Researchers Creating Algae Aviation Fuel

algae

Algae fuel is getting another boost with the announcement of a $3 million grant to create kerosene-based aviation fuel derived from the substance.

Arizona State University researchers have already moved past the laboratory stage on the project and are working on a pilot scale production system. The research team says that cost reduction benefits are greater than with kerosene produced from petroleum.

The researchers came up with the new fuel by identifying algae strains that can convert pieces of their cellular mass into oil containing high concentrations of medium chain fatty acids. The hydrocarbon chains that occur when the oil is deoxygenated are similar to those found in traditional kerosene.

According to the ASU researchers, their kerosene provides a competitive advantage because it eliminates an expensive thermal cracking process which is necessary for traditional kerosene production.

The new algae kerosene fuel is compatible with jet planes when mixed with a small amount of fuel additives.

And with the increasing speed of new developments in algae fuel, we may all be driving around in algae-powered cars and flying algae-powered planes within the next few decades.

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  • http://www.president101.com president

    this is where all the money should be going to not food crops for oil

  • http://www.president101.com president

    this is where all the money should be going to not food crops for oil

  • http://www.basisrente.net/ Basisrente

    This is the future!

  • http://www.basisrente.net/ Basisrente

    This is the future!

  • Michel

    I like the push to the jet fuel from algae but I think a good solution is also to throw the algae, that can not be made into the fuel, into a methane digester so that you could sequester the CO2 from smoke stacks and then also get the carbon credits from the methane at 21 times the CO2 credit on a unit by unit basis.

  • Michel

    I like the push to the jet fuel from algae but I think a good solution is also to throw the algae, that can not be made into the fuel, into a methane digester so that you could sequester the CO2 from smoke stacks and then also get the carbon credits from the methane at 21 times the CO2 credit on a unit by unit basis.

  • http://www.onlinebiodiesel.org/biodiesel_kit.htm Biodiesel Processor Kits

    Algae has many benefits and advantages over other plants that can be sources for biofuels such as higher percentage of oil, it can be grown in areas that will not come instead of food corps.

  • http://www.onlinebiodiesel.org/biodiesel_kit.htm Biodiesel Processor Kits

    Algae has many benefits and advantages over other plants that can be sources for biofuels such as higher percentage of oil, it can be grown in areas that will not come instead of food corps.

  • Jesse

    A good substitute for the winter heating oil used in the Northeast U.S. They use so much that diesel fuel prices rise in the winter.

  • Jesse

    A good substitute for the winter heating oil used in the Northeast U.S. They use so much that diesel fuel prices rise in the winter.

  • Norman

    ALGAE IS THE WAY !!!!

  • Norman

    ALGAE IS THE WAY !!!!

  • http://www.boredquiz.com/ BoredQuiz

    gas is finally getting better, i hope that doesn’t slow these types of efforts down.

  • http://www.boredquiz.com/ BoredQuiz

    gas is finally getting better, i hope that doesn’t slow these types of efforts down.

  • http://www.misterinfo.de/users/erichansa erichansa

    We need it, gas is out of control

  • http://www.misterinfo.de/users/erichansa erichansa

    We need it, gas is out of control

  • Jeff Sampson

    Ew boy, I dont know about that. Nothing like having a fuel problem at 5,000 feet. I think I will stick with regular av gas.

    Jiff

    http://www.anonymize.kr.tc

  • Jeff Sampson

    Ew boy, I dont know about that. Nothing like having a fuel problem at 5,000 feet. I think I will stick with regular av gas.

    Jiff

    http://www.anonymize.kr.tc

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  • http://idonothaveasite.com/ digguser

    Algae aviation fuel? Imagine what kind of stuff we will be using as fuel in 100 years or even 200 years time….

  • http://idonothaveasite.com/ digguser

    Algae aviation fuel? Imagine what kind of stuff we will be using as fuel in 100 years or even 200 years time….

  • http://www.pendekbanget.com andi

    nice article..

  • http://www.pendekbanget.com andi

    nice article..

  • John C. Randolph

    Any turbine-powered helicopter will typically use Jet-A fuel.

    -jcr

  • John C. Randolph

    Any turbine-powered helicopter will typically use Jet-A fuel.

    -jcr

  • Uncle B

    Do some emergency helecopters use jet fuel? Is this fuel going to make them viable in a fuel shortage situation or will it be primaily for military protection?

  • Uncle B

    Do some emergency helecopters use jet fuel? Is this fuel going to make them viable in a fuel shortage situation or will it be primaily for military protection?

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