Thread Content
Have you heard of the technology that uses seaweed to convert carbon dioxide into biofuels? Take a look at this report below – what are your thoughts? Recently, a demonstration plant that uses seaweed to convert carbon dioxide into biofuels and other products began construction in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is reported that South Africa will gradually introduce this green technology across the country, and expand it to other parts of Africa as well. In South Africa, using seaweed as a source for the next generation of biofuels has been a controversial topic, as previous models—whether local or international—although offering encouraging suggestions, lack solid empirical support. Recently, Jacobs University in Germany achieved impressive results in experiments aimed at using the photosynthesis of marine microorganisms to capture carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases emitted by power plants. They set up a photobioreactor with an area of 800 square meters near a lignite power plant, and since August 2008, this photobioreactor has been continuously converting carbon dioxide into biomass. In December 2008, Innoventon, the renowned Institute of Chemical Technology at Nelson Mandela City University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, signed a memorandum of understanding with Phytolutions, a joint venture affiliated with the University of the Free State, to establish pilot research projects at key industrial emission sources in the Eastern Cape Province, such as breweries, refineries, and cement plants, with the aim of expanding these projects throughout South Africa and other parts of Africa. Professor Benzley of Innoventon said that the Eastern Cape has excellent marine climate conditions favorable for algae growth, a variety of industrial sectors are present there, and Innoventon boasts skilled bioengineering experts; therefore, it is an ideal location for carrying out demonstration projects. Benzley said that by June of this year, a photobioreactor with an area of 200 square meters will be built at Mandela City University; this reactor will be able to produce 2 tons of biomass per year, which can be converted into biofuels, glycerin, and proteins. In 2010, two photobioreactors with an area of 1,000 square meters each will be installed around the factories of relevant industrial partners to evaluate the application of this technology in industrial processes. Benz said that over the next two years, they will optimize this technology based on the actual conditions in South Africa, and the size of the photobioreactors will also be adjusted to meet the carbon dioxide reduction targets. To reduce costs, the photobioreactor will be manufactured entirely locally according to Phytolutions’ design ； The seaweed will be placed in plastic bags and then laid on metal racks ； Carbon dioxide enters the algae bags through long pipes. Benzley said the goal of this project is to create a new model for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, namely by using low-cost, sustainable technologies to capture carbon dioxide on a large scale and permanently.