A group of scientists and biologists from the Đà Nẵng University of Education and Science under the University of Đà Nẵng (UED), have released a report on biodiesel production from microalgae. Photo courtesy of UED

ĐÀ NẴNG – A scientific research and practical application report on a project that helps turn microscopic algae (microalgae) into raw material for biodiesel has been released by a group of biologists from the Đà Nẵng University of Education and Science under the University of Đà Nẵng (UED).

This marked a positive collaboration between business and scientists in green production and sustainable growth in central Việt Nam.

The VNĐ7 billion (US$270,000) project has seen a fruitful cooperation deal between the local university and Bình Sơn Refining and Petrochemical JSC on the development of a high-tech farming pilot project producing 2,000 kilogrammes of dried microalgae per year for biofuel production.

Dr Trịnh Đăng Mậu, dean of biology-agriculture-environment at the university, reported that the group had successfully introduced an integrated solution in farming microalgae with waste water and carbon absorption released from the Dung Quất Oil Refinery plant in Quảng Ngãi Province.

He said collected microscopic algae will be used as raw material for biodiesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a low-carbon alternative of jet fuel.

Biology researchers checking production at a high-tech farm for material for biofuel in Quảng Ngãi Province. VNS Photo Công Thành

He emphasised that the cooperation between education and business would help promote special purpose education in setting up tailored educational programmes at the university to help source firms' manpower needs.

The Đà Nẵng University of Education and Science previously started a joint venture with the Vạn Tường high-tech farm co-operative in farming and processing spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, into herbal tea, biscuits, jelly and capsules. This marked the first ever chemical-free production line in the Bình Sơn eco-tourism manufacturing chain.

Over the past two decades, research on producing biofuels from green microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) had been conducted in the city, but a deal on pilot production had not yet been made. VNS