Abstract
We have suggested that certain plants rich in hydrocarbon-like materials might be cultivated for renewable photosynthetic products. Two species were selected for experimental plantations: Euphorbia lathyris, an annual from seed and Euphorbia tirucalli, a perennial from cuttings. The yield from each species is over 10 barrels of oil/acre/year without genetic or agronomic improvement. In addition to plants, there are trees, such as species of Copaifera in Brazil and other tropical areas, which produce a diesel-like oil upon tapping. Each tree produces approximately 40 liters of hydrocarbon per year, and this material can be used directly by a diesel-powered car. Further efforts to develop plants as alternate energy sources are underway, as well as a continuing search for additional plant species throughout the world which have a similar capability.
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References
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The work described in this paper was sponsored, in part by the Office of Energy Technology (Biomass Energy Systems Branch) of the Department of Energy under Contract W-4705-eng-48.
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Calvin, M. Hydrocarbons from plants: Analytical methods and observations. Naturwissenschaften 67, 525–533 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00450661
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00450661