Algae-based fuel could power motor vehicles in the
future, according to scientists at Munich Technical University (TUM)
in Germany.
Professor Johannes Lercher and members of his team from TUM's
chemistry department have developed a new catalytic process that they
say allows the effective conversion of biopetroleum from microalgae
into diesel fuels. The process was presented in the most recent issue
of the German journal Angewandte Chemie (Applied Chemistry).
Experiments aimed at producing biofuel from algae are currently
being conducted worldwide because algae can be cultivated anywhere
and grow very quickly -- even in industrial wastewater. Previously
known methods for refining oil from microalgae have various
disadvantages. Among other things, the fuel has very high oxygen and
poor flow properties at low temperatures.
The Munich scientists have now proposed a new process using a
novel catalyst of nickel on a porous support material. "The products
are diesel-range saturated hydrocarbons that are suitable for use as
high-grade fuels for vehicles," Lercher said. Leftover algae from
fuel production could be used as fertilizer to cultivate more algae.
The TUM project was supported by the European Aeronautic Defence
and Space Company (EADS). In a world first, a twin-engine airplane
running on biofuel from microalgae took off at the Berlin Air Show
two years ago. EADS spokesman Gregor von Kursell said new ways now
had to be found to make algae-based fuel profitable.
