Now that you know about the pros and cons of algae biofuel, it's time to learn about the process. As with every scientific experiment, algae biofuel had to improve and is, in fact, still improving. In this article you will learn about the many roadblocks and discoveries that took place along the way. The article will mainly focus on how algae is grown - open pond vs. closed bioreactor.
Algae Biofuel Companies -
So, you know the basics about open ponds and closed bioreactors. It was touched upon in the last article. But did you know that, although, less protective, the open pond method is less money and uses less energy? Well, in fact, Algae companies such as, Solazyme and Sapphire Energy, are pursuing both the open and closed growing methods. Both of which have their advantages and disadvantages.
Recently, Solazyme joined with a Brazilian food processing giant and got a 120 million dollar loan. They claim that they will be able to produce an impressive 300,000 metric tons (approx.114,000,000 gallons) of algae bio fuel every year by 2016 and 100,000 metric tons (approx. 38,000,000 gallons) by the end of this year. Solazyme also had two smaller factories in Iowa and Illinois, USA.
On the other hand, Sapphire Energy has been working on making open ponds a success. To do so, they have been working on preventing microbes that harm the algae ponds and conducting multiple fundraisers. Currently, Sapphire Energy has a 2,200-acre open pond farm in New Mexico and claims that they will be able to produce 1.5 million gallons of algae biofuel per year by the end of 2014 and 10,000 barrels (approx. 315,000 gallons) a day by 2018.
Of course, there are more algae biofuel companies. However, none of them can compete with the approx. 40,000 gallons per (sounds pretty good so far)...
SECOND!!!
Yet, we hope that soon this will improve and there will one day be a gasoline-free world.
Scientific Discoveries-
There are many different ways to produce algae biofuel, one of which is to "pressure-cook" the algae. This was one of the many scientific discoveries of algae biofuel and in result lessens the time and expense needed to dry the algae before extracting the oil. To do so, scientists put wet algae into a pipe and then place it in 1,100 degree Fahrenheit sand. This process copies how oil is formed in nature.
There are many different ways to produce algae biofuel, one of which is to "pressure-cook" the algae. This was one of the many scientific discoveries of algae biofuel and in result lessens the time and expense needed to dry the algae before extracting the oil. To do so, scientists put wet algae into a pipe and then place it in 1,100 degree Fahrenheit sand. This process copies how oil is formed in nature.
Not only does this method or "the wet method" extract the fat from algae, it also breaks down carbohydrates and proteins. In the end, about 90% of the energy in the algae is extracted for oil. This is almost as high an amount as possible.
Of course, there are other scientific discoveries about algae biofuel and not all of which are about growing algae. For example, in England, scientists are using microbubbles, allowing algae to float on the water. As of now, though, I'm going to talk about bioengineered algae.
Bioengineered Algae-
One way of improving algae growth is bioengineering algae. This would increase the amount of fuel algae produces and would, thus, provide for many more people. Synthetic Genomics, can now produce five-ten times more algae biofuel using bioengineered algae than natural alage. This amount could grow even more as scientists strive to come up with the perfect formula.
However, bioengineered algae has it's downside. By using this method, it is more likely to run into problems or "roadblocks". For example, some countries do not allow genetically modified organisms.
Many organisms are now interested in alage biofuel. Algae biofuel is the gasoline of the future, once perfected, who knows what could happen.
For more information, check out http://news.thomasnet.com/green_clean/2013/02/26/biofuel-from-algae-part-two-the-way-forward/
Next week: Electric Cars
Of course, there are other scientific discoveries about algae biofuel and not all of which are about growing algae. For example, in England, scientists are using microbubbles, allowing algae to float on the water. As of now, though, I'm going to talk about bioengineered algae.
Bioengineered Algae-
One way of improving algae growth is bioengineering algae. This would increase the amount of fuel algae produces and would, thus, provide for many more people. Synthetic Genomics, can now produce five-ten times more algae biofuel using bioengineered algae than natural alage. This amount could grow even more as scientists strive to come up with the perfect formula.
However, bioengineered algae has it's downside. By using this method, it is more likely to run into problems or "roadblocks". For example, some countries do not allow genetically modified organisms.
Many organisms are now interested in alage biofuel. Algae biofuel is the gasoline of the future, once perfected, who knows what could happen.
For more information, check out http://news.thomasnet.com/green_clean/2013/02/26/biofuel-from-algae-part-two-the-way-forward/
Next week: Electric Cars
