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Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

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  • Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

    Anyone care to comment on this:

    http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25077/?a=f

    It sounds kind of remarkable.

    (Cited by Naked Capitalism.)

  • #2
    Re: Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

    I think it shows a lot of promise. Biggest advantage is that it's not diverting any food crops, or taking up land that could be used to grow said crops. I'd like to know more about the wastewater from a plant like that, but on the whole I think it's a good idea, and will become more cost effective as oil becomes more expensive.

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    • #3
      Re: Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

      Originally posted by oddlots View Post
      Anyone care to comment on this:

      http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25077/?a=f

      It sounds kind of remarkable.

      (Cited by Naked Capitalism.)
      Hope it works

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

        Algae requires large phosphate inputs. World phosphate production peaked years ago. Sorry.

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        • #5
          Re: Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

          The method described above does not require harvesting algae for biomass. Phosphate is required in the growth phase of the algae -- very little is required in maintaining the life of the algae colony. By recycling the dead algae, the process may require very little additional inputs. The method is using algae as a conversion engine, converting carbon dioxide and water using sunlight into usable hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons and oxygen are given off as a waste matter by the algae.

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          • #6
            Re: Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

            Originally posted by Rajiv View Post
            The method described above does not require harvesting algae for biomass. Phosphate is required in the growth phase of the algae -- very little is required in maintaining the life of the algae colony. By recycling the dead algae, the process may require very little additional inputs. The method is using algae as a conversion engine, converting carbon dioxide and water using sunlight into usable hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons and oxygen are given off as a waste matter by the algae.
            Page 21 of the attached document, suggests that human-waste could be used to supply the needed phosphate.

            https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/...rad_thesis.pdf

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            • #7
              Re: Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

              Originally posted by dummass View Post
              Page 21 of the attached document, suggests that human-waste could be used to supply the needed phosphate.

              https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/...rad_thesis.pdf
              Now that's a food cycle I can believe in!

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              • #8
                Re: Renewable Fuel from "designer" Algae...

                I remember seeing an article recently regarding the airforce already using millions of gallons of fuel from 'algae/biomass' I can't seem to find it though.

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