A Liverpool university professor’s chip fat fuel leads push for cleaner cars
May 25 2009 by Andy Kelly, Liverpool Daily Post
Professor’s fast-food fuel leads push for cleaner cars
A LIVERPOOL professor is sending a buzz around the world after he turned chip fat oil into biofuel – using a microwave.
John Moores University professor Ahmed Al-Shamma is leading the world in pioneering new microwave technology which could help cut the world’s CO² emissions.
The scientist has been collecting old oil from chip shops, kebab houses and restaurants and using it to power his car.
He is now confident that, by 2015, the people of Merseyside could be driving in cars powered by biofuel.
The British Government and European community are so impressed with the work coming out of the small lab in Liverpool that they have given millions of pounds in funding.
Prof Al-Shamma, head of RF and Microwave technology in the engineering research institute, said: “Everyone has heard of biofuel – it’s not new, but using microwave technology is new. It brings all the benefits of sustainable fuel but without the negatives, the waste byproducts.
“And using microwave technology means one source can be used for multiple applications.
“I have no doubt that, if the Government adapts a zero carbon approach, the people of Merseyside will be driving around in cars fuelled by biofuel.”
Prof Al-Shamma’s team, which has drawn experts from across the globe, have found using microwaves so efficient, they are already testing the mileage they can get out of the car.
So far, test runs on an X reg VW car have shown dramatic results which could lower the cost of fuel per litre to a mere 20p. Explaining the background to the project, Prof Al-Shamma said: “Traditional biofuel mixes crops, methanol and a catalyst for between four to eight hours – you end up with biofuel and a waste product, glycerin.
“But there are huge negatives; the hunt for crops has meant many Third World countries have been paid more to grow biofuel crops than regular eating crops.
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