Researchers Pooh-Pooh Algae-Based Biofuel 238
Julie188 writes "Researchers from the University of Virginia have found that current algae biofuel production methods consume more energy, have higher greenhouse gas emissions and use more water than other biofuel sources, such as switchgrass, canola and corn. The researchers suggest these problems can be overcome by situating algae production ponds behind wastewater treatment facilities to capture phosphorous and nitrogen — essential algae nutrients that otherwise need to come from petroleum."
Re:Land values (Score:5, Interesting)
Pond vs Bioreactor (Score:5, Interesting)
The article seems to be focusing on pond based algae biofuels as opposed to the bioreactor based ones that have been getting recent media attention.
They do mention the bioreactor based algae biofuels, but claim that the photo bioreactors are unlikely to scale efficiently and that unlined ponds are the most reasonable configuration. Of course, the paper they are using for this claim dates back to 1996. They really need to update their economic analysis reference.
Re:One other reason, Algae is more valuable! (Score:5, Interesting)
Actually .. there are both yeasts and algae that literally -output- diesel as a byproduct of their metabolic processes. The researchers in this article focused on the conversion of algae to biofuels using heat and industrial processes, but this is not the technique currently in favor amongst the algae biofuel startups. Most have strains of yeasts (and algae) that were discovered around the world that have low yields of diesel fuel byproduct, and are working via rapid natural selection and genetic engineering techniques to increase the yield to commercially viable levels.
So, you get the valuable algae .. AND .. you get the diesel byproducts. It costs sunlight, and fertilizer plus some post processing and captures more carbon than is emitted by burning the fuel. Sounds pretty good to me.
Re:Energy is conserved by law of physics (Score:3, Interesting)
Why not? It emits one hell of a lot less radiation and other pollution than a coal-fired one does.
Do your homework before you consign everyone to freezing in the dark.
Agree re Biofilm and Switchgrass (Score:2, Interesting)
At the UW in Seattle we've had a number of patents (available via UW Tech) for biofuel from switchgrass, as well as biofilm approaches.
The algae methods have proven less promising, unless you're looking for specific oils that are otherwise derived from petroleum distillation.
Phosphorous and NItrogen... (Score:3, Interesting)
... do NOT come from petroleum.
Re:One other reason, Algae is more valuable! (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Energy is conserved by law of physics (Score:2, Interesting)
I'm so domestic.