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Which are the Best Algal Strains for Oil?

The following is a question-answer combo at the Yahoogroup Oil from Algae –

Question: It seems there are numerous designs for small scale photobioreactors and large scale outdoor systems. However, there seems to be a lack of real information on which strains are producing oil on a continuous basis. I am looking to grow algae in a tropical region, with abundant sunlight, near 5MT/yr of CO2, close to the ocean, brackish water and bitterns from an evaporative salt plant. It would seem logical to use the bitterns to produce an extreme environment so as to grow a monoculture of algae. Strains such as Dunaliella salina would ideally grow in this type of environment but alas the growth yield (50T/yr/Ha)and oil content (6-8%) is what is usually reported. Are there any other reported strains that would grow in extreme habitats(halophilic) and have reasonable oil yields? Is everyone keeping their strains to themselves? So come on share and let’s grow ’em!

Answer: (by Bobby Yates Emory) Navid reported positive results with CCMP647(a species of coccolithophorids). His test included outdoors in Perth, Aust. It is a marine species. The growth rate is high (doubling every 2 + or – .9 days). High oil (30 to 40 %, if I remember right.)I would try to put the pond as far away from the ocean and brackish standing water as you can, so you don’t get invasive species from the ocean and bird droppings.

(I think that Navid’s research pond was within 4 KM of the ocean and he reported no problems with invasive species and with diseases.)

Navid’s thesis is referenced at:
http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20050901.140745

That contains an abstract and links to the front matter of the thesis and to the complete thesis.

Bobby

Original message here

See also:

Small algae with great potential

Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature’s way again

Oilgae – Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS – Biodiesel from Algae Open Source

About Oilgae – Oilgae – Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae – among other related plants – you think “Hey! Why not oil again from algae!”