Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have pioneered an advanced biological method that transforms methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels using methanotrophic bacteria. This breakthrough, reported in the journal Fuel, offers a promising solution to two pressing global challenges: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the depletion of fossil fuel reserves.
Methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide, contributes significantly to global warming. Traditional chemical methods for converting methane and CO2 into liquid fuels are energy-intensive, costly, and often produce toxic by-products. In contrast, the new approach developed by IIT Guwahati’s team uses a fully biological process to convert these gases into bio-methanol under mild, energy-efficient conditions, without the need for expensive catalysts or harmful by-products.
Led by Prof. Debasish Das from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, the team’s method has shown impressive results, achieving up to an 87% reduction in emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, and smoke. Unlike traditional biofuels, which rely on crops and compete with food production, this process uses greenhouse gases, providing an alternative that sidesteps the “food vs fuel” dilemma.
“Unlike traditional chemical methods, this process eliminates the need for expensive catalysts, avoids toxic by-products, and operates in a more energy-efficient manner,” the professor said.
The researchers claimed that the method achieved upto 87 per cent reduction in carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide and smoke emissions.
In the words of Das, “this research is a breakthrough as it demonstrates that bio-methanol, derived from bacteria feeding on methane and carbon dioxide, can be a viable alternative to fossil fuels.”
He said, unlike conventional biofuels that rely on crops and create competition with food production, their method uses greenhouse gases, avoiding the ‘food vs fuel’ issue.
“It is an environmentally and economically viable solution, utilising inexpensive resources while contributing to emissions reduction,” he added.
The professor asserted that with the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and minimise greenhouse gas emissions, this advancement represents a significant stride toward a cleaner and greener future.
“The biological conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into bio-methanol not only provides a cleaner fuel alternative but also has industrial applications as a precursor for producing chemicals like formaldehyde and acetic acid,” Das said.
“This process offers immense potential to decarbonise critical industries, including oil and gas, refineries, and chemical manufacturing, paving the way for a more sustainable future,” he said.
