03-21-2014, 02:33 AM
We are now in an era where development of sustainable energy sources and more environmentally friendly biochemical production are priorities. In this context, algae are emerging as potentially useful organisms in applications including production of biochemical and biofuel and for trapping carbon dioxide emissions generated by industry. Cultivation of algae is expensive when compared to, for example, wood and agricultural biomass and is particularly challenging in countries with a cool climate and long hours of darkness in winter. Mindful of these issues, the ALGIDA project has been looking into algae cultivation in Finland. The project is coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Their results are encouraging to the view that profitable algae cultivation is possible in countries with cold, dark winters.
Algae are a potentially multi-use biotechnological source. The utility of its components extend beyond biofuels to, for example, pigments and cosmetics and nutritional supplements such as omega-3. Biomass from algae can also be used as biofertiliser. Clearly, they are a resource whose cultivation is worth pursuing. The aviation industry is a prime example of a potential customer for algae-based biofuels. Their use in biofuels depends on establishment of growing conditions whereby they produce a high level of lipids and their economic sustainability requires use of all components of the algae biomass. The ALGIDA project suggests various ways round the issues of lack of heat and light in Finland. Project manager Mona Arnold from VTT suggests that: “The most sensible thing to do in Finland is to integrate cultivation into industrial processes with spill heat and focus development on the production of biofuels and biochemical compounds, and on nutrient removal from effluents. Algae can also be used to recover nutrients, organic impurities and heavy metals from waste and waste water.”
The research of the ALGIDA project examined the plausibility of algae cultivation in Finnish waste waters and ways of improving conditions. The project findings suggested that the algae needed heat to thrive but could manage in the absence of light. In terms of a carbon dioxide source, the project findings suggested use of carbon dioxide in the air during the summer when there was light and from waste sugar in winter. To create warmth, they suggest linking algae cultivation to industrial processes which create residual heat in order to warm up the algae cultivation ponds or reactors.
Currently, VTT are collaborating with the oil and gas company ONGC in India and with CLEEN Ltd. (Cluster for Clean Energy and Environment in Finland). They are planning a pilot project to show the capacity of algae to bind carbon dioxide emissions from a natural gas refinery. This has a three-fold purpose of showing potential of algae in a CO2 capture, the best applications for algal biomass and capacity for algae growth in industrial waste water.
These findings will have relevance for use of algae in other countries where heat and light may an issue and should help advance knowledge on how humble algae may one day be used in activities such as aviation.
Sources:
Research report online: http://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/technology/2013/T147.pdf
Press release: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Algae are a potentially multi-use biotechnological source. The utility of its components extend beyond biofuels to, for example, pigments and cosmetics and nutritional supplements such as omega-3. Biomass from algae can also be used as biofertiliser. Clearly, they are a resource whose cultivation is worth pursuing. The aviation industry is a prime example of a potential customer for algae-based biofuels. Their use in biofuels depends on establishment of growing conditions whereby they produce a high level of lipids and their economic sustainability requires use of all components of the algae biomass. The ALGIDA project suggests various ways round the issues of lack of heat and light in Finland. Project manager Mona Arnold from VTT suggests that: “The most sensible thing to do in Finland is to integrate cultivation into industrial processes with spill heat and focus development on the production of biofuels and biochemical compounds, and on nutrient removal from effluents. Algae can also be used to recover nutrients, organic impurities and heavy metals from waste and waste water.”
The research of the ALGIDA project examined the plausibility of algae cultivation in Finnish waste waters and ways of improving conditions. The project findings suggested that the algae needed heat to thrive but could manage in the absence of light. In terms of a carbon dioxide source, the project findings suggested use of carbon dioxide in the air during the summer when there was light and from waste sugar in winter. To create warmth, they suggest linking algae cultivation to industrial processes which create residual heat in order to warm up the algae cultivation ponds or reactors.
Currently, VTT are collaborating with the oil and gas company ONGC in India and with CLEEN Ltd. (Cluster for Clean Energy and Environment in Finland). They are planning a pilot project to show the capacity of algae to bind carbon dioxide emissions from a natural gas refinery. This has a three-fold purpose of showing potential of algae in a CO2 capture, the best applications for algal biomass and capacity for algae growth in industrial waste water.
These findings will have relevance for use of algae in other countries where heat and light may an issue and should help advance knowledge on how humble algae may one day be used in activities such as aviation.
Sources:
Research report online: http://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/technology/2013/T147.pdf
Press release: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
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