Dec 8 2010
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of New York City is commencing a biomass pilot project at the Rockaway Wastewater treatment plant.
The project involves a machine to convert algae into biofuel. The wastewater released from the plant generates more amount of nitrogen, all of which get discharged into the Jamaica Bay.
The city will be using the nitrogen heavy wastewater that is dumped into Jamaica Bay to help create a new fuel source.
The machine will use the treated wastewater to grow algae, which will be converted into biofuel. It will have two metal troughs of 350’ length, and it resembles an ecosystem by means of varying flow currents. The machine uses sunlight to help algae growth. In one minute, the machine will intake about 40 gallons of wastewater to grow the algae. The algae are grown in 10 – 14 days, after which it is taken out using special vacuums that separate algae from water.
The vacuumed algae are sent to the University of Arkansas’ chemical plant. Scientists at the plant will convert the algae into usable biofuel for use in vehicles such as cars. The commissioner of DEP, Cas Halloway commented that though it is a pilot project, the results are encouraging.