Beetle-savaged wood progresses to phase two as testing begins

After discovering transport fuel can be made out of the dead trees killed off by woodland beetles, Colorado State University (CSU) is preparing to take this discovery to the next level.

The university will soon test California-based firm Mountain View’s technology that will turn lodge pole pines into butanol for the transport fuel sector.

CSU’s Engines and Energy Conservation Lab will measure the power and pollution levels emitted from this biofuel that has been produced by Cobalt Technologies, of Mountain View.

Cobalt Technologies’ process will convert this forest waste into butanol instead of the more popular ethanol, which is commonly made from food crops such as corn.

According to the CEO at Cobalt Technology Rick Wilson, the trees destroyed by the wood-eating beetles are available in abundance as well as being financially economical. He explains that the next step for the development of this transport fuel is the construction of a pilot plant.