Converting Renewable Biomass into Fuel to Reduce Fossil Fuel Usage $\alpha$

question 73

Multiple Choice

Converting renewable biomass into fuel to reduce fossil fuel usage is an idea gaining support, despite the fact that energy produced through biomass conversion will always be small compared to our total needs.To be viable, the process must be cost effective, not be subsidized by taxpayer support, and not reduce the food supply.In a research lab, project A deals with $\alpha$ -glucoside hydrolysis of starches, whereas project B deals with $\beta$ -glucoside hydrolysis of cellulose.What value would you place on these projects and why?

• A)Project A is more valuable because improving the efficiency of starch hydrolysis will increase the effectiveness of our edible corn for fuel programs and reduce the need for taxpayer subsidies.
• B)Project B is more valuable because the hydrolysis of cellulose, which is not edible, to produce glucose and ethanol currently is not economically viable.
• C)Both are valuable because any research along these lines deserves equitable support.
• D)Neither is valuable because they do not address climate change.
• E)The viability of both projects is questionable, so neither merits serious consideration.

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