Inexpensive Process Derives Natural Gas from Algae

A new method called catalytic hydrothermal gasification converts algae into natural gas and has been transferred from the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), operated by Battelle, to the Genifuel Corporation.

The new method is faster, more efficient and has higher yields than other similar processes, and the exclusive license agreement helps prepare the technology for commercial applications.

The technique was originally developed to help clean up industrial and food processing waste, but was refined over the years to enable the conversion of wet biomass.

Ninety-nine percent of the biomass is gasified and converted into natural gas and other byproducts that can be directed back into the algae cultivation process. According to its inventor, Doug Elliott, the process is “completely green.”

Genifuel, which has developed cultivation and harvesting techniques for aquatic biomass, hopes to use the PNNL process to convert biomass into clean fuel. Genifuel’s cultivation process doesn’t compete with food-crop producing endeavors as it doesn’t require high-quality water, nor does it use viable crop land.

The gasification process—the result of years calibrating temperature, catalysts and pressure for optimum performance—takes place at around 350 degrees Celsius in a small, stainless-steel reactor.

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