grassahol

grassahol
 n.— «The latest research at Oklahoma State University includes work on a different approach that uses switchgrass to create what’s called “grassahol.” The entire plant, diced into bits, is burned at high temperatures in a device called a “gasifier.” This produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen gases that are “bubbled” through a bioreactor, where micro-organisms convert them into ethanol. As an engine fuel, it’s about 85 percent as efficient as gasoline.» —“You’ve Heard of Ethanol; Here Comes ‘Grassahol’” by Ted Landphair in Stillwater, Oklahoma Voice of America Dec. 21, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)