Understanding the dire need of feedstock oils that are low priced and readily available, two Arizona alternative energy outfits are joining forces to commercialize a patented technology to produce biofuel from algae.
Diversified Energy Corporation came up with system called ‘Simage,’ which seems an excellent answer to complexities involved in replacing fossil fuels with biofuels. What makes it better than other option is its low production cost and maintenance requirements, no expensive and complex hardware and costly installation and maintenance for re-use, and the most important, very low carbon emission.
Such a multipurpose system is possible because, Simgae utilizes common agriculture and irrigation components to produce algae at a fraction of the cost involved in other available systems. This process involves unique thin walled polyethylene tubing, called Algae Biotape, laid out in parallel across a field filled with water containing the necessary nutrients and a small fraction of algae. Then the injection of carbon dioxide after roughly 24 hours gives you increased concentration of algae.
Annual production of algae, which will provide yield of 100-200 dry tons per acre at a capital cost of approximately $45k – $60k, improving the cost up to 1/2 -1/6 is not a bad idea at all. Furthermore, it offers the biofuels industry access to cheap and readily available oils and starches for the production of biodiesel, ethanol, and other renewable fuels.
Under an exclusive worldwide license, Diversified Energy will provide systems engineering and project management to commercialize the technology. What is creating hindrance is the killing cost involved to develop a series of rigid and complex frameworks and structures at larger levels which may vary anywhere from $100k’s to over $1M/acre.
Overall, it’s an incredible development. Continued testing and system optimization is expected to occur through 2008.
Image Credit: Ecosherpa
Via: ENN
