Algae Biofuel is Cool!
Sorry - I couldn’t think of a creative title for yet another post about algae biofuel. By the way, all this algae-biofuel talk as of late has me thinking seriously about starting a separate site devoted to the topic - I’ll let you know if the idea comes to fruition. It’s definitely a topic I’m really interested in, but time (or lack thereof) is an important consideration.
Speaking of time, I don’t have much more today so here is a link to the article: Biofuel bonanza may lie in algae tanks
Basically it describes some research being conducted by New Mexico State University (NMSU), exploring the potential of using various species of saltwater algae for biodiesel production.
Here are some blurbs:
The project is investigating the best ways to grow and harvest certain species of algae, which produce a much higher level of oil than more traditional crops like soybeans or canola.
“The oil produced from algae will process into biodiesel as easily as oil obtained from land-based crops,” said a news release from CEHMM. “Algae is now considered to be one of the most critical components in alleviating the need for foreign oil. This does not, however, eliminate the likelihood of other oil-based feedstocks from being investigated. CEHMM is also collaborating with the Artesia Science Center on a project focused on the potential of growing a cold-season canola crop to generate oil for biodiesel production.”
But why attempt to raise saltwater algae hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean? The tremendous reserves of brackish water, mild climate and abundant sunshine in New Mexico make good conditions for algae farmers.
“We have sunlight and space, and we have a brackish and saline water supply,” said Steve Loring, assistant director of NMSU’s Agricultural Experiment Station. He noted that the project was a focus of the Artesia center’s annual field day in August.
The next step in the algae research, Lynn said, is to establish a larger demonstration pond at the Artesia center, about one-quarter of an acre in size. Construction of the pond should be complete in March. The new pond will enable a broader focus on growing and harvesting the algae, as well as oil extraction processes.
A much larger demonstration project to be started in 2008 eventually will cover about 100 acres, Lynn said.
Thanks to Mayloveheal for the Hugg post about the article.
Technorati Tags: algae, biofuel, biodiesel, ethanol, green energy, green fuels, alternative energy
Written by Bentley on January 11th, 2007 with
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