds for jet fuel from terpenoids, the natural organic chemical compounds found in many plants. Cyclic hydrocarbons are molecular compounds with structures that can store high levels of energy. The researchers were able to create a high yield of the cyclic hydrocarbon p-menthane from eucalyptus oil.
Collaborating with the University of Nevada-Reno, the researchers’ work was recently published in the journal Green Chemistry.
➡ View full article at WSU News
➡ View article at Biomass Magazine
![Figure that was featured on the cover of the Journal of the Electrochemical Society [a. Picoammeter/voltage source or potentiostat, Reference electrode (counter electrode) Working electrode, Ag/AgCl reference electrode, Carbon microelectrode, Glass outer case, G. sulferreducens biofilm, Diffusion barrier -200um; b. Fumaate-free medium, fumarate reduction by G. sulferreducens biofilm (fumarate + electrons = succinate); c. Carbon microelectrode, carbon wire and glass with G. sulfurreducens biofilm at bottom]](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/734/2017/04/beyenal-group-journal-electrochemical-soc-2017-04-198x198.gif)
