Kansas Project Turning Algae into Biodiesel
Researchers in the land of sunflowers are looking for a way to convert sunshine into algae… and then into biodiesel.
The Lawrence (KS) Journal-World & News reports University of Kansas scientists are working on one of just a few in the world functioning, pilot-scale bioreactors connected to a municipal wastewater treatment plant, where they’re turning sewer waste into the green fuel:
“From the point of view of the EPA, this should be like heaven,” said Val Smith, a KU professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. “We’re harnessing a waste, making it do work for America, and purifying it all at the same time.
“It’s like a win-win-win-win-win.”
The KU effort is being financed by the university’s Transportation Research Institute, using money from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Bob Honea, the institute’s director, is confident that the work of KU researchers — collaborating on a “Feedstock to Tailpipe” program that includes a wide variety of biofuel efforts — is on the right track. Gasoline prices eventually will return to $4 a gallon or more, he said, and the world will continue to seek ways to lessen a reliance on petroleum.
Using algae to make biodiesel simply makes sense, Honea said, given the aquatic organisms’ built-in advantages compared with traditional crops: higher yields on less land.
KU officials believe they are the verge of a major breakthrough.
1 Comment »
George Van Hoesen
Bob,
I have been trying to get CU here in Springfield, Missouri to start a program like yours for years. How do I get some of the information on the research to show them the merit behind this program. Our plant here not only has 17,000,000 gals. per day and the site is on 600 acres of land with two 300 MW power plants giving off excess heat and CO2 that needs to be cut.
Please call me 417-725-0111 or 4174963036.
Thanks for your time and good luck with the project. I am a green building consultant and an energy consultant.
I thought this did not get sent?
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