Oilgae Blog - The Latest from the World of Algae Fuels
Cyanotech Sold 600 gallons of Algae Oil to Sapphire Energy
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Hawaii’s two publicly traded biotech companies are generating as much business by selling raw algae in bulk as they are by selling their core product, algae-based nutritional supplements.
The sales of raw materials are primarily to companies that produce biodiesel from algae.
Biodiesel from Algae oilDuring the second half of 2008, both Cyanotech Corp. and Mera Pharmaceuticals saw half their revenue generated from bulk sales of algae. Previously, raw materials averaged less than 40 percent of total sales at both firms, company executives said.
The sales of raw materials are primarily to companies that produce biodiesel from algae.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments
South Korea Researchers Breaks Algae into Simple Sugars using Enzymes.
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Now, researchers in South Korea have managed to devise a method of obtaining ethanol that is both very safe and highly productive.The main secret behind their revolutionary technique is a certain enzyme, which has the capacity of breaking down the algae into simple sugars. As we all know, that's the stuff ethanol is made off, and a simple fermentation process is all that is required in order for that to happen.
All someone would need in order to to produce ethanol would be a very large bowl, some algae, the enzyme, as well as gas-trapping equipment and pressurization devices, so as to bottle the biofuel.
Furthermore, because algae grow in their natural habitat, underwater, they develop very fast, and can be harvested approximately 5-6 times per year, which would lead to a considerably increased efficiency, as opposed to waiting for potatoes to grow in rough soil, once a year. Another great advantage that algae have is the fact that they do not contain lignin, like the wood does, which means that they don't have to be treated with chemicals before being processed.
All someone would need in order to to produce ethanol would be a very large bowl, some algae, the enzyme, as well as gas-trapping equipment and pressurization devices, so as to bottle the biofuel.
Furthermore, because algae grow in their natural habitat, underwater, they develop very fast, and can be harvested approximately 5-6 times per year, which would lead to a considerably increased efficiency, as opposed to waiting for potatoes to grow in rough soil, once a year. Another great advantage that algae have is the fact that they do not contain lignin, like the wood does, which means that they don't have to be treated with chemicals before being processed.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research
PetroSun CEO Invited to Speak at 4th Renewable Energy Finance Forum
You are at: Oilgae Blog.PetroSun, Inc. announced today that its CEO, Gordon LeBlanc, Jr., has accepted an invitation to speak at the 4th Renewable Energy Finance Forum - China to be held in Beijing on May 12-13, 2009. The Renewable Energy Finance Forum - China is jointly organized with the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association. The focus of the forum is finance and investment in renewable energy. Mr. LeBlanc will discuss the commercialization of biofuel technologies in the Chinese market.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) Researcher Explores Algae
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A Southern Illinois University Carbondale researcher is exploring the potential use of algae as an alternative energy source.
Yanna Liang, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is working on ways to improve and extract naturally occurring substances in certain algae strains that can be used to create biodiesel fuel.Of the huge number of algae types, Liang is focusing her research on two varieties that appear to have particular potential.
One, Chlorella vulgaris, is a fresh-water alga that uses carbon dioxide to grow and create lipids, substances similar to those found in corn and used to produce vegetable oil. As an autotrophic organism, it is relatively slow growing but produces cells with high lipid content.
The second strain - Schizochytrium limacinum SR21 - is a seawater alga that is heterotrophic, meaning it must be "fed" a carbon source in place of carbon dioxide. This particular strain can use glycerin, which is a byproduct - often a waste product - of biodiesel production. Liang sees a particular advantage in this, as the strain might be integrated into the production stream at some point, creating greater efficiency and less waste.
Yanna Liang, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is working on ways to improve and extract naturally occurring substances in certain algae strains that can be used to create biodiesel fuel.Of the huge number of algae types, Liang is focusing her research on two varieties that appear to have particular potential.
Dr. Yanna Liang, Ph.D.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale,.
One, Chlorella vulgaris, is a fresh-water alga that uses carbon dioxide to grow and create lipids, substances similar to those found in corn and used to produce vegetable oil. As an autotrophic organism, it is relatively slow growing but produces cells with high lipid content.
The second strain - Schizochytrium limacinum SR21 - is a seawater alga that is heterotrophic, meaning it must be "fed" a carbon source in place of carbon dioxide. This particular strain can use glycerin, which is a byproduct - often a waste product - of biodiesel production. Liang sees a particular advantage in this, as the strain might be integrated into the production stream at some point, creating greater efficiency and less waste.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
National Algae Association - Fifth Algae Biofuels Development Conference
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The National Algae Association will hold its fifth algae biofuels commercialization, research and development conference on January 29-30, 2009 in Houston. The event will start with presentations from algae producers and algae reserchers and technology providers. The draft agenda will be Sapphire Energy, BioCentric Energy, Kai BioEnergy, Guava Technologies, Rosetta Genomics, Bard LLC, REG, Rentech, Cauffiel Technologies, Algabio and AlgaeLink. The conference will also feature break-out sessions for innovations and scientific advancements in algae research and development.
"Recent breakthroughs in synthetic biology, closed-end loop photobioreactor systems, and raceway pond developments are helping to accelerate the advancement of commercialization of algae biofuels," said Will Thurmond, Chairman of R&D for the NAA and author of Algae 2020. "In this effort, the National Algae Association is uniquely dedicated in providing quarterly forums to showcase and support the advancement of these endeavors," said Thurmond.
"Recent breakthroughs in synthetic biology, closed-end loop photobioreactor systems, and raceway pond developments are helping to accelerate the advancement of commercialization of algae biofuels," said Will Thurmond, Chairman of R&D for the NAA and author of Algae 2020. "In this effort, the National Algae Association is uniquely dedicated in providing quarterly forums to showcase and support the advancement of these endeavors," said Thurmond.
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Algae Technology - Early Investors Can Make Huge Profits
You are at: Oilgae Blog."While the algae fuel field is not completely crowded, multiple players are developing, harvesting and extracting systems that could one day be industry-standard designs. In as little as three years, we could see a powerful new energy industry."
Algae has great potential as an alternative and clean source of oil. Greg Gunner Guenthner "we could see a powerful new energy industry emerging in the next few years. He says early investors could make huge profits with these three small cap companies developing the technology to extract fuel from algae"
"Chevron and Shell have started exploring the possibilities of algae. There are also a few small companies that are working on the technology. Below are three penny stocks in the algae fuel business. All of these stocks have a market cap under $2 million, a share price under 10 cents, and can be found on the Pink Sheets and Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board:
* GreenShift Corporation (OTC:GERS)
* Nanoforce Inc. (PINK:NNFC)
* PetroSun Inc. (PINK:PSUD)
With the coming transition to alternative fuels, early investors in algae oil stand to claim some huge gains if this technology takes off… "
"Chevron and Shell have started exploring the possibilities of algae. There are also a few small companies that are working on the technology. Below are three penny stocks in the algae fuel business. All of these stocks have a market cap under $2 million, a share price under 10 cents, and can be found on the Pink Sheets and Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board:
* GreenShift Corporation (OTC:GERS)
* Nanoforce Inc. (PINK:NNFC)
* PetroSun Inc. (PINK:PSUD)
With the coming transition to alternative fuels, early investors in algae oil stand to claim some huge gains if this technology takes off… "
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BioCentric Energy Appoints Dennis Fisher and Dennis Shen
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BioCentric Energy, Inc. has appointed both Dennis Fisher and Dennis Shen as board members for BioCentric Energy Holdings (PINKSHEETS: BEHL). As part of the merger agreement Mr. Dan Motsinger shall be resigning as both a board member and as President. Mr. Fisher shall also be placed as President of BEHL.
Dennis Fisher, Board Member and President for BioCentric Energy, Inc., stated today," For a number of years we have been building Our Unique Green Team which consists of proven capable and successful professionals that are and have been committed to delivering our country and our planet a profitable path to reduce global warming." Mr. Fisher went on to say, "Approximately one third of the CO2 Green House Gas Emissions are directly attributed to the production of energy in our country (http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/sequestration/publications/programplans/2005/sequestration_roadmap_2005.pdf). Our primary focus is the delivery of our low cost photobioreactor systems that take the emissions from smoke stacks and, in a closed loop environment, grow algae for production and harvest."
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Algae Protein Market -A Driving Force for Algae Biodiesel
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The growing use of algae biomass for nutraceutical purposes is expected to provide an attractive revenue stream for those using algae oil for biodiesel.The further development of a large-scale algae protein market will be the driving force to making algae oil a reality for biodiesel production. The path forward is awaiting, but more marketing and penetration into existing food sectors is needed. The sports nutrition market is worth more than $27 billion per year and has a great potential as an algae protein market.
Algae, are a fish food, used for many common species including tilapia. Algae are also used to feed the brine shrimp used to feed other species of farm-raised fish such as salmon. Regardless, algae are in high demand for fish food in the aquaculture market and provide a great revenue stream for the algae industry.
The vitamins and minerals within algae may be fractionated from the biomass. This application has been used for years for a wide array of products in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. After the algal biomass is fractionated, the remaining cellulosic material and sugars make a great feedstock whole, or blended with other feedstocks, for the production of cellulosic ethanol.
As these potential new markets open, and due to the high value of biomass, algae lipid oil will become a reality as a feedstock for biodiesel production. These are some of the factors that need to be considered in order to make an algae farm for lipid oil profitable and provide an inexpensive high-grade feedstock for biodiesel production.
A twin photobioreactor and lighting array is used to produce algae
Algae, are a fish food, used for many common species including tilapia. Algae are also used to feed the brine shrimp used to feed other species of farm-raised fish such as salmon. Regardless, algae are in high demand for fish food in the aquaculture market and provide a great revenue stream for the algae industry.
The vitamins and minerals within algae may be fractionated from the biomass. This application has been used for years for a wide array of products in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. After the algal biomass is fractionated, the remaining cellulosic material and sugars make a great feedstock whole, or blended with other feedstocks, for the production of cellulosic ethanol.
As these potential new markets open, and due to the high value of biomass, algae lipid oil will become a reality as a feedstock for biodiesel production. These are some of the factors that need to be considered in order to make an algae farm for lipid oil profitable and provide an inexpensive high-grade feedstock for biodiesel production.
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Products
John Benemann - New Advisor to Future Fuels Consortium
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Dr John Benemann, who has worked in the area of microalgae biofuels in the United States for more than30 years, has been appointed as a specialist advisor to the Future Fuels Consortium comprising the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Flinders University, CSIRO and major project sponsor SANCON.
Dr Benemann says SA has the potential to produce algal biodiesel feedstock but there are challenges in developing a sufficiently low-cost technology to produce microalgae biofuel economically, including stable cultivation at high productivity and harvesting.
By off-setting production costs with high value co-products such as nutraceuticals, and co-processes such as waste water treatment, the vision of algal biofuels could be realised in the nearer term, he said.
As an example of the potential of microalgae for biodiesel production, it has been estimated that only 400,000 hectares of land using seawater is required to replace Australia's current biodiesel needs, compared to 20 million hectares of canola growing on agricultural land and using freshwater resources.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies
Southern Invention Turns Sewage Algae Into Crude Oil
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Invercargill engineering firm BL Rayners Ltd and Christchurch recycling company Solvent Rescue Ltd have collaborated under the name Solray to develop the machine, which has taken them 18 years to perfect.
Solvent Rescue owner Chris Bathurst said the MKII had been operating for the past four months after performing to expectation during its testing phase.It was two to three months away from being used commercially at the Bromley oxidation ponds in Christchurch, he said"It's a high-risk project but we feel we're ahead of the game."
The machine left sewage water clean, while the algae absorbs carbon dioxide, making the technology appealing to councils and heavy polluters, Mr Bathurst said. Twelve councils had already made inquiries, he said.
- The machine uses high pressure to turn algae, grown in sewage ponds, into algal sludge.
- The sludge is then processed using pressure, temperature, timing and a secret catalyst to turn it into crude oil.
- The crude oil can then be refined into jet fuel (kerosene), petrol, methane, LPG, diesel, or bitumen.
- The sewage pond water is left clean enough to be re-used by industry.
- The algae absorbs carbon dioxide.
- The process replicates how oil is created naturally, but much faster.
Indian Oil Corporation Plans To Invest In Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Despite the sharp fall in crude oil prices globally, government-owned oil companies are not scaling back their research and development (R&D) spends on alternative and renewable energy. They have, in fact, been aggressively increasing their outlays for such programmes.
For instance, Indian Oil Corporation, the nation’s biggest marketer and refiner, doubled its R&D spend from Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore this year. The company is conducting research in areas like biodegradable lubricants and oil refining technology. The company will shortly commission a pilot at its Faridabad centre, where it will install technology for coal gassification and production of ethanol from biomass.
“We are bullish on investing in forms of alternative and renewable energy. At our R&D centre, we are looking at developing eco-friendly lubricants and producing diesel from algae. We are also looking at tying up with international energy institutes,” said Anand Kumar, director, R&D, IOC. The company has recruited five scientists from international universities for its laboratories.
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For instance, Indian Oil Corporation, the nation’s biggest marketer and refiner, doubled its R&D spend from Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore this year. The company is conducting research in areas like biodegradable lubricants and oil refining technology. The company will shortly commission a pilot at its Faridabad centre, where it will install technology for coal gassification and production of ethanol from biomass.
“We are bullish on investing in forms of alternative and renewable energy. At our R&D centre, we are looking at developing eco-friendly lubricants and producing diesel from algae. We are also looking at tying up with international energy institutes,” said Anand Kumar, director, R&D, IOC. The company has recruited five scientists from international universities for its laboratories.
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Kentucky Univ & General Atomics - Explore Enzyme, Algae Process
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Researchers at the Center for Renewable and Alternative Fuel Technologies at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky., are partnering with San Diego-based General Atomics to study the potential for converting cellulosic biomass into biodiesel and ultimately jet fuel.
“This partnership links Kentucky and EKU with an international business leader that is turning its focus and considerable resources to biomass-to-fuel initiatives,” said university President Doug Whitlock. “This project is different in that it will be focused on the production of biodiesel and ultimately biobased jet fuel using nonfood cellulosic materials in a process that will utilize algae to convert the biomass into bio-oils. The research at EKU will determine both the optimal ‘recipe’ of cellulosic material and the economic feasibility of the project.” He said EKU will also pursue opportunities to develop collaborative relationships with other colleges and universities.
“This partnership links Kentucky and EKU with an international business leader that is turning its focus and considerable resources to biomass-to-fuel initiatives,” said university President Doug Whitlock. “This project is different in that it will be focused on the production of biodiesel and ultimately biobased jet fuel using nonfood cellulosic materials in a process that will utilize algae to convert the biomass into bio-oils. The research at EKU will determine both the optimal ‘recipe’ of cellulosic material and the economic feasibility of the project.” He said EKU will also pursue opportunities to develop collaborative relationships with other colleges and universities.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research
Industrial Algae Plant Configuration Face Problems
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Algae developers are riding a wave of interest due to the single-celled plant’s ability to grow rapidly and produce valuable products that can be used to make biodiesel. How industrial algae plants will be configured is yet unknown, but producers will face the same problems as other alternative energy producers—where to put the facility and how to get government permission to build it.
It is hard work getting an industrial plant built. Developers need to find a site with easy access to infrastructure for water, power and transportation yet not too close to residential or commercial areas that may object to noise, traffic, odor or any number of other inconveniences. They must then contend with a thicket of agencies, starting with local zoning boards and state pollution control agencies and sometimes even needing federal approvals before they can start pushing dirt and laying foundations. Even then, community residents and outsiders, who may believe they weren’t consulted properly can still swoop in and cause more headaches with lawsuits and media campaigns designed to delay or stop a project.
These problems can be magnified when a project is a “first-of-its-kind” facility for what promises to be a booming industry in the future. Algae production for biofuels, biomass, chemicals and other products faces these challenges. Companies pursuing algae production could learn from previous generations of alternative energy production, says Peter Mostow, a partner with Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, a law firm that works with many clean technology and renewable energy firms.
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Algae developers are riding a wave of interest due to the single-celled plant’s ability to grow rapidly and produce valuable products that can be used to make biodiesel. How industrial algae plants will be configured is yet unknown, but producers will face the same problems as other alternative energy producers—where to put the facility and how to get government permission to build it.
The illustration shows a future algae farm surrounding an integrated fossil carbon input plant and an algal biomass conversion plant.
It is hard work getting an industrial plant built. Developers need to find a site with easy access to infrastructure for water, power and transportation yet not too close to residential or commercial areas that may object to noise, traffic, odor or any number of other inconveniences. They must then contend with a thicket of agencies, starting with local zoning boards and state pollution control agencies and sometimes even needing federal approvals before they can start pushing dirt and laying foundations. Even then, community residents and outsiders, who may believe they weren’t consulted properly can still swoop in and cause more headaches with lawsuits and media campaigns designed to delay or stop a project.
These problems can be magnified when a project is a “first-of-its-kind” facility for what promises to be a booming industry in the future. Algae production for biofuels, biomass, chemicals and other products faces these challenges. Companies pursuing algae production could learn from previous generations of alternative energy production, says Peter Mostow, a partner with Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, a law firm that works with many clean technology and renewable energy firms.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Cultivation
Ben Gurion University, Primafuel Join on Algae Biorefinery
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Ben Gurion University of the Negev and California-based low-carbon fuel developer Primafuel are partnering on an international algae biorefinery program.
The multi-year development deal, between Primafuel and Ben Gurion University's Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory (MBL)is estimated to be worth several million dollars.
The MBL has three decade of experience in producing commercial quantities of algae for the food and nutraceutical markets. That venture includes one of the largest photobioreactors in the world.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Universiti Malaysia Sabah Students Fuel Interest In Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.A group of chemical engineering students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is suggesting algae as the next hot ingredient as a bio-fuel source.
The Engineering and Information Technology School students’ research showed algae produced about 250 times more oil per hectare of land compared to palm oil trees.
Their research was persuasive enough to win top spot in the technical presentation on bio-fuels at the National Chemical Engineers Symposium held at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) last August.
The third year students – Abeed Fatima Mohidin Batcha, Hanif Mohd Taffy Gan, Helen Chuo Sin Ee and Khoo Jia Yong – also argued that conditions in Malaysia were ideal for algae cultivation.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research
