Researchers Creating Algae Aviation Fuel

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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Ariel Schwartz (374 Posts)

Ariel Schwartz was formerly the editor of CleanTechnica and is a contributor at Fast Company, Inhabitat, Triple Pundit, SF Weekly, and NBC Bay Area Online. A graduate of Vassar College, she has previously worked in publishing, organic farming, documentary film, and newspaper journalism. Her interests include permaculture, hiking, skiing, music, relocalization, and cob (the building material). She currently resides in San Francisco, CA.

president

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

nice article..
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….
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
andi

nice article..
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?