Brunswick Community College (BCC) recently invited a group for a demonstration of the new photobioreactor, which is capable of growing a large amount of microalgae on campus.
BCC Lead Biology Instructor Michelle Sabaoun and BCC Director of Aquaculture Technology Dr. Doug Holland presented information on the College’s biotech initiatives and allowed the group to get an up-close look at the large tanks behind the aquaculture facility.
Over the next month the algae grown in those tanks will be processed for oil extraction.
Once this is accomplished the oil will be converted into biodiesel for use as fuel.
The demonstration was meant to encourage others to follow BCC’s lead.
Sabaoun says: "We hope those who attended will realise that this process is possible, and promising as a future feedstock for biodiesel."
The demonstration exhibits the possibility to feed the world and fill your tank simultaneously.
The Biotechnology program has submitted another grant proposal to the state BioNetwork for approximately $185,000.
That money could help expand the program further, producing two potentially marketable products; oil for biodiesel and fertilizer or animal feed.
College Creates Biodiesel from Algae
US An aquaculture college in North Carolina is researching ways of turning green algae into biodiesel.