Oil from manure-eating algae might one day heat our homes

[cali]

The latest technology in biodiesel on display at Nordic Dairy Farm more closely resembled a high school science project. On a table, a tangle of clear pipes connected a series of large flasks that gurgled with green and brown liquids.

This was just a model, said GSR Solutions president Anju Dahiya, who headed up the year-long research effort. But the process is the same as the larger-scale version in which Nordic Farm manure will serve as food for algae, which then produces oil that can be refined into biofuel.

GSR Solutions, partnering with the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association (VFDA) and the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), announced completion of a $51,000 USDA-funded Rural Business Enterprise Grant, bringing the state a step closer to making algae-derived biofuel a possible source of fuel.

The GSR solutions research team isolated an algae native to Vermont and grew it using the organic carbon waste from dairy farms and breweries. Under certain “stress conditions,” Dahiya said, some species of algae releases oil as a “bank balance for a rainy day.” That oil can be collected and refined to create a diesel-like fuel that can be used to heat homes, and fuel cars, trucks and airplanes.

At the farm Wednesday, a small crowd of researchers and contributors presented their findings to reporters, while flasks gurgled and a pungent smell of cow manure seeped in from an adjacent barn.

This, said Todd Campbell, energy adviser to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, signifies progress.

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https://vtdigger.org/2014/07/09/oil-manure-eating-algae-might-one-day-heat-homes/

[postulater]

1. Maybe one day we will figure out how to

use manure to fertilize our food crops and keep our soil healthy.

[kentauros]

2. Yep :)

Although, it's best to use manure from animals that haven't been fed medicines or other "additives", such as those classified within organic-food standards.

And yes, I would hope that one day, if we are even still eating as much meat, that all are raised in an organic manner. Humanure can't (or shouldn't) be used for the same reasons.

[cali]

3. widely done here in Vermont

as well as lots of composting.

[dembotoz]

4. if it works with fox new the energy problems could be over

[maxrandb]

5. Finally, something that could make those Limbaugh listeners productive! n/t