New harvesting method developed for algae

A new harvesting technique that separates algae from the water has been developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield.

Microbubbles have been implemented into algae stock that allow the particles to float to the surface of the water. The new technique is a significant development in making the biofuel a more commercially viable option. It used 1,000 times less energy to produce the bubbles than previous methods and can be installed at a lower cost.

According to Professor Will Zimmerman, who led the research: "We thought we had solved the major barrier to biofuel companies processing algae to use as fuel when we used microbubbles to grow the algae more densely."

"It turned out, however, that algae biofuels still couldn't be produced economically, because of the difficulty in harvesting and dewatering the algae. We had to develop a solution to this problem and once again, microbubbles provided a solution."

Etihad recently operated its first biofuel-powered flight, the Economic Times have reported, with a Boeing 777-300ER travelling the 14 hours from Seattle to Abu Dhabi on sustainable fuel. Quantas and the US Navy are also experimenting with biofuels, as well as Lufthansa, British Airways, United and Virgin.

Posted by Claire Manning