Following the previous post (http://www.oilgae.com/blog/2010/09/aeration-in-a-photobioreactor.html), here is an analysis of the various aerator designs: 1. Ring or Orifice sparger The stirred tank and flat-plate photobioreactors are generally equipped with a ring sparger for aeration. Features & Benefits • Orifice or ring sparger is essentially a perforated pipe made of a perforated metal tube, a porous […]

I started yet another interesting day at office by opening the archives of newsletters and went through all the organized data stored in its annals. I came across some very useful data dealing with various aspects of aeration in a photobioreactor and felt it would be very insensitive of me not to share it with […]

The recent increase in private and public funding for the algae research underscores the growing global interest in the algae sector. Key executives of top companies keen to explore new algae commercialization opportunities and receive latest industry updates are meeting in Singapore for 3rd Algae World Asia conference on 19-20 October 2010. Press Release Singapore, […]

The 3rd Algae World Asia conference conducted by the Centre for Management Technology (CMT) in October will run on the 19th and 20th at Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore. This conference is designed to act as a catalyst to facilitate constructive exchanges among the Academic, Commercial and Investment community involved in algae sector, with agenda that […]

Most of the algae fuel companies are now shifting their focus from producing fuels to producing high-value non- fuel products . Recently, Aurora biofuels had repositioned into Aurora Algae and now I see Solix Biofuels colloborating with BASF to produce renewable chemicals. Here you go .. Some details about the collaboration of BASF with Solix […]

SouthEast Region Algae Consortium (SERAC)  which consists of a  group of scientists working on algae biofuels together with Cleveland-based Phycal LLC – the algae -based waste water treatment experts , would build a demonstration plant on property near the Inverness Wastewater Treatment plant, where water would be used to grow algae The proposed facility would […]

Unlike traditional biofuel processes that require intermediates such as sugar, algae, agricultural biomass or tallow, Joule is the first to achieve and patent a direct, single-step, continuous process for the production of hydrocarbon fuels requiring no raw material feedstocks. The Cambridge, Massachusetts business claims this sets the stage for the production of a liquid fossil […]

The Sustainable Use of Renewable Fuels (SURF) consortium which  consists of Airbus, BA, Cranfield University, Rolls-Royce, Finnair, London’s Gatwick Airport and IATA recently nnounced that several companies including Airbus and British Airways have teamed up with the UK’s Cranfield University to push forward the use of algae as an alternative fuel for the aviation industry. […]

Press Release Solution Recovery Services, an employee owned industry leader in oil separation and purification systems partnered with Touchstone Research Laboratory a privately owned, U.S. Small business with principal operations in Triadelphia, W.V. The project team has successfully secured $6.2 MM in funding from the Department of Energy to support field piloting of Algal-Biofuel technology […]

Press Release ALGENICS SAS has announced that it has signed a new cooperation contract with the ROQUETTE Group for the development of an innovative microalgae strain capable of producing high levels of a metabolite for high value industrial uses. The two-year programme is based on the use of ALGENICS’ genetic engineering platform, AlgebiosysTM, and is […]

An interesting article written by Narsi of Oilgae providing some cool ideas for the algae fuel enthusiasts who are interested in digging up the possibilities to venture into this field. An algae biofuel specialist’s job today is not exactly easy, whether she/he is in R&D, marketing or investing. So I thought, why not have a […]

Here is an article which I retrieved from the Oilgae newsletter archives. This article focuses on the importance of algae as a source of high-value end products. The Super Formula to Fight Aging – Its Name is Astaxanthin -Know more Algae are a rich and varied source of pharmacologically active natural products and nutraceuticals. While […]

I was browsing through the Oilgae newsletter archives and thought I should share this interesting article ( and a few more on various other algae topics) with the Oilgae blog readers. This article provides useful insights on the concept and types bioplastics that can be derived from algae as well as the future. The Super […]

The Cambridge, Mass.-based start-up said that it has received a patent for an engineered form of cynobacteria, or blue-green algae, which grows in water and is capable of secreting biodiesel fuel. The company claims that it can make diesel fuel directly using only sunlight and waste carbon dioxide in glass bioreactors for as little as […]

Algae Europe 2010 is the premiere event on technologies for the production and industrial applications of algae culture which will be held between 27th of October, 2010 at Fiera Milano City, Italy. The event has been designed specially for the manufacturers of technologies, plants and machinery for the production of algae, along with the companies […]

To be successful and bring in break-through ideas in this field there is a predominant requirement of scientific expertise, particularly biotech expertise. The real challenges facing the industry are scientific in nature; hence, fundamental and applied research expertise are important ingredients a start up should bring with it. This article has been adapted from the […]

This article ( also sent as a newsletter) written by Narsi Santhanam provides useful insights on the importance of diatoms and some details about the Oilgae team ‘s visit to a company called Nualgi; This Indian-based company uses diatoms for bio remediation of waste water – Interesting stuff!!! Here you go.. As you all might […]

A link for a very useful FAQ on algae-based waste water treatment prepared by Oilgae team has been given below. Know All about Algae-based Waste Water Treatment from Oilgae Guide Some of the key questions which have been answered are: 1. Which are the key industries that are already using it, and which others have […]

Narsi– the co-founder of Oilgae says – “Algae fuels are costly – so tell me something that I don’t know!” Narsi in this article ( also sent as a newsletter) has given some useful insights about the cost reduction strategies for the PBR’s. Hope you find it useful! As we all know, one of the […]

Cellulosic ethanol has been in the news for a while, and I’ll be surprised if you have not heard about it. Essentially, cellulosic ethanol refers to the ethanol derived from the cellulosic component of plants. A lot of woody parts of the plants, stems, leaves etc. – are rich in cellulose. Thus, cellulosic ethanol provides […]

This article has been adapted from the Oilgae newsletter- It gives a brief idea about the algae which can thrive in ice and extreme cold conditions with an emphasis on algae that are present in the Artic. . Cold-loving algae discovered in Arctic – A new life form of tiny, cold-loving micro-organisms involved in photosynthesis […]

In the past few months, the Oilgae team members have been asked by at least a dozen companies what we thought of having algal biomass as a substitute for coal in future. Fat chance if you are looking to microalgae. I will focus this article on microalgae and prove without much ado why it stands […]

Open ponds, typically raceway ponds in which algae are grown, require some form of mixing to maintain cells in suspension, to prevent thermal stratification, and to disperse nutrients. Hence, for a proper mixing of the ponds, paddle wheels are used. Paddlewheels consist of simple, partial depth blades and high-speed rotors. With paddlewheels providing the flow, […]

Solazyme – the south Francisco based company which follows an altogether different approach (dark fermentation- Earlier post) to make algae products have announced that  Unilever has joined its Series D Round of funding along with other strategic investors plus venture firms VantagePoint Venture Partners, Braemer Energy Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners. What will Unilever and […]

Here is a summary of the pilot stage efforts taken in the area of algae fuels. A short description of the company and their pilot stage efforts have been highlighted below: Aquatic Energy (www.aquaticenergy.com) A Los Angeles based company currently working on growing proprietary strains of “green algae” that are native to the southwestern Louisiana […]