[VanShuyten]

In addition, most people think that we have a realistic way to crack cellulose. Until that problem is solved, all we can do with this grass is burn it or feed it to cows.

[Oberon]

In addition, most people think that we have a realistic way to crack cellulose.

Good old-fashioned pyrolysis works, if you don't mind the end product being methanol.

[Oberon]

Oh, about cracking cellulose...thermal depolymerization works too. Check the stats at the following link for TDP using paper (i.e. cellulose) as feedstock; there's a high fraction of natural gas as a result.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_depolymerization