Interesting biofuel article

[SkyPup]

A monster pig poo pit or municipal waste facility would work for a little algae farm with allot of water added, but you collect the algal mass itself for the extraction of the cellular membrane phospholipid components using organic hydrocarbon solvents like hexane and benzene, similar to the oil extraction process from soybeans.....

 

[TheKid]

Here's a site that has a lot of information the algae to oil process.

From what I've read the plans are to create algae farms in areas that aren't suitable for growing conventional crops. Other options include farms near existing power generating plants. Filtering the emissions from the plant through the algae ponds reduces the NOX and CO2 pollution, while providing the food, so to speak, that the algae needs to grow.

According to some figures I saw based on the projected construction and operating costs for a 250 acre farm the price per barrel looks pretty good. Algae is supposed to be able to produce from 5000 to 20,000 gallons of oil per acre.

5000 gal per acre = $55.XX per barrel of oil
10000 gal per acre = $27.XX per barrel of oil
15000 gal per acre = $18.XX per barrel of oil
The cost of processing into biodiesel would have to be added.

 

[Chris_T]

I'm calling BS on this.

There is no way that ANY of these bio crops are going to give back 90% MORE energy than they consume TOTALLY to grow and convert to biodiesel...NO WAY!

You're absolutely right, based on conservation of mass and energy, but most of that energy is free (sunlight), so it probably doesn't figure into the calculations.

It's all a cost/benefit analysis anyway. Think of it this way: I take one soybean seed, plant it in my yard, don't water it, don't fertilize it, don't do anything besides put it in the ground and the only energy I've expended is bending over to plant it and I get a return in oil (seeds). (Not counting any energy used to get me the seed, but we have to start somewhere).

Now my total yield is pretty pathetic and I can choose to use machinery, fertilizer, irrigation, etc, BUT as soon as the yield benefits don't outstrip the costs, it's not in my best interests, but I might have to do that for scale anyway.

Keep in mind too that soy for biodiesel only has to be grown for one characteristic (oil content) vs. soy grown for animal or human consumption which needs to balance oil with other factors (protein levels, minerals, phytate, etc.)

 

[SkyPup]

The cool thing about it is that South America and China will be supplying the algae and biodiesel for much cheaper than what can be homegrown here, since the labor is so much cheaper and the pollution and stench associated with growing the algae is not such a big a problem as it would be here in the States.

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/toxicalgaeposter.pdf

 

[hilld]

Also keep in mind that South America (mainly Brazil) uses sugar cane to produce their bio fuels, much more efficient than corn for bio fuels. It is said that the yield can be up to 3-4 times as great using sugar cane vs. corn.

They are sure doing it right down in Brazil.

Derek

 

[coffeeman]

Also keep in mind that South America (mainly Brazil) uses sugar cane to produce their bio fuels, much more efficient than corn for bio fuels. It is said that the yield can be up to 3-4 times as great using sugar cane vs. corn.

They are sure doing it right down in Brazil.

Derek

Good point. If they can do a good job on this stuff, what the heck is wrong with the US. When it becomes cost effective to make this stuff I'm sure we will have folks gearing up to do what's needed. Naturally, for a profit.

How about Ford and GM with their flex fuel cars. ( I think that's what they are called.) Do they really want to waste the extra cost to make these cars? However, maybe the US automakers might not be a good example of smart business thinking?

Cheers.....Coffeeman

 

[LTEnterprises]

you know who MAINLY builds the ethanol vehicles for Brazil?....FORD.."were working on energy effecient alternatives for the future"....why are they still WORKING on it..it's here...not in the states. I would imagine that the oil companies have something to do with the delay here. call me a conspiracy theorist...but BIG BUSINESS runs this country anyway...just look at the laws and SUBSIDIES ( sp?) that we give the poor oil companies...and of course, no sunset provision was even considered