Poisonous cassava extract to produce biofuel
A poisonous extract of Cassava root is expected to produce 1% of the ethanol used in Venezuela.
Cassava root, or yuca, is the third largest source of carbohydrates for human food in the world. It is processed into casabes, or flat breads. However, this leaves behind a residue called yare, which, owing to its high cyanide content, is highly toxic to humans and animals.
Now a team of Venezuelan engineers has developed a process for converting this dangerous substance into ethanol, butanol, isobutanol and propanal compounds that can produce fuel.
The invention won the top prize at Venezuela’s sixth annual IDEAS competition in 2008 and is now being developed commercially. The project is expected to generate 1,500 jobs and produce 30 tons of fuel a day.
Cassava root, or yuca, is the third largest source of carbohydrates for human food in the world. It is processed into casabes, or flat breads. However, this leaves behind a residue called yare, which, owing to its high cyanide content, is highly toxic to humans and animals.
Now a team of Venezuelan engineers has developed a process for converting this dangerous substance into ethanol, butanol, isobutanol and propanal compounds that can produce fuel.
The invention won the top prize at Venezuela’s sixth annual IDEAS competition in 2008 and is now being developed commercially. The project is expected to generate 1,500 jobs and produce 30 tons of fuel a day.
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