Comments on: Algae Oil Production Disadvantages & Advantages

By: A3K

A3K — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:37:06 +0000

To answer your question, that “photo” is an illustration. No such facility exists anywhere.

I’d suggest anyone excited by this subject test all the claims made by the companies hyping this technology.

As to the claims about “genetically modified algae”, the only way to keep any system using any specific type of algae, let alone a GMO, as a mono-culture is to use an enclosed photobioreactor. Fact is, nobody is seriously proposing to use a photobioreactor because the capital and maintenance expenses do not justify the cost.

So the more likely solution is an open pond or a “race track design” as is illustrated in the photo above. Both of these are subject to invasion by different species, so GMO or otherwise, there’s no way to guarantee that what you’re growing is a high-oil producing strain. Also, the growth rates for an open system will be much lower because algae have a cycle of growth that is enhanced by being exposed to light and then shadow. A bubbling bioreactor allows you to design that in, but open ponds or race tracks don’t mix much without energy input.

Be wary of every claim made by algae biofuel hypers. You’ll find a lot of blog articles and even some news articles on the subject. But nowhere will you find an operational system and nowhere will you find cost figures. But if you’re excited about this, start by reading the final report of the aquatic species program and go from there. It’s easy enough to find that I won’t link to it as a test for how interested you actually are…

By: amber

amber — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:20:38 +0000

hey,i luv your web site,u should have more pictures though.

By: john

john — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:14:49 +0000

thanks so much for all the information your reall helping me out with some school research, but dont worry im not pladurizing and im giving full credit to you
thanks

By: David Bennett

David Bennett — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:57:05 +0000

The very first alarm that went off was the term “genetically modified algae.” Perhaps many of those that have commented here have no clue about most of the food that they consume (plant based) are genetically modified organisms (GMO) or the meat is produced using genetically modified crops for feed. The point I am making here is that GMO plants are literally wiping out heirloom varieties of many crops and that we are rapidly moving towards what is referred to as monoculture based agriculture. What happens when an organism attacks these plants? They are wiped out and there aren’t any of the original species left that may be resistant to whatever organism is killing them off. The Irish Potato famine comes to mind which wasn’t isolated in Ireland but all over Europe. What happens if the “bioengineered” algae get out of control? Genetically altering plants that are necessary for our survival is taken far too lightly by most people. Cheap food that all looks the same is what “we” have become used to and cheap oil has driven the economies of many countries but those days are over. For those that mentioned corn as an oil source mistated what corn is used for in fuel production which is ethanol. Ethanol production for fuel is incredibly wastful since it use an inordinate amount of energy to produce plus a ridiculously huge amount of water. Water that we need for drinking not running our cars. The mindset must change. Global warming is a reality that we really know little about when it comes to the consequences involved which may be our very survival as a species. Too many think about how green alternative energy is but speaking of internal combustion engines the carbon produced is a big part of the greenhouse effect that is endangering our survival. Yes I drive a car to get back and forth to work and to the grocery store. Any other driving is for necessities such as visiting my doctor when I have an appointment. Other than that and a once a year trek to see my aging sister that is all. I used to drive much more but these days I have changed my driving habits and incidentally I only buy organic foods that are certified by a trustworthy certifying agency. If this algae oil stops the destruction of the rain forests so that oil palms can be planted then I am all for it with the caveat that the genetically altered algae be kept under very stringent controls. For a little history Ferdinand Diesel invented the diesel engine to run on straight vegetable oil and it was the oil companies that developed a product from petroleum that would work in his engine design. Ferdinand wanted to produce an engine that farmers could use and grow their own fuel. Just plain vegetable oil not bio-diesel.
I guess that’s all I have to say for now except a parting thought…..Think about it!

By: Justin Sousa

Justin Sousa — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:03:13 +0000

this is soo cool

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:10:21 +0000

Sorry L, I don’t know where that picture is of. Maybe if you did a quick Google image search for “algae oil production”, you will find the source where I may have got this from.

Chanchal, you would be best off talking to guys who actually make the stuff in practice. Visit Oilgae.com andtalk to the people on the forums.

By: chanchal mehra

chanchal mehra — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:48:29 +0000

can anyone of you ,please send me some very specific and striking facts on this topic, i am making a business plan in this, and i hope you can contribute to this cause of mine. i am a MBA student at pune( India). you can mail me the relevent information at mehrachanchal@gmail.com,yahoo.com.
thanks

By: L

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:08:25 +0000

May I know where the top picture was taken?

By: Alternative Fuels to Petrol / Gasoline | Energy Rant

Alternative Fuels to Petrol / Gasoline | Energy Rant — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:47:53 +0000

[...] Biodiesel is a word used to describe other oils, such as vegetable oil, that can be used to run diesel engines. Older diesel engines may be able to use these alternative fuels without alteration but, in newer-model diesel cars, use of biodiesel requires a modification kit and voids the warranty. There are plenty of places to learn the benefits of biodiesels and also algae oil. [...]

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:44:45 +0000

I really hope that the algae diesel producers aren’t backed by big oil, because that still wouldn’t solve much of the problem, but i have faith in this technology.