Scientists Develop New Method for Cheap Biofuel Production

Researchers from the Melbourne School of Engineering in Australia have discovered a new way to deliver carbon dioxide to microalgae which can be harvested to make renewable fuels.

Carbon dioxide is well known to speed up the growth of microalgae. However, the carbon dioxide has to be free of contamination or the algae will die. Researchers discovered this new method which purifies the carbon dioxide that is in power station fuel gases by absorbing it into a liquid.

This liquid is then pumped through hollow fibre membranes which can be immersed into the microalgae beds. The CO₂ is directly fed from the liquid into the microalgae culture by permeating through the fibre walls. Other chemical products can also be produced using the same approach.