Page 27 - Biofuels Refining and Performance

10 Chapter One

cooking fuel in rural areas is also a well-known example of animal prod-
ucts indirectly contributing to this field. But examples of direct energy
flow from living systems are still in the conceptual state. Scientists
dream that, one day, light emitted by fireflies or high voltage generated
by electric eels may be of great use in the near future.
The production of alcohol or methane by microbial fermentation of
common plant wastes are well-known phenomena. Recently however,
scientists have started looking into these phenomena with greater inter-
est, so that, in either gas or liquid form, their production and use can
be optimized and made efficient. Plant bodies have been used as anten-
nas, and plant leaves have been demonstrated to work as batteries. The
survival of all biotic species depends directly or indirectly on solar
energy. Studying the energy-based ecosystem raises awareness of this
fact. Obviously, the most common question becomes: If the sun happens
to be the source of all energy, why then is the solar energy not har-
nessed by different devices? There are inherent limitations of most of
the physical devices by (a) way of efficiency, (b) critical cost, (c) mainte-
nance, (d) reliability, and (e) other factors.
In photosynthetic systems operating in green vegetations of the above
points, (b), (c), and (d) are enormously better. Its characteristic limita-
tions are [for point (a)] the incident insolation, the ability to use only a
narrow spectrum [for point (e)], and requiring the proportionate amount
of soil surface area for insolation, optimal nutrients, temperature, and
moisture in the microenvironment. Here nature provides several
mutants from which we can take, pick, screen, or select the most toler-
ant variety. We may resort to genetic engineering for tissue cultures or
selective hybridization.
What is our objective? Along with the effort to harness the solar energy
by different physical methods, parallel efforts of optimal use of solar
energy through biotic fixation should be attempted. This involves under-
standing the following:

1. The living world in its entirety, i.e., ecology.
2. The photosynthetic systems in different species: terrestrial, aquatic,
or mixed.
3. Application of the above to develop science and technology for:
a. Better management of the biotic systems useful for our purpose
b. Conversion of biological raw materials into energy rich products
4. Coordination for quality of life, pollution abatement, and sparing of
nonrenewable resources for future generations.
A few examples that may not be out of place include potato, tomato,
eucalyptus, and so forth. Though of wild origin, they have been appreci-
ated and have been cultivated for this use after studying and admiring