Pilot-scale plant: ethanol from algae, carbon dioxide
For years, algae-to-biofuel technology developers have been seeking ways to harvest ethanol from the lipid-containing organisms. Photo Courtesy of Algenol Biofuels, Inc. One of the world’s largest chemical companies and an algae technology developer are involved in a plan to build a pilot-testing facility for producing ethanol through a “breakthrough” process that combines algae and carbon dioxide.
Leading chemicals firm Dow Chemical Company announced yesterday [June 29] that it is planning to work with Florida-based Algenol Biofuels, Inc. in building the algae-based integrated biorefinery in Dow’s site in Freeport, Texas.
Dow said that Algenol has developed a technology that uses carbon dioxide (CO2), the most potent greenhouse gas, saltwater, and non-arable land to produce ethanol. The entire process is supposed to be powered by sunlight.
Dow, a major US CO2-emitter, will be supplying the gas to the algae in the “photobioreactors” to serve as the carbon source for the ethanol. The CO2 will be sourced from Dow’s nearby manufacturing facility.
Algenol Biofuels, Inc. said it makes low-cost ethanol directly from CO2 and seawater using hybrid algae in plastic photobioreactors through its patented “Direct to Ethanol” technology.
Along with Dow, the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Membrane Technology & Research, Inc. are working on Algenol’s project.
“Their combined expertise offers new and innovative technology, with the opportunity for creating a breakthrough process for ethanol production,” Dow said.
No further details were given on the planned facility, but Algenol has submitted a request last week to obtain a grant from the Department of Energy to help in financing the pilot site.
Dow and Algenol aim to prove that the technology can be implemented on a commercial scale.
Algenol said that it has come up with a process to produce over 6,000 gallons of ethanol per acre per year.
Apart from leasing the land for the facility in Texas, Dow will also supply advanced materials for the photobioreactor system, as well as water treatment technology and expertise.
For years, algae-to-biofuel technology developers have been seeking ways to harvest ethanol from the lipid-containing organisms.
Dow supplies chemicals for a wide array of industries, ranging from automotive and transportation to wires and cables.
-
Eric Dorente
Source: