Kiwi clean tech company in demand

Kiwi clean tech company in demand

BLENHEIM, NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand-based Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation announced today that it will collaborate, as a co-funding partner, with the United States Gas Technology Institute (GTI) on an advanced biomass conversion technology programme worth US$3.1million that will be part funded by the US Department of Energy.

In March, the company announced it would be working with Honeywell’s UOP on another algal technology project funded by the US Department of Energy. http://www.aquaflowgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/media_release_3_3_20101.pdf

“We have reached another major milestone in expanding our US-based partnerships and project involvement and we are delighted to be working with GTI in this space,” comments Aquaflow director Nick Gerritsen.

Aquaflow will focus on expanding the algae biomass processing options it has available to deliver user-ready biofuels. The project’s initial phase will last 14 months.

“Both US projects demonstrate the breadth of the Aquaflow technology platform and its ability to work with partners to target and develop specific solutions in a complimentary fashion. The US Department of Energy is to be congratulated for its ongoing support. Without doubt this work will herald in the next generation of renewablefuels and chemicals from fresh algae biomass, comments Gerritsen.

He adds that Aquaflow will continue to develop its own biomass conversion technology in parallel with the US project as this provides yet another conversion option.

“This project will demonstrate the conversion of algae biomass directly to gasoline and diesel fuel using integrated hydropyrolysis and hydroconversion technology,” says Terry Marker, Bioenergy Initiatives manager at Illinois-based GTI. “At GTI we believe the key to future algae utilization is developing economical processes for cnverting algae to hydrocarbon fuels.

Jack Lewnard, GTI’s chief technology officer, adds, “We are pleased to have Aquaflow as a partner, given their pioneering role in developing cost-effective algae production and utilization processes.”

GTI is a leading not-for-profit research, development and training organization that has been addressing the US’ energy and environmental challenges by developing technology-based solutions for consumers, industry, and government for more than 65 years. To date, GTI programs have resulted in nearly 500 products, 750 licenses, and more than 1,200 associated patents.

ENDS

© Scoop Media