KBR to provide engineering services for a pilot plant designed to produce fuel from algae in Australia

(09/06/2010)

KBR has been chosen to provide engineering services for a pilot plant designed to produce fuel from algae. It was recently announced that the plant, to be located in South East Queensland, Australia, is to receive approximately USD$1.3m of funding from the Queensland Government.

KBR will provide engineering services for the project. Construction is planned to begin in August and the plant is expected to be operational within six months. KBR will provide a range of services, including design for the pilot plant, project controls and other specialist inputs.

“KBR chose to support this project because it complements the company’s commitment to a sustainable future,” said Colin Elliott, President, KBR Infrastructure and Minerals. “A focus on sustainability and the effects of climate change are forcing a review in emissions and waste management and therefore in energy sources of the future. The development of algal bioreactor plants is an opportunity for us to contribute to an important initiative which could have a significant impact in the future.”

An international consortium of researchers and private enterprise plans to build a pilot plant with three algal bioreactors (tanks in which algae are grown under light) to test the best design for optimum growing conditions. It is believed to be the first time design aspects have been tested to this level of detail.

The project, led by the University of Queensland’s (UQ) biofuels team and German photobioreactor specialists, aims to create economically viable fuel for a variety of uses.
Initial research by the UQ consortium shows that algae have significant potential as a fuel source because they grow considerably faster than other land-based plants, can be grown on infertile land or low quality soil, and can survive on low quality water. These features make them a potentially cost-effective fuel source.

In addition, some species can produce hydrogen gas, valuable products for the pharmaceutical industry and essential dietary compounds. All these will also be studied in the research plant.

Related categories:  Biofuels and biomass