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Hydrocarbons via photosynthesis
Author(s) -
Calvin Melvin
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.4440010404
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , renewable energy , biochemical engineering , renewable resource , artificial photosynthesis , environmental science , sugar cane , process engineering , waste management , chemistry , engineering , organic chemistry , catalysis , biochemistry , photocatalysis , agricultural science , electrical engineering
Photosynthesis is examined as a possible annually renewable resource for material and energy. the production of fermentation alcohol from sugar cane as a major component of materials for chemical feedstocks is examined as well as the direct photosynthetic production of hydrocarbon from known plant sources. Experiments are underway to analyse the hydrocarbons from Euphorbias. Asclepis and other hydrocarbon‐containing plants with a view toward determining their various chemical components. In addition, experimental plantings of plants of this type have begun to obtain data on which species would be the most successful. Work is also underway on the development of chemical process techniques for the extraction of plant materials after harvesting. In addition, efforts are underway to construct synthetic systems on the basis of our knowledge of the natural photosynthetic processes. These systems could be used to produce fuel, fertilizer and power. As a result of studies of the natural quantum conversion process in green plants, we can envisage several photoelectron transfer processes, some of which have already been demonstrated in synthetic systems. Methods of constructing systems of this type and the principles of their use are described.