Qatar University to enhance bioethanol production in aviation sector

Qatar University plans to enhance biofuel production for use in the airlines industry in collaboration with Qatar Airways and Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP).

The university’s state-backed QR45.5m ($12.50m) biofuel project was initiated 2 years ago and had since created bioethanol from bacterial and algal sources.

Research demonstrated the viability of sustainable biofuels generation from photosynthetic microorganisms that are prevalent in the arid country.

The biofuels team extracted fat (lipids) from lab cultures to develop fuel, which was then converted to bioethanol using carbohydrates.

Commercial bioethanol production not only serves to reduce fixed costs for the international airline industry, but also decreases atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Qatar University now plans to scale up production from 1,500 liters produced until recently to 25,000 liters, to be generated in specially constructed outdoor research ponds.

On successful production, a pilot plant will be developed and is expected to generate 1.5million liters.

Biofuels project director Dr Malcolm Potts stated that the team is using versatile micro-organisms which are particularly suitable to Qatar’s environment.

"We are trying to develop a biofuel industry here in Qatar, using new technologies not found anywhere else in the world," Potts said.

Project manager Hareb al-Jabri added, "We are at an exciting and critical point in this project. If successful, it could help transform the international aviation industry."