REG Able to Produce Algae-Biodiesel on Commercial Scale
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group has announced it has the technology to produce biodiesel from algae on a commercial scale.
This article from Biodiesel Magazine says while the biodiesel maker isn’t producing algae itself, it is providing the crucial elusive step for some companies that are producing the slimy feedstock:
REG has adapted it multi-feedstock technology to refine oil from a variety of algae strains and produce biodiesel exceeding ASTM standards. The results indicate the process can be commercialized when sufficient quantities of algae oil become available. At this time, REG is working with algae companies to develop their process. “We have worked with a variety of algae companies that we think will become producers,” said Daniel Oh, chief operating officer of REG. “We can work with algae companies who are trying to define what they are trying to do from a strain selection perspective to the smartest way to scale up to a commercial scale.”
REG officials believe companies will be able to provide them with algae oil on a commercial scale in the next three to five years.
1 Comment »
Steve Stout
This is a ridiculous announcement. Virtually all biodiesel production methods can make biodiesel from algae oil. It is no different than making biodiesel from soy oil. There is little difference in the oil between algae strains, so I’m surprised they even mention this.
The current issues with making fuel from algae include growing the algae at a commercial scale and extracting the oil from the algae. Supercritical processing looks like the best extraction method right now, but no one has figured out how to grow algae in volume.
This “breakthrough” is just “marketechture,” not real science.
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