Research shows hemp could drive future cars

(ADPnews) – Oct 13, 2010 – A team of researchers at the University of Connecticut claim that hemp could be used as feedstock for biodiesel fuel, and plans are up for a refinery to put this notion into practice.

The biofuel refinery will be built on a USD 1.8 million (EUR 1.3m) grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE), and will crank out an estimated 200,000 gallons (757,100 litres) of biodiesel each year.

The research team, led by associate professor of chemical engineering Richard Parnas, said that the facility will be customised to handle a range of feedstocks, including hemp.

Among the advantages of hemp making it fit for biodiesel generation, Parnas highlighted the fact that it grows in infertile soil, which means it is easier to produce commercially viable yields in otherwise inhospitable areas. He also pointed out that it is not a food crop, meaning that its use for commercial fuel purposes should not jeopardise food security. Finally, hemp may also be able to burn effectively at lower temperatures than other biodiesel products, according to the research team's test results.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.716)

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