Future LPG vehicles could run on algae-derived fuel

The Directfuel consortium, which involves eight academic and industrial partners from Europe and one from the US, aims to genetically modify algae using special enzymes so that it emits propane gas. The gas would then be collected and compressed through the normal propane-processing procedure, turning it into its liquid form. This could be used for filling up the tanks of any LPG vehicle.

Dr David Leys, a biologist from Manchester University, a project participant, explained that no organisms − including algae − emit propane naturally.

But with the addition of enzymes, their behaviour will change. Leys compared the phenomena to the way bananas use ethylene to ripen fruit.

One of the advantages of the Directfuel technology is that the algae would be grown in industrial bioreactors exposed to sunlight, so it would not compete for space with food crops on agricultural land − unlike most biofuels.

Another difference is that the algae never needs to be harvested. The only thing fuel producers need is the gas emitted from the reactor.