Algae+Biofuels

= Energy From Plant Life =

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 * Jim Sears**, Colorado Solix Biofuels

- biodiesel and ethanol - expensive - Sears founded Solix Biofuels in Fort Collins (CEO Douglas Henston) - the natural oils produced by the single- celled organisms can be harvested and transformed into biodiesel - the carbohydrates in the algae can be fermented into ethanol - remaining proteins used as animal grains - cleaner burning - the conditions within which algae can live are narrow, difficult to grow - problems: temperature control, invasive species, low atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide - closed "photobioreactors" trianglular compartments made from polyethylene plastic - bubble extra carbon dioxide through the system - under correct conditions, can double overnight - can be harvested every day - grows well in brackish water - 50% algae = oil - 10,000+ gallons per acre per year - second prototype plant 2007 to take advantage of carbon dioxide generated from New Belgium Brewery - target to be competitive with biodiesel ($2 per gallon) - Green Fuel Technologies Corp. in Cambridge MA is cultivating algae with highest yield (goal: 8000 gallons of biodiesel and 5000 gallons ethanol per acre) Cary Bullock = president and CEO

[] http://www.greenfuelonline.com/

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 * J. Craig Venter** - Synthetic Genomics

- Exxon Mobile teamed with Synthetic Genomics Inc. to research biofuels - 2010 opened new greenhouse at SGI headquarters in La Jolla CA - work on making biofuel from algae affordable - different "growth systems" i.e. open ponds, closed "photobioreactors" - comparing different species of algae, natural vs. engineered - varying light levels and temperatures - investigating harvesting and oil-recovery - brochure []

http://articles.cnn.com/2009-08-21/tech/eco.algaebiofuel_1_algae-exxonmobil-royal-dutch-shell?_s=PM:TECH
 * CNNTech article written by Steve Mollman**

‍‍‍//"algae, among all the alternatives, has the most potential in terms of scalability and fitting into the vast infrastructure of existing refineries and filling stations."//‍‍‍

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 * CNNTech article written by Marsha Walton**

http://www.rexresearch.com/kertz/kertz.htm
 * Glen Kertz** - Valcent Products, Vertigro System (picture on right at top of page)

- Vertigro = patented "closed vertical growth system" for algae biofuel - "commissioned the world's first commercial-scale bioreactor pilot project at test facility in El Paso, TX" - used in other products besides energy ex: food, pharmaceutical, health, beauty - biodiesel was only renewable energy source in U.S. to complete EPA's Tier I and Tier II testing under Clean Air Act as of 2000 []

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General:
http://articles.cnn.com/2008-04-11/world/eco.algae_1_algae-green-fuels-palm-oil?_s=PM:WORLD http://articles.cnn.com/2008-07-30/tech/roadtrips.algae.fuel_1_algae-biofuel-pond-scum?_s=PM:TECH http://www.oilgae.com/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/03/AR2008010303907.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbLACcUN4fQ media type="youtube" key="xbLACcUN4fQ" width="425" height="350" align="center"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9_-ZguuhBw media type="youtube" key="n9_-ZguuhBw" width="425" height="350" align="center"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MeIgaRfyD4 media type="youtube" key="1MeIgaRfyD4" width="425" height="350" align="center"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MruUfjpgFQ media type="youtube" key="6MruUfjpgFQ" width="425" height="350" align="center"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FrbMMwDccY media type="youtube" key="0FrbMMwDccY" width="425" height="350" align="center"


 * REMEMBER TO CHECK SCHOOL EMAIL FOR PROQUEST AP SCIENCE ARTICLES**

- natural source of fuel - all parts of the algae can be used - algae can use carbon dioxide from a company with high emissions
 * Pros:**

- expensive - difficult to maintain conditions for growth - lots of land
 * Cons:**