Aquaflow, a clean energy company, is working towards making refined next generation biofuels a commercial reality within three years. The New Zealand-based company has executed a technology cooperation agreement with CRI Catalyst, a US firm. CRI Catalyst has exclusive global sub-licensing rights to IH² technology. The technology, developed by Gas Technology Institute (GTI) in the US, allows catalytic thermochemical conversion of biomass directly into renewable hydrocarbons. It uses customized proprietary catalysts developed by CRI Catalyst. With the technology, different varieties of feedstock, such as wood, algae, straw or other solid wastes, can be used to generate biofuel.

In an email interview with BioSpectrum, Mr Nick Gerritsen, director, Aquaflow, talks about how Aquaflow plans to produce commercially viable biofuels in three years.

Tell us about the unique Aquaflow technology that uses algae.

Mr Gerritsen: Aquaflow has developed significant expertise in efficient wild algae biomass growth and harvesting as well as in technology to mix algae with other biomass to create "multi-biomass" feeds. We have successfully tested these systems at the pilot stage. We have found the algae and "multi-biomass" feeds to produce high yields of renewable hydrocarbon fuels and to blend stocks using the catalytic thermochemical IH² conversion process developed by the GTI in the US.

These "multi-biomass" feedstock may incorporate wood, algae, agricultural straws and other solid wastes. The IH² technology converts biomass directly into renewable hydrocarbons spanning the gasoline, jet and diesel range using customized proprietary catalysts developed by CRI Catalyst. Where algal biomass is a feedstock option, remediated water is a significant additional benefit.