Washington, Mar 6 (ANI): University of Arkansas researchers have developed a method for converting common algae into butanol-a renewable fuel that can be used in existing combustible engines.
"We can make cars go. Our conversion process is efficient and inexpensive. Butanol has many advantages compared to ethanol, but the coolest thing about this process is that we're actually making rivers and lakes healthier by growing and harvesting the raw material," said Jamie Hestekin, leader of the project.
Hestekin and his research team grow algae on 'raceways,' which are long troughs-usually two feet wide and ranging from five-feet to 80-feet long, depending on the scale of the operation.
The troughs are made of screens or carpet, although Hestekin said algae would grow on almost any surface.
The researchers harvested the algae every five to eight days by vacuuming or scraping it off the screens. They treated the carbohydrates with acid and then heated them to break apart the starches and convert them into simple, natural sugars.
They then begin a unique, two-step fermentation process in which organisms turn the sugars into organic acids - butyric, lactic and acetic.
The second stage of the fermentation process focuses on butyric acid and its conversion into butanol.
The researchers used a unique process called electrodeionization, a technique developed by one of Hestekin's doctoral students.
The findings have been detailed to the Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Separation Science and Technology. (ANI)
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