Salty Whey Could Be Converted into Fuel, Researchers Suggest
UKPulse Health Desk
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have developed a method to turn salty whey, a cheese byproduct, into fuel, potentially addressing an environmental challenge.
- British cheesemakers produce 95,000 tonnes of salty whey annually, which is largely considered a waste product.
- Heriot-Watt University researchers, with Take Root Bio, have devised a method to convert salty whey into fuel.
- The process involves subjecting the sugars in the whey to a "bio-based" process to create fuel that could heat homes or power cars.
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, in collaboration with space tech company Take Root Bio, have developed a method to transform salty whey into fuel. This byproduct of cheesemaking could potentially be used to heat homes or power vehicles.
Britain produces an estimated 95,000 tonnes of salty whey each year. This waste product, which can contain up to 10% salt, presents an environmental challenge for disposal.
The new method involves a "bio-based" process that converts the sugars found in the whey into fuel. Dr Jane White of Heriot-Watt stated that the research aims to add value to byproducts that "still contain valuable components but can be challenging to manage."
Why this matters: The conversion of salty whey into fuel could provide a solution for managing a significant waste product from British cheesemakers and offer an alternative energy source.