Melbourne researchers discover cheaper way to make algae biofuels
Photo: Roland Tanglao via Flickr
February 1, 2016
BY University of Melbourne
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineers from the Melbourne School of Engineering have discovered a new way to deliver carbon dioxide to microalgae, which in turn, can be harvested to make renewable fuels such as biodiesel.
Carbon dioxide is well known to speed up the growth of microalgae.
Advertisement
However, the carbon dioxide has to be free of contamination or the algae die. Published in the research journal, Energy and Environmental Science, the new method purifies the carbon dioxide that is in power station flue gases by absorbing it into a liquid. This liquid is then pumped through hollow fiber membranes. These hollow fiber membranes are like very long drinking straws, which can be immersed into the microalgae beds.
Professor Sandra Kentish, Head of the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Melbourne and leader of the research team said that supplying purified carbon dioxide by extracting it from flue gases can work, but it is expensive and takes a lot of energy.
Advertisement
“In this work, we have found a way to purify the carbon dioxide and to supply it to the microalgae for a much more moderate cost and using a lot less energy,” Professor Kentish said.
“The CO2 moves directly from the liquid into the microalgae culture by permeating through the fiber walls,” said Greg Martin, another team member. “Aside from being a cheaper approach, our research has shown that the microalgae grow faster than in other work done to date.”
Other products such as chemicals, proteins and nutraceuticals can also be produced using the same approach. The experiments were completed by doctoral student, Qi Zheng, who is now undertaking further experiments to find the optimum liquid composition.
Related Stories
Preliminary agenda announced for 2025 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo
By BBI International
10 hours ago
Ethanol Producer Magazine announced this week the preliminary agenda for the 2025 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) taking place June 9-11, 2025 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
Louis Dreyfus Company and Global Clean Energy Holdings Inc. announced on March 11 the renewal for an additional 10 years of their collaboration to promote the cultivation of Camelina sativa (camelina) in South America as an intermediate crop.
The USDA reduced its forecast for 2024-’25 soybean oil use in biofuel production in its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, released March 11. The outlook for soybean oil price was unchanged.
Biomass Magazine has announced the six companies selected to pitch to a group of angel investors and venture capital firms at the International Biomass Conference & Expo, taking place March 18-20, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
U.S. operable biofuels capacity held steady in December, with no changes for ethanol, biodiesel or renewable diesel, according to data released by the U.S. EIA on Feb. 28. Feedstock consumption was up slightly from the previous month.
Upcoming Events
