GreenFuel Technologies Corporation
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GreenFuel Technologies Corporation (GFT) is an MIT startup that has developed a process of growing and harvesting algae using emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
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[edit] Technology
Known as Emissions-to-BiofuelsTM, the process uses a photosynthetic bioreactor supplied with exhaust gasses from a fossil fuel combustion source to grow algae. As smokestack emissions are delivered to the algae bioreactor, carbon dioxide and other pollutants are absorbed and utilized by the algae to grow at an exponential rate. Once harvested, the algae is processed to produce a variety of solids such as protein and bioplastics, gasses such as methane, and biofuels such as ethanol and bioDiesel.
[edit] Application
Sources of carbon rich exhaust include manufacturing facilities and electricity generation plants, especially those which burn coal. Once the algal biomass is harvested and processed, the resulting fuel may be sold for additional revenue or utilized on-site.
[edit] History
GFT was founded by Isaac Berzin in April, 2001 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A beta emission reduction system was installed at an MIT cogeneration facility in 2004 and after performing beyond expectations was moved to a larger power plant in fall 2005. The system has since been relocated to Naboomspruit, South Africa where it has been coupled with a biodiesel reactor made by Green Star Products Inc.. Other projects exist in Arizona, Massachusetts and New York. Although the algal biomass produced by the process consists of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates which could be used to produce a variety of products, GFT seems to be focusing on biofuel products.
[edit] Benefits
The biofuel yield using the GreenFuel technique is 30 times higher per hectare compared to the yield of oil derived from conventional terrestrial crops. Emissions of carbon dioxide are reduced by 40% and emissions of oxides of nitrogen are reduced by up to 85%. Plant retrofits can be made with minimal disruption to existing facilities.
