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	A bacteria originally meant for enhanced oil recovery in DOE's Fossil Energy research program has been adapted to clean impurities from coal. >  Read more  [leave site]

Biotechnology now plays a major role in much of our lives - from increasing crop yields to developing new medical treatments involving gene therapy. The Office of Fossil Energy utilizes this science by conducting research into biology, biochemistry, microbiology and bioengineering and their application for the development of clean, efficient electric power generation with minimal environmental impacts and for the production of clean fuels from coal.

The Office of Fossil Energy's bioprocessing activities focus on two main categories of research (with examples):

• Addressing environmental challenges associated with coal burning and power plants

  • Biogeochemical remediation of fly ash ponds and waste streams containing ammonia from discharges from power plants.
  • Coal biomodification to reduce mercury emissions through a bioleaching process.
  • Biomineralization for carbon sequestration. Biogeochemically precipitated fly ash containing minerals such as calcite and iron-rich minerals creates mechanisms for more effective CO2 sequestration that also sequesters metals by reducing their mobility.
  • Development of a toxin from microorganisms to solve a major problem affecting today's power plants - namely the fouling of cooling water intake and discharge systems by invasive zebra mussels. The toxin will be used to kill the zebra mussels.

• Developing bioprocessing methods for alternate fuel production.

  • Explore biohydrogen generation from carbon-containing waste products. Producing hydrogen from coal and coal waste products may provide a low-cost path towards a hydrogen-based transportation system of the future.