The Qatar University’s project is a state-backed research program, carried out in cooperation with Qatar Airways and Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). The first phase (USD 12 million) started in 2010 and is expected to finish end of 2013.
It focuses on the cultivation of single-celled photosynthetic organisms (cyanobacteria and microalgae) that are well suited to the Qatar local environment: extreme heat, strong sunlight and highly saline water. The main goals of the initial phase were to obtain candidate biofuel microalgae and test their performance outdoors in Qatar’s climatic conditions.
The plan for the second phase of the project is to capture CO2 generated by natural gas, oil and desalination industry for algal growth.
The ultimate goal is to build a pre-commercial pilot plant with an indicative volume of 1.5 million of litres and to produce one barrel of liquid biofuel per day.
