NY researchers identify 40 percent cost reduction in algae biodiesel production with continuous process

In New York, researchers at United Environment and Energy, working on a grant from the National Science Foundation, say that they have discovered a “continuously flowing fixed-bed” and solid catalyst process for biodiesel production from algae that reduces the cost of algae production by 40 percent.

The scientists say that their continuous process, as opposed to a batch process, eliminates water disposal and reduces the size of the production facility as well as saving time that was previously used to introduce liquid catalysts to new biodiesel batches. The lead researcher confirmed that his company is now conducting a 1 Mgy pilot trial of the process and could build a 50 Mgy algae biodiesel production facility using the process, or construct mobile production units.

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