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A Slimy Marine Organism Fit for Biofuel
A Slimy Marine Organism Fit for Biofuel
Bård Amundsen and Else Lie, The Research Council of Norway
July 02, 2013
...
Tunicates (ciona intestinalis) is the name of this unexpected source of such rich potential. The species is the starting point for a research-based innovation project being carried out by researchers and innovation specialists in Bergen. The idea was hatched by a group of researchers at the University of Bergen and Uni Research.
Produces Cellulose
The yellowish, slimy growth that many of us have come across on ropes that have lain in seawater is the marine organism known as tunicates.
Tunicates are basically living filter tubes that suck bacteria and other microorganisms into one end and excrete purified water out the other end. This is how tunicates feed — at the very bottom of the food chain and without competing directly with fish or other marine animals higher up in the chain. At the same time tunicates clean the fjords and coastal areas.
The fact that tunicates are also the only animals that produce cellulose...
...“Our single greatest challenge is cultivating enough biomass per square metre to make operations profitable,” explains project manager Troedsson. “We anticipate a crop of 100 to 200 kilograms per square metre, which is an extremely high yield. But that is what is needed for profitability because the price per kilo is so low.”
Bård Amundsen and Else Lie, The Research Council of Norway
July 02, 2013
...
Tunicates (ciona intestinalis) is the name of this unexpected source of such rich potential. The species is the starting point for a research-based innovation project being carried out by researchers and innovation specialists in Bergen. The idea was hatched by a group of researchers at the University of Bergen and Uni Research.
Produces Cellulose
The yellowish, slimy growth that many of us have come across on ropes that have lain in seawater is the marine organism known as tunicates.
Tunicates are basically living filter tubes that suck bacteria and other microorganisms into one end and excrete purified water out the other end. This is how tunicates feed — at the very bottom of the food chain and without competing directly with fish or other marine animals higher up in the chain. At the same time tunicates clean the fjords and coastal areas.
The fact that tunicates are also the only animals that produce cellulose...
...“Our single greatest challenge is cultivating enough biomass per square metre to make operations profitable,” explains project manager Troedsson. “We anticipate a crop of 100 to 200 kilograms per square metre, which is an extremely high yield. But that is what is needed for profitability because the price per kilo is so low.”
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/07/a-slimy-marine-organism-fit-for-biofuel?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-July3-2013