New Israeli research project to turn sewage-algae into biofuel

 

Funded by the Environmental Protection Ministry, the project is testing the possibility of using micro-algae, which grows in sewage, to produce bio-diesel.

Dan Lavie

 

A new Israeli research project could lead to the production of a new source of cheap and eco-friendly biological fuel using micro-algae.

Algae being grown in lab conditions. – Photo: Courtesy

The new project, headed by Dr. Marina Nisnevich from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at Ariel University and Dr. Yakov Anker of the Samaria and Jordan Rift Regional Center for Research and Development, is testing the possibility of using micro-algae, which grows in sewage, to produce bio-diesel, a type of biological fuel made out of plant oil.

The use of a mix of micro-algae strains that naturally grow in sewage is one of the unique aspects of the project, as they not do require a sterilization process. Algae is considered a high-yield crop, with the ability to provide a lot more energy than most other land-based crops.

The Environmental Protection Ministry is funding the project.

“At this stage we don’t foresee transportation fuels based on micro-algae completely replacing fossil fuels. However it is possible to reduce Israel’s dependence on conventional oil sources,” Nisnevich said.

View original Israel Hayom publication at: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=8925