Scottish Scientists Develop Whisky Biofuel

RabbitWho writes "It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'one for the road.' Whisky, the spirit that powers the Scottish economy, is being used to develop a new biofuel which could be available at petrol pumps in a few years. This biofuel can be produced from two main by-products of the whisky distilling process – 'pot ale,' the liquid from the copper stills, and 'draff,' the spent grains. Copious quantities of both waste products are produced by the £4bn whisky industry each year, and the scientists say there is real potential for the biofuel, to be available at local garage forecourts alongside traditional fuels. It can be used in conventional cars without adapting their engines. The team also said it could be used to fuel planes and as the basis for chemicals such as acetone, an important solvent."

Mmmm

[Anonymous Coward]

One for my car... one for me...
Two for my car... two for me...

Re:Misleading headline.

[Anonymous Coward]

I agree, the headline is terribly misleading. The more important headline is... Since they would presumably need to produce ever more whiskey as demand for the fuel increase, these guys have finally found a use for Scottish people [bbc.co.uk] too.

Scotty, we... need... more... POWER

[garyisabusyguy]

Aye, ittle be just a weee bit Captain, I have to make sure the fuel is of an acceptable quality... *hic*

Re:Misleading headline.

[Scarletdown]

I was worried for a minute there. The headline is misleading. They are turning byproducts of the whisky making process into biofuel and not the whisky itself, which would be a travesty indeed.

Aye, burning whiskey as fuel would be a serious case of alcohol abuse.

Re:Energy density

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't worry, enough alcohol and it will act retarded on its own

Re:Misleading headline.

[sexconker]

IANMOFWF (I am not much of a whisky afficcionado) but I was worried for a minute there. The headline is misleading. They are turning byproducts of the whisky making process into biofuel and not the whisky itself, which would be a travesty indeed.

You're also not much of a speller, anagram creator, etc.

But basically what's going on here is that the Scottish have found yet another way to pinch their pennies.

Re:Misleading headline.

[oldhack]

No kidding - the French complains about everything.

Re:Meh.

[phantomfive]

Heh....I can think of four or five patents for that no problem. Here's a sample:

Making acetone and butanol with the Weizmann organism.......on a computer.
Making acetone and butanol with the Weizmann organism.......on the internet.
Making acetone and butanol with the Weizmann organism.......on the cloud.
Making acetone and butanol with the Weizmann organism.......using XML for that extra sharp angled taste.
Making acetone and butanol with the Weizmann organism.......using a protocol.

If you don't think those will work then you don't know the patent system.

Re:Powers the economy, eh?

[SEE]

Yes, but though large, they aren't significant swaths. They're full of No True Scotsmen.

Re:Scotty, we... need... more... POWER

[Aeternitas827]

Turned green. Didn't move for a few days.

Did he have a strong desire for brains afterward?