Biochemist says whiskey distillation byproducts can be used to make biofuel

Nov 16, 2013 21:01 GMT  ·  By
Biochemist is trying to find a cost-effective way to turn whiskey distillation byproducts into biobutanol
   Biochemist is trying to find a cost-effective way to turn whiskey distillation byproducts into biobutanol

Very good news for whiskey aficionados who happen to also care a great deal about the environment: a biochemist by the name of Martin Tangney is now trying to figure out a way to use draff and pot ale, i.e. byproducts of whiskey distillation, to make biofuel.

More precisely, the Scottish researcher wishes to use draff and pot ale as raw materials for the production of biobutanol.

Should he succeed in his endeavor, those who take pleasure in having a sip or two of whiskey every once in a while could argue that their doing so helps promote sustainability and curb greenhouse gas emissions.

When compared to ethanol, biobutanol releases more energy when used as fuel in an internal combustion engine, Think Progress reports. What's more, it is easier to transport from one place to another via pipelines.

For the time being, the main challenge is making the production of biobutanol from whiskey distillation byproducts as cost-effective as that of ethanol.

“Armed” with £750,000 (€895,726 / $1,205,960) in public grants and public investments, Martin Tangney and his fellow researchers are now carrying out a pilot project at the Centre for Process Innovation at Redcar, England.

They hope to turn 7,000 tons of draff and 528,344 gallons of pot ale into 2,642 gallons of biobutanol using a process known as acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation.