(automatically updated/inserted from The Big Biofuels Blog)
Over on Biofuel Review they have some interesting figures on the kind of yield that super algae can produce in carbon-dioxide-rich environments.
More (from The Big Biofuels Blog)...
Over on Biofuel Review they have some interesting figures on the kind of yield that super algae can produce in carbon-dioxide-rich environments.
The growth rate — an average productivity of 98 grams/meter2/day (ash free, dry weight basis) and reaching a high peak value of 174 grams/meter2/day — surpassed previous lab growth rates and exceeded all expectations going into the project.
Assuming that 60% of that weight is processable oil. That means that each square meter could generate 104g/oil day (that's about 4oz to the non metric). So it will take a goodly area of algae to make a barrel/day. The key is sunlight and surface area. I wonder if it would be energetically worth while to illuminate algae at night to keep them growing 24 hours/day? Hattip to OilgaeMore (from The Big Biofuels Blog)...