Innovation and inspiration are always key factors in the creation of new technology or new applications of existing technology.
Scottish Bioenergy Cooperative Ventures’ system of capturing CO2 emissions to grow algae falls directly into that camp. To then use that algae to produce biodiesel is a further illustration of innovation and inspiration.
Recently, the business completed a successful first phase testing of a small scale version of its algae bioreactor at The Glenturret Distillery, the home of The Famous Grouse whisky. CO2 was captured from the distillery's boiler exhaust and percolated through algae reactors converting it into oils and protein which could be used as fuel for the distillery.
David Van Alstyne said, “The UK has a large number of brewers and distillers who use heavy oil in the production of alcohol and who are seeking new methods to reduce their CO2 output. One distiller burning over 200 tonnes of oil per day at a single facility equates to over 500 tonnes of CO2 output. Our technology would reduce the CO2 emissions whilst creating useful and sellable biodiesel.”
Phase One testing saw CO2 from The Glenturret Distillery pumped through an array of algae growing tempered glass panels. In addition, effluent from the distilling process was circulated through the panels to provide nourishment for the colonies of algae. An ultrasonic wave breaks the algae cell wall allowing the oils to float to the top and proteins drop to the bottom before being drained off.
The test system at The Glenturret Distillery will consume approximately 100 Tonnes of carbon dioxide annually resulting in a 7% reduction in the CO2 output from the flue gas. At the same time the proposed 250 m2 project would produce 13 tonnes of biofuel annually.
The UK consumes approximately 1.8 million barrels of oil per day with approximately 50% of that being diesel. With The Renewable Energy Transport Obligation requiring the use of biodiesel and bioethanol, transport companies are Scottish Bioenergy Cooperative Ventures’ primary market.