Posted on 04/30/2008 3:14:26 PM PDT by yankeedame
Written by Clayton B. Cornell
Published on March 29th, 2008
PetroSun has announced it will begin operation of its commercial algae-to-biofuels facility on April 1st, 2008.
The facility, located in Rio Hondo Texas, will produce an estimated 4.4 million gallons of algal oil and 110 million lbs. of biomass per year off a series of saltwater ponds spanning 1,100 acres.
Twenty of those acres will be reserved for the experimental production of a renewable JP8 jet-fuel. Gordon LeBlanc, Jr., CEO of PetroSun, had this to say: “Our business model has been focused on proving the commercial feasibility of the firms’ algae-to-biofuels technology during the past eighteen months. Whether we have arrived at this point in time by a superior technological approach, sheer luck or a redneck can-do attitude, the fact remains that microalgae can outperform the current feedstocks utilized for conversion to biodiesel and ethanol, yet do not impact the consumable food markets or fresh water resources.”
Microalgae have garnered considerable attention, since acre-by-acre microalgae can produce 30-100 times the oil yield of soybeans on marginal land and in brackish water. The biomass left-over from oil-pressing can either be fed to cattle as a protein supplement, or fermented into ethanol.
The big problem has been figuring out how to collect and press the algae, and in the case of open ponds, to prevent contamination by invasive species. PetroSun seems to have figured it out, and this may be the first algae biofuel plant to get off the ground.
PetroSun won’t be making fuel immediately, but plans on either building or acquiring ethanol and biodiesel production plants. They’ve conveniently located themselves in an area accessible by barge, which should make fuel distribution a snap.
An aerial view (Google maps) of the algae farms can be seen here.
This is NOT an April Fool’s joke! See the press release here .
Ping!
Interesting
Great deal!!!
It would be great to see this work out really well. Plus, from the satellite photo at the link it appears they have PLENTY of room to expand!
Oh God, No! Now we’ll face scum shortages worldwide!
Note to self: start putting pond scum into barrels.
Seriously, I find the idea interesting....thanks for posting it.
The Acme Company only sends Wylie E. Coyote defective equipment, or equipment not suited for the task.
Would you run experimental jet fuel (as mentioned in the article) in an F15 if Acme products were employed in its collection?
I didn’t think so.
Awwwwww! Look at that picture! It’s soooo cute! And soooo GREEN!
Algae can also produce hydrogen, and possibly be bio-engineered to make electricity directly.
If this really works I am 100% for it. Anything to get off terrorist and communist oil.
Wait until you get the environ wackjobs in on this one.
The algae starting fertilizer is being shipped in from Washington D.C. where they have it in abundance.
Al G. (algae) Biodiesel
I can see it now! Some of the Algae escapes and eats Rio Hondo. Starts approaching other cities. It is multiplying so fast that no one can control it. Wait, didn’t I already see this movie?
Heck, I’m sitting on a goldmine here in Maryland. With all the humidity algae grows on my deck and the siding on the house... maybe I can make a fortune in algae!!!
Sign me up. My tactical Diesel reserve will be exhausted just after the end of the Hurricane season.
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.