U.S. Researchers Use Algae in Coal Plants

BLOOMINGTON, Ind., March 16 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers at Indiana University are studying the effects of algae on carbon dioxide from coal plants.

Algae naturally absorb carbon dioxide and could reduce the levels released into the atmosphere at coal plants, The (Bloomington, Ind.) Herald-Times reports.

"We hope it would absorb at least half, maybe more," said Mark Menefee, IU assistant director for utilities.

If carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants could be cut in half, they would have the same level of emissions as natural gas plants.

The carbon dioxide would be recycled and thrown into the boilers with the coal.

In the lab, gases with a controlled percentage of carbon dioxide are being fed into vats of algae, which are under grow lights. Researchers will measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the gas after it is mixed with the algae."

We have previously described this option, and wanted to note, again, that there might be better ways to use the algae than just tossing it back into the boiler furnace. For instance, jet planes have now flown in several places around the world on liquid fuel made from algae, and there are a number of companies, such as Sapphire, in the business of commercializing algae-based liquid fuels. And, the United Kingdom has, or had, an advanced program in place to capture emissions with algae in large bio-reactors. We're still behind the curve.