Oilgae

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Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

US and German Algae Companies Form Strategic Alliance to Advance Bioreactor Systems

11 January 2007

Greenfuel Technologies Corporation, a leader in the development of algae bioreactor technology for recycling CO2 in flue gases into biofuels, has signed a strategic alliance agreement with IGV (Institut für Getreideverarbeitun g), a private industrial research institute headquartered in Potsdam, Germany. IGV is a pioneer in micro-algae research and production with more than 80 commercial technology deployments worldwide.

Under the terms of the agreement, GreenFuel and IGV will share proprietary algae bioreactor technology in an effort to accelerate the commercialization of biofuel production from recycled carbon dioxide in power plant flue gas emissions.

GreenFuel and IGV will also pursue commercial opportunities together in Europe. Once in commercial production, the GreenFuel Emissions-to-Biofuels process will allow power plants to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, generate carbon credits, and produce clean, renewable biofuels. (Earlier post.) GreenFuel estimates that its Emissions-to- Biofuels process can absorb a significant percentage (up to more than 80%) of a power plant's CO2 emissions during the daytime, varying with available sunlight. The Emissions-to- Biofuels system scrubs NOx emissions around the clock.

Unlike typical agricultural biofuel feedstocks, such as soybeans or corn which have a limited harvest window, algae multiply every hour and can be harvested every day.

Algae can also be grown on poor quality land with non-potable water, so they don't compete for land suitable for food crops. The carbon-enriched algae contain lipid oils and starches that can be converted into biodiesel and ethanol for transportation fuels. The residual protein can be used for animal feed and nutritional supplements. GreenFuel is currently involved in a number of Emissions-to- Biofuels pilot projects in the USA, Australia, Europe, and South Africa.

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

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 ofreal information on which strains are producing oil on a continuousbasis. I am looking to grow algae in a tropical region, abundantsunlight, near 5MT/yr of CO2, close to the ocean, brackish water andbitterns from an evaporative salt plant. It would seem logical to usethe bitterns to produce an extreme environment so as to grow amonoculture of algae. Strains such as Dunaliella salina would ideallygrow 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 anyother reported strains that would grow in extreme habitats(halophilic) and have reasonable oil yields? Is everyone keeping theirstrains to themselves? So come on share and let's grow 'em!

Answer: (by Bobby Yates Emory) Navid reported positive results with CCMP647. 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 report 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

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Here's an interesting post by Clint LeRoy at the Oil from Algae yahoogroup

Answers to some Algae Oil FAQs

"
Algae oil to 72 % of their weight

Ladies and Gentleman

Each day I get a phone call or two from interested people wishing to find out all the details about the Algae and the developing business of growing the algae to produce high volumes of oil. I myself find these answers out by reading everything I can and counseling with the scientist in charge. Today I give you answers to some of those lingering questions which have become quite repetitive.

1. What is the heating value of the oil when burned?
2. How do you get more fatty oils from the current algae substrates?

#1 Answer: A typical algal mass has a heating value (heat produced by combustion) of 8,000-10,000 BTU/lb, which is better than lignite; but the heating value of algal oil and lipids is 16,000 BTU/lb, which is better than anthracite coal.

#2 Answer: Under normal circumstances, algae contain mainly hydrocarbons and proteins; the fat content does not exceed 20% of the total dry weight. But it was discovered that under nutritional stress - limited nutrients or saline environment - certain micro algae will accumulate up to 72% of their weight as lipids (fatty substances).

***** So by starving them you make them grow fatter? Only in a sense: by limiting their food, you make them form a higher percentage of their body weight as fat.

While you’re working hard to visualize your wealth of building and operating these vast farms of Algae, others are developing the maximum output so you don’t have the headaches when the time comes to release the final Photo-bioreactor.

Clint LeRoy
Lead Consultant
Marg Energy inc.
www.margenergy. com

"

Original message here

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Species of Fish for Producing Nitrates for Algae

The following was a question posed at the Oil from Algae yahoogroup:

Question: How many, and what species of fish would produce the amount of Nitrates necessary to grow substantial algae for on-farm usage?

There was one interesting answer: Fish and Algae won't go together. Algae is their food.

However, Bobby Yates Emory had this to say: The fish eat algae and their waste feeds the growth of more algae. The talipa(SP?) is harvested for food and for sale.

Original message here
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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Can Chicken Manure be Used as Fertilizer for Algae Growth?

The following was a question asked at the Oil from Algae yahoogroup

Question: Is there any information about chicken manure or similar wastes that can be used as cheap fertilizer for algae? Will that be enough or does it have to be mixed with other stuff? Would like to make a low cost trial run when enough info is available.Thanks, Peter

One of the relevant answers provided is as follows:

Answer: Yes chicken manure can be used as fertilizer but not with algae as nitrates reduce the Oil production from most algae strains.

Original message here


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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Source for Purchasing Algae Cultures

I had been getting a number of emails from folks who wish to know where they can procure live algae cultures from.

The following is one company I found

Aquatic Eco ( & the algae culture category here)

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Fertiliser Sourcing for Algae Growth

While going thru the posts at Oil from Algae yahoo group, I came across the following point made about fertilizers sourcing for algae growth. As the author mentions as well, this is a topic that is not often brought up in discussions, but I would guess is as important as any other topic?

Here is the note from Peri1224 (original message here)

"
Sourcing of fertilizer and carbon inputs

There is not much discussion in this news group of where the fertilizer nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) for algae culture will come from. Commercial fertilizers can be expensive but are convenient (which is why farmers use them). This is an issue since to produce algae of any species in any quantity will require a steady supply of fertilizer nutrients. There is a large body of work on the use of sewage or wastewater to supply these nutrients in algal culture. From personal experience I can say its easy to advocate the use of this nutrient source but to actually drive to a wastewater treatment plant to fill up a tank with wastewater is neither cheap nor convenient.

"

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Virgin Earth Challenge

The Virgin Earth Challenge is a prize of $25m for whoever can demonstrate to the judges' satisfaction a commercially viable design which results in the removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases so as to contribute materially to the stability of Earth’s climate.

Judges:

1. Sir Richard Branson - Virgin Group
2. Al Gore - Former Vice President of the USA.
3. James Lovelock - An independent scientist for more than forty years as well as an Honorary Visiting Fellow of Green College, University of Oxford.
4. Tim Flannery - Is an internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer, conservationist and author lauded by David Attenborough and Redmond O'Hanlon respectively as one of the world's greatest explorers and having "... discovered more new species than Charles Darwin."
5. Dr James Hansen - Professor in Columbia University Earth Institute and also Heads the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in NYC.
6. Sir Crispin Tickell - Director of the Policy Foresight Programme at the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilization at Oxford University.

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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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

A couple of questions asked at the Oil from Algae yahoo group

1. Has anyone tried to get algae to produce more oil via diauxic growth methods on diffrent media (chu#10 ect.)
2. How easy is it to make Nile red cell stain from nile blue and H2S04? The aquatox lab where I work just acquired a photocytometer to count and seperate pathogens, and Im thinking I can use it to seperate low lipid strains from high lipid strains to artificially select a culture with high lipid ratios.

Posted by Jordan S DeVries, original message here


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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

The Pond Guy - Pond Management Made Easy

Here's an interesting company providing an interesting and useful service - The Pond Guy which focusses on pond management.

Read the introduction by the founder:
"
Seeing the need for a simple solution to pond management, I began working with my first pond at age 15. My success with this pond landed me more work servicing the ponds of friends and relatives. With this influx of work I decided it was time to expand and hire my first vice president; who had a pick-up and a driver’s license. I continued my hands-on educations of backyard ecology throughout high school. With a desire for more “formal” education, I decided to pursue my degree at Michigan State University.

While attending college, I launched The Pond Guy, Inc. It was then that I realized that the knowledge and products that I had developed, out of my parent’s basement and in the back of my pickup truck, could help thousands of pond owners seeking a simple solution to pond management. Today, The Pond Guy services more than 600 backyard ponds, installs hundreds of beautiful water gardens and offers the most extensive pond supply catalog in the nation, with customers in all 50 states.

I don’t know where the future of The Pond Guy will lead me, but I do know that my approach will be the same…My #1 commitments is to my customers. As part of my commitment, I will continue to offer simple solutions, the best products and a group of knowledgeable and friendly pond “guys” and “gals” to assist you every step of the way. I credit much of my success to the comments and suggestions that I have received from all of you; you can trust that all of us at The Pond Guy have been listening.Jason G. BlakeFounder & President

I always enjoy meeting my customers, so if your in the area, please stop in and say hello.

THE POND GUY, INC.6135 King RoadMarine City, MI 48039 - Click Here For A Map

The Pond Guy Web Site

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Found a useful web page on spirula cultivation at home. Has excellent details. Might not be exactly useful for oil production, but some details provided could be used for high-yield algal strains as well?

Grow Your Own Spirulina


This is the condensed version of a "Manual of small scale spirulina culture" written in French and distributed by Antenna Technology. This is not one more book on spirulina. Excellent ones are available*, dealing with such topics as :
- what is spirulina ?
- what is its natural habitat ?
- how did the Aztecs harvest it and eat it ?
- how was it rediscovered 30 years ago ?
- what nutrients, vitamins, minerals does it contain ?
- what are its food-grade specifications ?
- what are its numerous benefits for your health ?
- how does industry manufacture and market spirulina ?
- why is spirulina ecologically friendly ?
- why has it such a brilliant future ?
"

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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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

"Not able to get a good algal yield"

Here's an interesting message I found on the Oil from Algae yahoo group, a person from Philippines has this to say:

"I'm located in the Philippines with exeprience in algal> culturing from my shrimp/prawn hatchery operation. The 95000 liters oil yield per year per hectare that Michael Briggs and others were writing about rekindled my interest in the algae business. Have run actual outdoor tests, semi-continuous, with an Isochrysis strain, but the yield was only 23000 kg of oil/ha/year, (12 g per day/ton of water). That was off target by a factor of 4. I'm sure it's possible to tweak that a little and get a better yield or use a higher yielding strain. However, the main problem is not the culturing but the cost of the input like fertilizers, electricity, labor, overhead, etc., which are many times the value of the oil you can get out of it.

Even at 95000 liters oil yield per hectare per year the input expenses> would be several times larger than the total oil yield. So who would invest in a business like that? And I'm stuck right there. Would love to continue this project, but am looking for information about tweaking production, and most of all,> substantially lowering the input costs - Peter"

Bobby Yates Emory has this suggestion: "I think froth flotation may be the answer"

See the original message and the list of responses here

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

A High Productivity Bioreactor for Microalgae Cultivation

Found a site in which the author has put forward details of his new bioreactor design. Thought it could be useful for some of you

Key Words: micro alga, spirulina, haematococcus, astaxanthin

Brief Introduction by the author: Cyanobacterium Spirulina and green alga Haematococcus spp. are of microscopic plants, although they are biologically adaptable to a wide range of warm environments, the establishment and proliferation of themselves with high productivity depending on selective nutrients, the suitable growth temperatures, and in need of optimizing the light intensity etc. However, these essential requirements are hardly met in the open pond systems. In view of the limitations and shortcomings as low biomass productivity, unavoidable contaminations which existed insuperable for the pond culture systems, bioscientists and biotron-engineers in the last decades had developed certain forms of closed transparent photo-bioreactors for the mass production of micro-algae. Although most of them could be used to some certain degree for the experimental algal culture, yet there still existed some hindrances of operational problems and even serious growth limitations. Among these problems are primarily the oxygen build-up in the growth medium and the overheating inside the tubes by the sunrays in summer seasons.

With these considerations, the author after several years trials and improvements, had invented and manufactured a totally different photobioreactor which aimed at for the commercial production of Spirulina or Haematocuccus spp. in particular, and other photophilic micro-organisms in general. The functional advantages for this vertical glass photo-bioreactor (VGPR), in addition to its high productivity, presented mainly as that it had basically overcome those growth limitations, i.e. the overheating of the cultural medium, the high tension of the dissolved oxygen (D.O.) and the problem of algal staining on the tubular inner walls which offten existed in those previous forms.

See the site NewBioreactor for further info about the bioreactor and the author's contact details

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Algae Oil Company Wishes to Talk to Potential Bio-refineries

Found this note at the Oil from Algae yahoo group (it's an excellent group, those interested in this field, please join up!); thought I'd post it so folks could get in touch with Jonathan.

"I am planning a venture capital backed company in the field of "feedstocks from algae." One of the key ingredients that venture capital investors are looking for before funding the venture is a list of prospective customers. If you have a biodiesel or ethanol processing plant of any size at all (even home brew), please send me your name & contact information so that I can put it on the list to show my investors. If you want to see a new algae production company get started, with the backing a multi-million dollar venture capitalists, then I need your support as prospective customers.

Please ... real replies only. The Venture Capitalists will do their homework. They will want to come and visit your site to see that you are a real customer. So, do this only if you actually have processing equipment and you might be able to use algae based feedstocks, either for ethanol or biodiesel

Jonathan Gal, Founder & President New England Clean Fuels, Inc. d/b/a Texas Clean Fuels, 1015 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420, [jlg99]@[comcast.net] (remove the [] for email) ; Tel: 781-274-9630
" - End of message

Note: Those interested in talking to Jonathan, please kindly get in touch with him directly. Oilgae is not involved in this venture in any way.

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Comparative evaluation of compact photobioreactors for large-scale monoculture of microalgae

Asterio Sa´nchez Miro´n, Antonio Contreras Go´mez,
Francisco Garcý´a Camacho, Emilio Molina Grima, Yusuf Chisti *
Department of Chemical Engineering, Uni6ersity of Almerý´a, E- 04071 Almerý´a, Spain

Journal of Biotechnology, 70, (1999)

Received 27 October 1998; received in revised form 17 November 1998; accepted 22 December 1998

Abstract

Engineering analyses combined with experimental observations in horizontal tubular photobioreactors and vertical bubble columns are used to demonstrate the potential of pneumatically mixed vertical devices for large-scale outdoor culture of photosynthetic microorganisms. Whereas the horizontal tubular systems have been extensively investigated,
their scalability is limited. Horizontal tubular photobioreactors and vertical bubble column type units differ substantially in many ways, particularly with respect to the surface–to–volume ratio, the amount of gas in dispersion, the gas–liquid mass transfer characteristics, the nature of the fluid movement and the internal irradiance levels. As illustrated for eicosapentaenoic acid production from the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a realistic commercial process cannot rely on horizontal tubular photobioreactor technology. In bubble columns, presence of gas bubbles generally enhances internal irradiance when the Sun is low on the horizon. Near solar noon, the bubbles diminish the internal column irradiance relative to the ungassed state. The optimal dimensions of vertical column photobioreactors are about 0.2 m diameter and 4 m column height. Parallel east–west oriented rows of such columns located at 36.8°N latitude need an optimal inter-row spacing of about 3.5 m. In vertical columns the biomass productivity varies substantially during the year: the peak productivity during summer may be several times greater than in the winter. This seasonal variation occurs also in horizontal tubular units, but is much less pronounced. Under identical conditions, the volumetric biomass productivity in a bubble column is 60% of that in a 0.06 m diameter horizontal tubular loop, but there is substantial scope for raising this value.

Keywords : Microalgae; Photobioreactors; Scale-up; Photosynthetic culture; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Full report here (PDF)

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Microalgae: Biotechnology and Microbiology By E. W. (E. Wolfgang) Becker

Summary

By E. W. (E. Wolfgang)Becker
Published 1994Cambridge UniversityPress
301 pages
ISBN 0521350204

A state-of-the-art account of research in algal production and utilization. The book explores in detail all steps of the subject, from the preparation of stock cultures to the growth in large outdoor ponds. Dr. Becker provides a compilation of the different methods employed worldwide for the artificial cultivation of different microalgae, including recipes for culture media, description of outdoor and indoor cultivation systems, as well as harvesting and processing methods.

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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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

An investigation of the heterotrophic culture of the green algaTetraselmis

A research paper

Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue - Volume 8, Number 1 / January, 1996
DOI - 10.1007/BF02186225
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005

John G. Day1 and Alexander J. Tsavalos2
(1)
Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, Institute of Freshwater Ecology, Windermere Laboratory, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LP, U.K.
(2)
School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom St., Liverpool, L3 3AF, U.K.

Received: 6 March 1996 Accepted: 13 March 1996

Abstract

The marine PrasinophyteTetraselmis may be cultured under both mixotrophic (photoheterotrophic) and heterotrophic conditions. The growth rate was slightly lower, and pigment levels and lipid composition were radically affected on heterotrophic culture in 1 L fermenters. Total chlorophyll levels of dark grown cultures were less than 1% of those observed in mixotrophically grown cells, the chlorophylla : b ratio also decreased as did the carotenoid content. In addition, the total amounts of lipids including polyunsaturated fatty-acids were also lower in heterotrophically cultured cells: 6.4 mg g–1 (dried alga) and 0.35 mg g–1 (dried alga); as compared to 37.1 mg g–1 (dried alga) and 18.5 mg g–1 (dried alga), for cells grown in the light. However, gross morphology and final yield (>16 g l–1) were relatively unaffected. The algae produced were spray-dried and tested for their suitability as an aquaculture feed.

Key words algal biotechnology - heterotrophic culture - Tetraselmis - lipids - pigments - aquaculture

Original link and ordering info here

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!"

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Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Commercial Applications of Microalgae - a research paper

Journal of Bioscience & Bioengineering

Pauline Spolaore1)2), Claire Joannis-Cassan1), Elie Duran2) and Arsène Isambert1)
1) Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés et Matériaux, Ecole Centrale Paris2) Evaflor

(Received 22-Jul-2005)(Accepted 28-Oct-2005)

Abstract

The first use of microalgae by humans dates back 2000 years to the Chinese, who used Nostoc to survive during famine. However, microalgal biotechnology only really began to develop in the middle of the last century. Nowadays, there are numerous commercial applications of microalgae. For example, (i) microalgae can be used to enhance the nutritional value of food and animal feed owing to their chemical composition, (ii) they play a crucial role in aquaculture and (iii) they can be incorporated into cosmetics. Moreover, they are cultivated as a source of highly valuable molecules. For example, polyunsaturated fatty acid oils are added to infant formulas and nutritional supplements and pigments are important as natural dyes. Stable isotope biochemicals help in structural determination and metabolic studies. Future research should focus on the improvement of production systems and the genetic modification of strains. Microalgal products would in that way become even more diversified and economically competitive.

Key words: microalgae, carotenoids, phycobiliproteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids

Source and link to the full research paper here (PDF)

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!"

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

Biotechnology of algal biomass production: a review of systems for outdoor mass culture

Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue - Volume 5, Number 6 / December, 1993
DOI - 10.1007/BF02184638
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Daniel Chaumont1
(1)
Centre de Cadarache, Département de Physiologie Végétale et Ecosystèmes, Section d'Ecophysiologie en Conditions Contrôlées, Groupe d'Ecotechnie, Bâtiment 177, 13108 Saint Paul les Durance Cedex, France

Received: 19 July 1993 Revised: 16 August 1993 Accepted: 17 August 1993

Abstract

Microalgae are very efficient solar energy converters and they can produce a great variety of metabolites. Man has always tried to take advantage of these proporties through algal mass culture. Despite the fact that many applications for microalgae have been described in the literature, these micro-organisms are still of minor economic importance. Industrial reactors for algal culture are at present, all designed as open race-ways (shallow open ponds where culture is circulated by a paddle-wheel). Technical and biological limitations of these open systems have given rise to the development of enclosed photoreactors (made of transparent tubes, sleeves or containers and where light source may be natural or artificial). The present review surveys advances in these two technologies for cultivation of microalgae. Starting from published results, the advantages and disadvantages of open systems and closed photobioreactors are discussed. A few open systems are presented for which particularly reliable results are available. Emphasis is then put on closed systems, which have been considered as capital intensive and are justified only when a fine chemical is to be produced.

Key words microalgae - culture systems - race-ways - photobioreactors - mass culture - algal biotechnology

Original Springer Link page here

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!"