Video: Dow teams with Algenol Biofuels to build a pilot bio-refinery
Dow and Algenol are planning a first-of-a-kind pilot project in Freeport, Texas to demonstrate the commercial scale-up of converting industrial-sized levels of CO2 emissions into ethanol using salt water, sunlight, non-arable land and Dow’s engineering expertise and chemistry. In addition to land and providing an industrial CO2 source, Dow will provide the advanced materials, specialty films and water treatment solutions that will be used in the “photobioreactor” (PBR) system.
The process involves capturing and flowing the carbon dioxide into the photobioreactors that contain algae and seawater. While exposed to direct sunlight within each PBR unit, the algae uses the photosynthetic process to consume CO2 to create a more sustainable form of ethanol.
The result? A clean energy breakthrough capable of producing a renewable feedstock source that’s cost-competitive and a win-win solution for the planet.