Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Low-cost process produces natural gas from algae
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ^ | May 6th, 2009 | Unknown

Posted on 05/07/2009 5:06:07 PM PDT by decimon

The method, called catalytic hydrothermal gasification, creates natural gas out of algae - more quickly, more efficiently and at higher yields than other biofuel processes. Genifuel expects the process also requires less capital investment. The license agreement moves this technology for renewable energy production a step closer to commercial reality. Battelle operates PNNL for DOE.

"Algae and other aquatic biomass hold significant promise for our country's ability to produce renewable energy domestically," said Genifuel President Jim Oyler. "At Genifuel we have developed efficient growth and harvesting techniques for the aquatic biomass. With this gasification process, we can convert the biomass to a clean fuel that is almost completely carbon-neutral."

(Excerpt) Read more at physorg.com ...


TOPICS: Agriculture; Business/Economy; Science
KEYWORDS: algae; naturalgas; opec
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-44 next last
To: decimon
"so I'd guess it's less safe than gasoline in a motor vehicle. "

Gasoline is actually quite dangerous. Difficult to contain and heavier than air. For safety, I'd go with Diesel.

21 posted on 05/07/2009 5:29:26 PM PDT by Paladin2 (Big Ears + Big Spending --> BigEarMarx, the man behind TOTUS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Prophet in the wilderness
Naaaa .... I don't want to be stuck in a Pinto car....

In a Pinto you'd burn to death. From what I've read of propane explosions, you'd never know it happened.

However, from Paladin2's posts, it looks like propane has been used safely in motor vehicles. Fine with me it it works.

22 posted on 05/07/2009 5:30:14 PM PDT by decimon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino
"with 90 or 100 miles range in the city!!"

Yeah, and that's about it, mostly city driving....
I'll stick with a Rickshaw
23 posted on 05/07/2009 5:30:25 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino

LPG is better than NG for energy density. Some cars were gas/LPG bi-fuel.


24 posted on 05/07/2009 5:30:44 PM PDT by Paladin2 (Big Ears + Big Spending --> BigEarMarx, the man behind TOTUS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: decimon

I have a question about this story. It says, “efficiently,” but what does that mean? Does that mean it produces natural gas as cheaply as a conventional gas well? What is the cost of this fuel? I agree that every drop of fuel we don’t buy from people who want to kill us is a good thing.


25 posted on 05/07/2009 5:30:52 PM PDT by La Lydia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dan(9698)
There are a lot of propane vehicles on the road right now.

Didn't know that. Didn't know there is that much propane.

26 posted on 05/07/2009 5:32:17 PM PDT by decimon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

Yeah, except when a gasoline leak occurs at a wreck, it dribbles out like water usually. Compressed gas will instantly become a high pressure leak of a gas, not a liquid.

None are THAT safe, but CNG scares a fireman more than a car with gasoline.


27 posted on 05/07/2009 5:32:34 PM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

Thats kinda how i heard it too. Lots of farmers around with Porpane powered pickups. Cant say ive heard that about CNG so often.


28 posted on 05/07/2009 5:34:27 PM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2
Ok,,,, now if any one can have me sold on the safety, and if I had the money, I would do a flex fuel... but, the biggest problem for most people is ? they don't have the money ....
Will the government help folks convert their gasoline cars to it ? or ? are we on our own ? ....... that's why gasoline will be around for a good while longer.
29 posted on 05/07/2009 5:37:47 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: La Lydia
I have a question about this story. It says, “efficiently,” but what does that mean? Does that mean it produces natural gas as cheaply as a conventional gas well?

Good question as it always comes back to economics. As with most of these new process announcements, there is a lack of specifics.

30 posted on 05/07/2009 5:37:55 PM PDT by decimon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232

Why did you sell it ? ......


31 posted on 05/07/2009 5:39:09 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: decimon
Didn't know that. Didn't know there is that much propane.

There are hundreds of tankers hauling propane all over the country.

RVs use it for heating and cooking. Some as a motor fuel.

You can fill up with propane at many truck stops and RV camps.

32 posted on 05/07/2009 5:41:31 PM PDT by Dan(9698)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino

At 3000 psi, CNG is like driving around with bombs attached to your vehicle. CNG does rise rather than hang down by the ground. CNG=!LPG. Both LPG and gasoline are kinda nasty too. Ever use gasoline as a campfire starter? Stand way back.


33 posted on 05/07/2009 5:45:20 PM PDT by Paladin2 (Big Ears + Big Spending --> BigEarMarx, the man behind TOTUS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Prophet in the wilderness
I sold it because I was not driving it. At the time we had a 97 Dodge intrepid, 2003 Buick and my 2001 F-150 crew cab. And just my wife and I as drivers.

I sold it to a black guy who had had his eyes on the Dodge truck for years. My dad was reluctant to sell it even though he never drove it any more.

The black guy was a Dodge truck enthusiast. It went to a good home. I see him driving it around town all the time.

34 posted on 05/07/2009 5:49:13 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

But you don’t understand, it’s got carbon, arrrrghhhhhhh
It’s a fossil fule....arghhhhhhh. PANIC PANIC PANIC!!!!

(sarc)


35 posted on 05/07/2009 5:49:31 PM PDT by ak267
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Dan(9698)

Around my way, propane seems to mostly be used for water heaters and gas grills.


36 posted on 05/07/2009 5:50:13 PM PDT by decimon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Prophet in the wilderness

I’ll settle for heating homes in winter and natural gas fire power plants.


37 posted on 05/07/2009 5:50:18 PM PDT by tbw2 (Freeper sci-fi - "Humanity's Edge" - on amazon.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: decimon
Around my way, propane seems to mostly be used for water heaters and gas grills.

In western areas, it is extensively used for heating houses.

A lot more than heating oil.

38 posted on 05/07/2009 6:01:58 PM PDT by Dan(9698)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232

I wonder if I got the motor from a Hover Vac and mount it on a big inner tube from a tractor trailer, and some how mount some solar panels ? would that work ? sort of like a Hover Craft ..... at least the greenie meanies would be happy.....


39 posted on 05/07/2009 6:05:00 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

I have driven a propane-powered dragster...

Pretty frickin’ mean!


40 posted on 05/07/2009 6:11:12 PM PDT by clee1 (We use 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 2 to pull a trigger. I'm lazy and I'm tired of smiling.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-44 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson