Biodiesel from Algae

[WA_Vol]

Producing biodiesel from algae has been touted as the most efficient way to make biodiesel fuel. The advantage being that the land requirement for growing the biodiesel is very small. Independent studies have demonstrated that algae is capable of producing 30 times more oil per acre than the current crops now utilized for the production of biofuels. Algae biofuel contains no sulfur, is non-toxic and highly biodegradable. Some species of algae are ideally suited to biodiesel production due to their high oil content, in excess of 50%, and extremely rapid growth rates.
Algae BioFuels, a subsidiary of PetroSun Drilling, will be engaged in the research and development of algae cultivation as an energy source in the production of biodiesel. The R&D and production facilities for Algae BioFuels will be based in Arizona and Australia.

New Company to Produce Biodiesel From Algae (TreeHugger)

Why couldnt the U.S. have invested in this instead of trillion dollars in Iraq?

 

[rwemyss]

Also note that these algae often grow faster with high CO and CO2 concentrations... cleaning the air of those. This was first discovered when algae filters were developed for commercial exhaust cleaning.

Pretty neat stuff.

 

[MG1968]

Why couldnt the U.S. have invested in this instead of trillion dollars in Iraq?

I'd rather have the investment come from the market and not the government. Here you have another major petro chemical company branching into renewable energy.

It's a neat concept though.

 

[TennTradition]

Also note that these algae often grow faster with high CO and CO2 concentrations... cleaning the air of those. This was first discovered when algae filters were developed for commercial exhaust cleaning.

Pretty neat stuff.

that's pretty much true for any plant...CO2 fertilization, that is.

 

[rwemyss]

that's pretty much true for any plant...CO2 fertilization, that is.

Sure, but most plants aren't easily grown in smokestacks, or create a by product that is easily processed into fuel. k:

 

[Tenn_Vol_Authority]

Also note that these algae often grow faster with high CO and CO2 concentrations... cleaning the air of those. This was first discovered when algae filters were developed for commercial exhaust cleaning.

Pretty neat stuff.

Hmmm... then shouldn't we be seeing higher algae growth in the oceans? And if so, then are they not combating the so-called CO2 levels that man is so recklessly pumping into the atmosphere?

 

[TennTradition]

Hmmm... then shouldn't we be seeing higher algae growth in the oceans? And if so, then are they not combating the so-called CO2 levels that man is so recklessly pumping into the atmosphere?

I think that algae in the ocean has to get its CO2 from the surrounding ocean water...and the process from atmospheric CO2 to ocean water is not super fast...but it certainly happens. Current climate models include increased plant growth rates due to CO2 fertilization, including increased algae growth. This is one negative feedback mechansim that will naturally help combat climate change. There are natural postiive feedback mechanisms as well that make it worse....

 

[TennTradition]

Sure, but most plants aren't easily grown in smokestacks, or create a by product that is easily processed into fuel. k:

k:

 

[WA_Vol]

Hmmm... then shouldn't we be seeing higher algae growth in the oceans? And if so, then are they not combating the so-called CO2 levels that man is so recklessly pumping into the atmosphere?

they need a feedstock. they can only grow optimumly when they are fed optimumly. for example having the algae grown in conjuction with a tilapia fish farm and using the fish remains as a food source for the algae.

 

[TennTradition]

they need a feedstock. they can only grow optimumly when they are fed optimumly. for example having the algae grown in conjuction with a tilapia fish farm and using the fish remains as a food source for the algae.

Thanks...I left that part out in my post earlier. CO2 fertilization can only go so far towards plant growth. So, the climate models have a maximum rate of growth for their land and ocean plant based models that caps out based on the availability of other needed nutrients - in particular nitrates.

So, plants can grow at an accelerated rate with just CO2 alone..but that will only last so long before something else limits it...

Do you know what the limiting agent is with algae?? I'm guessing it is probably nitrates as well....