The Technology
ABC harvests algae directly from the settling ponds of standard Effluent Management (EM) Systems and other nutrient-rich water. The process can be used in many industries that produce a waste stream, including the transport, dairy, meat and paper industries.
The two-step process firstly optimises the ponds' productive capacity, and secondly, determines the most efficient and economic way of harvesting the pond algae. Algae are provided with full opportunity to exploit the nutrients available in the settling ponds, thereby cleaning up the water. The algae are then harvested to remove the remaining contaminant. A last stage of bio-remediation, still in development, will ensure that the water discharge from the process exceeds acceptable quality standards.
The water and sludge treatment process is an elegant clean-up and management service to councils responsible for sewage treatment systems while also generating a low-cost feedstock for conversion to fuel.
The result is an algae-based extract that will ultimately be converted to an alternative fuel source.
ABC are focussed on advanced technologies for biofuel production other than traditional methods producing methyl ester biodiesel.
The Marlborough sewage pond details are:
- 60ha of open oxidation ponds.
- Serving a population of 27,000 with a mix of municipal and agro-industrial waste, including a significant wine industry.
- Annual water flow of 5 billion litres.
