Energy

Cooperation on biodiesel research

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-04 14:20

JINAN -- A Chinese science academy in East China's Shandong province has clinched a deal to introduce photobioreactor technology from Chosun University in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to aid the former's research on mass producing oil-rich algae for biodiesel production.

Yang Hetong, head of the bio-research institute with the Shandong Provincial Academy of Sciences, said Friday the cooperation project was hoped to lead to more than 1,000 square meters of algae cultivation in two years.

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He said the photobioreactor technology from Chosun University would be used to stimulate growth of an oil-rich algae species discovered by the institute during preliminary lab research.

Yang said the institute had applied for patent protection of the algae species.

"Chosun University is willing to boost research cooperation with our institute while their counterparts in countries like America and Australia are blocking photobioreactor technology transfer to China," said Yang.

Theoretically, scientists can extract 60,000 liters of diesel per hectare of algae, meaning 4.5 million hectares of algae cultivation would satisfy half of China's current demand for diesel. China's total coverage of salinized land, which is ideal from growing algae but unproductive for farming, is estimated at 10 million hectares.

Chosun University, based in Gwangju City, is believed to be one of the oldest and most prestigious private universities in the ROK.