Passengers flying out of and into the Liverpool John Lennon Airport in Liverpool, England will be a part of a new effort to harness an unusual energy source: their breath. An intriguing piece of green technology made by Origo Industries, the Eco-Box, will capture the CO2 exhaled by travelers and transform it to fuel for use in the airport’s diesel vehicles and heating systems.
From LiveScience:
The Eco-box was originally designed to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles. It works by capturing carbon emissions through a photo-bioreactor as a feedstock for algae, producing biomass that is then refined and converted to green fuel.
“The project at the airport is an early trial of a system which we believe could have a significant impact on the way companies today can obtain fuel and manage carbon emissions,” said Iain Houston, Origo’s CEO and founder.
Installation of the carbon recycling system began in January, with a goal of harnessing 24,000 gallons of fuel from the pilot program, as well as providing heating and hot water to the airport. The company hopes to expand to a 289,000 gallon system following the trial, providing approximately 800 gallons of biofuel each day.
Origo may also look into using this technology to produce aviation-grade biofuel in the future, which could revolutionize the airline industry. Airlines have been struggling with the wildly fluctuating price of gas in recent times.
Yet another wonderful example of how alternative fuel sources are all around us, some in the most unexpected of places. We CAN move beyond fossil fuels, and will.
Link [LiveScience]
