Media Release
September 11 2008
Aquaflow produces first samples of green-crude from wild algae
BLENHEIM, NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand-based Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation, which has been working on technology to convert
wild algae to next generation fuels, has produced the first samples of green-crude from its proprietary processes.
“This is an exciting development because we can separate fuels such as diesel and aviation fuels, as well as a range of
high value chemicals, from green-crude,” says Aquaflow chairman, Barrie Leay.
Green-crude differs significantly from first generation biofuels because it is made solely from photosynthetic
microorganisms (algae), which absorb sunlight, CO2 and nutrients found in waste streams or agricultural runoff. In
essence, green-crude has the same origins as traditional oil reserves.
Green-crude is renewable and complements petroleum-based crude oil products.
Wild algae may be grown in wastewater so it doesn’t require additional food crop or agricultural land.
Aquaflow sources its wild algae from the local municipal waste treatment oxidation ponds – essentially recycling a waste
stream into a valuable product.
“Our journey to develop a truly sustainable next generation fuel solution has taken us in a number of new and
significant directions. We’ve learned that developing fuels from green-crude is clearly achievable,” he explains.
Leay says that outputs from the green-crude samples are showing similar or greater potential than existing mineral based
petroleum products.
“We’re continuing to explore the range of products that may be developed from green-crude. We are likely to end up with
a suite of products that can literally be ‘dropped into’ the existing petroleum fuels infrastructure,” he comments.
“With the green-crude showing such promise we are now also concentrating on delivering high quality clean water in
addition for irrigation or industrial re-use,” adds Leay. “The process of removing wild micro-algae from wastewater
removes a substantial amount of contaminants, leaving the effluent water much cleaner than with existing treatment
systems. With further filtration and polishing the water may be reused for multiple purposes.”
Leay explains that Aquaflow’s technology appears to provide solutions to the two most significant issues globally –
energy security and water security.
www.aquaflowgroup.com
ENDS