A research team from the Center for Sustainable Chemical Technologies at the University of Bath reveal in a recent study that usable biodiesel can be extracted from used coffee grounds, with little variation in resulting biodiesel even across different varieties of coffee. Coffee-based biofuels could feasibly be produced on a commercial level. Approximately 8 million tons of coffee is produced annually worldwide, and used coffee grounds contain approximately 20% oil per unit weight. The team estimates that a small coffee shop could produce 10 kg used coffee grounds per day – enough to produce 2 liters of biodiesel. Because coffee grounds are a waste product, the team believes there is real potential to sustainably produce a second generation biofuel in this manner.
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