Biodiesel from Algae

[red]

Has anyone else been looking into this recently? Figure with the amount of veggy oil that you get from the Spirulina strain, roughly 40%, that it would make a great fuel source.

 

[DieselCash]

I would like to do this. But, how?

I have seen a ton of articles on it but, they never share how to do it. Just that it can be done.

I would try it out if I could find a detailed way on how to make it.

 

[schiker]

I saw a couple videos on it a yr or so ago. There were 2 ideas that almost looked profitable but then oil prices dropped. Its probably one of the bioproductions that is closest to a possibility it seems.

Two of the better schemes I saw....

1. A greenhouse type system with clear plastic vertical hanging growers. It increased surface area and allowed more sun exposure to the algae. The draw back was having to pump the water through the system.

2. Stack gas CO2 cleaner. It had large clear tubes radiating from a coal plant flue/stack. It pumped some CO2 from the stack through tubes with algae. The heat and concentrated CO2 boosted growth and it also cleaned some of the flue gases. Not sure of draw back except expense of building and maintaining. And further complication of an already complex system.

 

[tanman_2006]

On a large scale it should be done in an arid climate. It can done in a fish hatchery type of operation also, Big open fresh water tanks and fish feeding underneath

 

[Burning oil]

I can tell you algae that grows in swimming pools will put a sheen of oil on the water.
Might just be a process of seperating water and oil?

 

[red]

From what I've read Leroy some of the oil naturally seperates like what you've seen, majority stays in the algae. Smashing the algae, running it through a press like you would with other veggies to squeeze their oil out, seems to be the most efficient way to get all the oil. By doing this you create the oil byproduct which is a form of veggy oil, and the solid waste. I don't know how the viscosity of it compares to regular veggy oil.

All forms of algae create the oil, the spirulina strain just has the highest concentration. It's also easier to grow because of the ph levels it can survive in, kills the bacteria and everything else that can 'ruin' the algae. Nice thing is this strain is common because health nuts found out it's a 'super food'.

 

[DieselCash]

Here is a series of videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAYnZbsIhY8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWyZlo1FWBg

I have not watched them yet, they might not be worth watching.

 

[red]

Heres a thread where a few guys are growing algae, few pages worth. http://www.energeticforum.com/agriculture/7210-growing-algae.html

Keep in mind they are growing the algae for it's food qualities not for fuel, so sterilization is more important

 

[Burning oil]

I spent over 20 years killing algae. I can tell you how to grow it, its not hard.
Dig 6" deep pond with black plastic liner the bigger the better. Let the sun hit it, throw in some Miricle grow to kick start it and you will have all the Algae you want.
This method only works in summer months though (atleast outdoors for free) You Don't need airation.

 

[red]

Water movement (what they are using the air pumps for) helps speed up the growth process, lets all the algae get exposed to the sunlight instead of just the top layer.

Another video on youtube a guy is using grass clippings and leaves for the algae's food once he had the batch grown large enough for a small pond.

 

[orrum]

Hmmm me thinks goin back to horsepower as in "horse poop" is nicer than a bunch of stagnant slimy rotten fungoid slime to work with! Hey how about gasification to run diesels on? I ran my Mercedes off oak leaved in a coffe can hooked with vacuum cleaner hose to the air intake with the butterfly valve hooked to a wire, not fast but she ran and got me to town! Oops is this considered hyjacking a thread?

 

[red]

Lol don't wanna deal with slimy algae to provide fuel?