chrisdh79 OP t1_iuvpwk6 wrote
From the article: Have you ever guessed that a leftover coffee could turn into biodiesel? Here's a remarkable development for bioscience.
Seemingly, Aston University scientists produced high-quality biodiesel microalgae fed on leftover coffee. According to Aston University's release, this development is also a breakthrough in the microalgal cultivation system.
Dr. Vesna Najdanovic, senior lecturer in chemical engineering, and Dr. Jiawei Wang were part of a team that produced algae and subsequently turned it into fuel.
The results of the study were published in the November 2022 issue of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
As stated by Aston University, approximately 98 million cups of coffee are drunk every day in the United Kingdom. This situation leads to a massive amount of spent coffee grounds which are processed as general waste, often ending up in landfill or incineration.
However, the scientists discovered that used coffee grounds serve as a structure for the microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris sp.) as well as a source of nutrients.
As a consequence, they were able to obtain enhanced biodiesel that complies with US and European standards, has low emissions, and has good engine performance.
Up until recently, algae has been grown on non-nutrient-containing surfaces like nylon and polyurethane foam. The scientists did discover, though, that microalgal cells may develop on the leftover coffee without the aid of other nutrients.
RandomUsername12123 t1_iuyuzj4 wrote
The problem is that coffee grounds is not a kind of industrial waste and at best the only good source of then are bars et similar.
And from these bars it has to be collected in a way(transport and human hours) , i can't think on how this could be feasible as a way to do anything useful.
Coffee grounds can be used as fertilizer and that is already a good use of them.
Going back to the first point nespresso has a initiative where you can return the aluminum cans to the store to be recycled and the quantity of coffee and aluminum is laughably small
responsible_blue t1_iuyyf14 wrote
What about all those canned drinks Starfucks makes now? That coffee has to come from somewhere, and that creates industrial sized tonnage to get rid of, potentially at multiple different bottlers in a fully Global footprint.
zeppy159 t1_iuzbqro wrote
The transport and human hours costs are minimal because it only requires adjustments to the already present stock delivery logistics. I know that Mcdonalds already collects used grounds, grease and cardboard for re-use/recycling and it all just gets picked up during routine stock deliveries.
Smaller cafes and such may struggle to implement similar procedures, but large chains such as starbucks should have no problems.
RandomUsername12123 t1_iv08pr8 wrote
If you have to implement it in an already established operation seems easy, i was thinking about an indipendent organization that drives a van to collect them or ship it.
I don't have that much imaginations it seems hahahah
Pvt_Haggard_610 t1_iv0rqzo wrote
>The problem is that coffee grounds is not a kind of industrial waste and at best the only good source of then are bars et similar.
Are you forgetting the mass production of instant coffee powder.
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