ASU researches

converting algae

to biodiesel fuel
By Scott Nicholson

Appalachian State University is “going green” in the water, developing a research project to convert algae to biodiesel fuel.

ASU will build a greenhouse on the former county landfill to develop the research project, having received approval from the county commissioners Monday.

The proposal will combine efforts of ASU’s biology and technology departments, with the greenhouse construction also involving experimental techniques.

Graduate student Yonitan Strauss told the Watauga County commissioners during their recent meeting that the construction would be part of the university’s research building “affordable bioshelters” and will use liquid-foam insulation to increase the greenhouse’s efficiency.

The project is funded through the Environmental Protection Agency's P3 Sustainable Design Competition.
The Algae Initiative will explore new methods to grow the algae in hybrid production systems.

Erica Porras, the graduate student who will be running the project, said, “It’s a wonderful resource for biofuels” because 50 percent of its content is oil.

The goal of the project is to develop a fast-growing process, using carbon dioxide that is emitted from the decomposing matter buried in the landfill.

Since typical “open-pond” algae production requires a lot of space, the experimental “bioreactor” will seek to accelerate the growth rate and reduce the need for non-renewable energy in production.

The research will also include variations of nutrient sources and mixing or recirculation patterns.

Brian Raichle, ASU technology professor, said, “The EPA wants these projects to go commercial. In order for this liquid-foam insulation to be adopted, someone’s going to have to sell it.”

While people are able to adapt greenhouse projects for their own needs, ASU’s focus is designing a kit that a manufacturer might be interested in, creating the components and offering them to the market.

“The landfill is the perfect place to try this,” Raichle said.

The bioshelters project has gone through EPA contests, with ASU among 40 schools attending a competition in Washington, D.C., and receiving a $75,000 grant.

“We’re developing some relationships with manufacturers and hope they’re interested,” Raichle said, with the project aiming for a five-year payback period on the energy savings with the new insulation.

Watauga County recycling coordinator Lisa Doty presented the proposal and said there was space for the greenhouse near the county’s methane flare station, where methane gas emitted from decomposing organic matter is burned to reduce pollution and possible explosive gas build-up. The commissioners directed the county attorney to work up a lease agreement for the facility. ASU will pay utility and construction costs, and the greenhouse is expected to be in place this winter.