Researchers minimise impact of weather on algae growth
Researchers at the University of Dayton have designed a growing system that produces algae that are resilient to fluctuations in weather and temperature. The system can be transported anywhere, easily assembled, and operates in any climate, said Sukh Sidhu, head of the university's energy technologies and materials department. The process has the added benefit of using livestock manure instead of chemical fertilisers as a nutrient source. Algae feed on carbon dioxide produced by combustion processes, and in turn produce algae oil, which can be used to make biofuel.
In Ohio, researchers at the University of Dayton Research Institute are addressing algae’s vulnerability to fluctuations in weather and temperature, limiting commercial growers and researchers in their selection of growing systems and locations. “Our goal was to design and build an economical and efficient system that could be transported anywhere, easily assembled and operate in any climate, and we’ve done just that,” said the project’s lead. Aside from being more cost-efficient, UDRI’s growing process is “greener” than other systems, using livestock manure instead of chemical fertilizer as a nutrient source for the algae.