St Marys Cement to pilot new CO2 absorption system

Toronto-based Pond Biofuels is piloting a new CO2 absorption system at St Marys Cement, Canada.

The new equipment will cut greenhouse gases by absorbing dirty stack emissions to grow algae which can subsequently be used in oil production, converted into biodiesel and bioplastics or act as a renewable coal substitute.

“Algal biomass can produce the same amount of energy as the equivalent amount of coal, and can be refined to produce higher grade fuels such as diesel and ethanol among others,” says Pond Biofuels. One tonne of algae can yield at least 100l of biofuel.

Pond Biofuels says there is significant worldwide potential for the technology, particularly among key CO2 emitters such as cement, refining, steel and coal.

“Solving the problem of industrial emissions requires industry, government, technology and capital all working together. We have that here, with Pond Biofuels providing the technology, St. Marys as our commercialisation partner, angel investors in the Biomaterials Investment Group and support from the Province of Ontario. Going forward, Pond’s made-in-Ontario technology can be applied to other essential industries, like steel, power generation and resource extraction,” said Steve Martin, CEO, Pond Biofuels in a release."

The firm expects to progress to a full-scale commercial facility at St Marys by 2014.