OriginOil's algae harvesting process may be used at 100 Japanese sites

U.S.-based OriginOil Inc. announced that its partner, Takaaki Maekawa, head of Japan’s Research Institute of Tsukuba Bio-tech, has secured government funds that might result in the deployment of OriginOil’s algae-to-biofuel process at more than 100 sites. The initial grant covers two sites of more than an acre, where OriginOil’s algae harvesting technology will be used to both eliminate radioactive contaminants and produce biofuels.
The two initial algae-to-biofuel facilities will be installed close to the Narita International Airport, near Tokyo, and in Fukushima. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ grant is in line with Japan’s efforts to eliminate radioactive materials from contaminated lands following the Fukushima nuclear accident.
If the OriginOil process proves successful in toxic remediation along with biofuel production, more than 100 sites may be developed. A recent test conducted by the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) has reportedly shown that a strain of microalgae can remove nearly 90% of all radioactive material in cesium-contaminated water. (August 30, 2012)