Algal sludge turns to fuel in Christchurch, New Zealand

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Algal sludge turns to fuel
By Beck Eleven @ Stuff.co.nz | Tuesday, 19 December 2006

A team of Christchurch scientists and engineers will lighten the load on the environment by making fuel from algae growing in the Bromley oxidation ponds.

Excerpts:

1. The project will use two ponds and cost almost $1 million.
2. David Painter, the team's coordinator, & a faculty at the University of Canterbury, said the project would methods in a unique way.
3. Environmental benefits include oil for transport, LPG gas, reduction of ammonia discharged into the Avon-Heathcote Estuary and a fertiliser from by-products.
4. Microscopic algal organisms will be encouraged to link cells to grow more abundantly in the waste water ponds.
5. The algae will photosynthesise, taking harmful gases from atmosphere and flue gases from local industry.
6. Bubbles will float the weeds to the water's surface where a paddle-wheel system will harvest the algal sludge.
7. Seed funding for the project will come from the Christchurch-based Sustainable Initiative Fund Trust, an off-shoot from Terra Nova.

Personalities, Companies and organizations mentioned: University of Canterbury, Christchurch firm Solvent Rescue, Solvent Rescue Managing Director Chris Bathurst, David Painter, a faculty at University of Canterbury, NZ

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