Scotland is famed for many things, from the poetry of Robert Burns to the rugged beauty of the Highlands and haggis. Today, the by-products of another world class Scottish icon – whisky – are being used to create a next-generation biofuel that could change the way we power everything from cars to planes.
Celtic Renewables is a start-up spun out from research led by Professor Martin Tangney at Edinburgh Napier University's Biofuel Research Center. The business is currently focusing on Scotland's vast malt whisky industry, which it describes, "as a ripe resource for developing bio-butanol – a next generation biofuel.The process for turning the whisky by-products into fuel is relatively simple. "Draff" -- what's left of the malt after brewing -- and pot ale -- a residue left behind after distillation -- are mixed and fermented to create what Celtic Renewables describe as a 'broth'.
Gases – including hydrogen – are produced during this fermentation process, and the broth is distilled to produce three main products: acetone, butanol and ethanol.
Celtic Renewables is a start-up spun out from research led by Professor Martin Tangney at Edinburgh Napier University's Biofuel Research Center. The business is currently focusing on Scotland's vast malt whisky industry, which it describes, "as a ripe resource for developing bio-butanol – a next generation biofuel.The process for turning the whisky by-products into fuel is relatively simple. "Draff" -- what's left of the malt after brewing -- and pot ale -- a residue left behind after distillation -- are mixed and fermented to create what Celtic Renewables describe as a 'broth'.
Gases – including hydrogen – are produced during this fermentation process, and the broth is distilled to produce three main products: acetone, butanol and ethanol.
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