Green Box Converts Car Fumes into Biofuel

Three friends in North Wales are trying their bit to solve the problem of carbon emission. They have developed a box known -green box- which can convert car fumes into biofuel.

The box can be fixed underneath the car in place of the exhaust. this box traps the unwanted gases. These unwanted gases are also called green house gas such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide and they add to the global warming. The box then emits water vapor.

The captured gases can be developed to create a biofuel using genetically modified algae.

This box has been developed by organic chemist Derek Palmer and engineers Ian Houston and John Jones. They came across the idea while experimenting with carbon dioxide to help boost algae growth for fish farming, This box can be used for cars, buses, lorries. It can also be used at and buildings and heavy industry, including power plants. The box can be built small enough to replace a car exhaust that will last for a full tank of petrol. At the moment they are using a box as big as a bar stool. This box is mainly used for demonstration.

“We've managed to develop a way to successfully capture a majority of the emissions from the dirtiest motor we could find,” Palmer, who has consulted for organizations including the World Health Organization and GlaxoSmithKline, said.

The three friends have set up a company called Maes Anturio Limited, which translates from Welsh as Field Adventure.

With the backing of their local member of parliament they are now seeking extra risk capital either from government or industry: the only emissions they are not sure their box can handle are those from aviation.

The important aspect of the technology is that the carbon dioxide is captured and held in a protected state, said Houston. Other carbon capture technologies are much more cumbersome or energy-intensive, for example using miles of pipeline to transport the gas.

“The carbon dioxide, held in its safe, inert state, can be handled, transported and released into a controlled environment with ease and a minimal amount of energy required,” Houston said at a demonstration using a diesel-powered generator at a certified UK Ministry of Transportation emissions test centre.

They have carried out more than 130 tests over a period of two years with a success rate between 85 to 95%.

David Hansen, a Labour MP for Delyn, North Wales showed keen interest in the project and is doing every bit to help the three friends. "Based on the information, there is a clear reduction in emissions." "As a result, I'm facilitating meetings with the appropriate UK government agencies, as we want to ensure that British ownership and manufacturing is maintained."

The friends are also trying to get in touch with car manufacturers Toyota Motor Corp of Japan and General Motors Corp of the United States. They have also received substantial offers from two unnamed Asian companies.

Source-Medindia
BIN/C