From Paul Clarke
I see that yet another process is to be developed to turn cellulose waste into liquid fuel – with genetically engineered, self-digesting maize plants (24 May, p 5). Why do things the hard way?
Why not just use such materials as fuel in industrial processes and for electricity generation? This would substitute for oil, gas and coal which could in turn be used in well-understood processes to make liquid fuels.
No new technologies are needed. Suitable equipment is already available and used to process and burn materials such as wood waste, bagasse (sugar cane), straw, olive pips and nut shells. Am I missing something?
Teddington, Middlesex, UK
