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LOGAN, Utah (AP) -- Utah State University has received a $500,000 state grant to experiment with turning algae into methane that could ultimately fuel city vehicles.
The school's new Energy Dynamics Laboratory will develop an experimental facility to grow and harvest algae from wastewater lagoons west of Logan.
Algae consumes phosphorus, which comes from detergents and soaps that run down residents' drains. Water with phosphorous in it creates algae blooms in Cutler Reservoir. The blooms block sunlight and use up oxygen.
The city now uses chemicals to keep algae from taking over. But the Energy Dynamics Laboratory would let it grow and eat up phosphorus. The algae would then be collected and put through a digester to make methane gas.
Developing the pilot project should take two to three years.
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Information from: The Herald Journal
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
