vliegen op algen (to fly on algues)

Vliegen op algen (to fly on algues)

The airplane ‘Diamond DA 42’ can fly on a fuel that is gain from algues. This machine is still a model plane of the space concern EADS, but they hope that by 2040, 10% of their fleet will fly on the new fuel.

The benefits for the environment are enormous. First of all, we need less aguesfuel than kersone for the same distance. We safe one liter and a halve for each kilometer. Furthermore the algues grow  fast, even in polluted water. So the production cost is minimum. And finally, while the plant grows, carbon dioxide is withdrawn from the environment.

But there is still a bit of work on the new fuel, for example they have to tinker on the methods.

Louise Oosterlynck

source: vliegen op algen. EOS, 27, 2010, July-August, p.17