Author Topic: Algae farming (Read 3627 times)

burn_your_money · « **on:** April 11, 2008, 01:41:05 am »

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/04/01/algae.oil/index.html?iref=newssearch

Pretty neat stuff

Dr. Diesel · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2008, 03:18:06 am »

now that's cool. we'll see how long before the big oil companies buy them out, and dismantle the operation.

Vanagoner · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2008, 07:40:00 am »

There is a pilot plant for algae/biodiesel north of me in Colorado. They built it next to the brewery, so that as the beer ferments the C02 is sent across the street, and the algae use it for food. (solix biofuels and New Belgium)

the caveman · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2008, 08:45:58 am »

When i heard about this a couple of years ago, i cleaned my aquarium and squeezed some of the algae in my hand and sure enough it was totally oily. Even with my TDI it wasn't quite enough to fill the tank, but i swear i would have had enough to go around the block!

Vanagoner · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2008, 09:32:26 am »

Yeah, the "biodiesel trees" are cool, but won't grow everywhere or give the same high yield as algae. Algae can be grown in arid regions where food crops don't grow, so it is a biofuel that doesn't compete with food. also, with the high yield there is a better chance of meeting total demand, even though conservation is always welcome.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2008, 09:35:10 am »

I wonder how hard an algae oil system (as apposed to WVO) would be to setup?

the caveman · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2008, 02:22:37 pm »

I was looking into that also, but i would think you would have to have a fairly large operation to be able to produce enough for even i vehicle. If you have a cheap or free source for CO2 and enough sunlight then you could set up a system like Bioking [don't even try to deal with them, they are scum and posers] tried to do where the algae is grown in tubes. With the right balance of sun, CO2 etc. turn around for a full growth is only a few hours!. This is alot of theory but quite doable given enough dicking around time to figure it all out

jtanguay · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2008, 03:26:47 pm »

from what i've read, algae yields higher oil percentage when lacking proper nutrients... somewhat like our bodies that store extra fat when in starvation mode. just need to 'starve' the algae but give them enough CO2 to produce the oil.

ultrasonic systems are available to break down the cell wall for very easy extraction as well. pricey though.

i would imagine that a fair sized greenhouse should yield enough for a vehicle and then some. a few ideas to increase efficiency i had was to have an enclosure on top of a shed using plexiglass and having it half filled with water. the water would slowly go through a maze, setup to keep the flow minimal and to give all the algae an equal opportunity at 'sunbathing' for photosynthesis. i would need a pump that wouldn't kill the algae though :lol: there would also be another larger holding tank below. i would love to do some experiments sometime.