Comments on: Algae Biodiesel Maker Updates Progress http://domesticfuel.com/2009/10/28/algae-biodiesel-maker-updates-progress/ Alternative Fuel News Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:31:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Clive Richardson http://domesticfuel.com/2009/10/28/algae-biodiesel-maker-updates-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-117154 Clive Richardson Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:42:31 +0000 http://domesticfuel.com/?p=18615#comment-117154 Engineering the commercially viable Algaculture of oil rich algae is not technically possible. There are several limiting factors that seem not to be a concern of the development companies that are engaging with this exercise. Not least the requirement for strategic location sensitivities. The driving force behind the program is a desire to create a sustainable "well" of resources similar to a fossil oil well. However; oil in the ground is already a primary product. The oil processing technologies only require to be fed this primary product in order to produce the wide range of commodities we use for energy and many other functions. With plant or Algae oil we have to incur the costs of Horticulture/Agriculture or Algaculture which are in addition to traditional costs of fossil fuel use. We also have to incur the costs associated with the breakdown of plant biomass when compared to fossil oil breakdown into commodities. The utility of derivatives is limited to lower values than that derived from fossil fuels. This also limits the commercial viability for the distribution of plant derived energy and additional products. Only at strategic locations in the sub tropical regions can one consider that drop in fuels plus alternative CHP opportunities have economic viability, when considered for decentralised energy solutions. Engineering the commercially viable Algaculture of oil rich algae is not technically possible. There are several limiting factors that seem not to be a concern of the development companies that are engaging with this exercise. Not least the requirement for strategic location sensitivities.

The driving force behind the program is a desire to create a sustainable “well” of resources similar to a fossil oil well. However; oil in the ground is already a primary product. The oil processing technologies only require to be fed this primary product in order to produce the wide range of commodities we use for energy and many other functions.

With plant or Algae oil we have to incur the costs of Horticulture/Agriculture or Algaculture which are in addition to traditional costs of fossil fuel use.

We also have to incur the costs associated with the breakdown of plant biomass when compared to fossil oil breakdown into commodities. The utility of derivatives is limited to lower values than that derived from fossil fuels. This also limits the commercial viability for the distribution of plant derived energy and additional products.

Only at strategic locations in the sub tropical regions can one consider that drop in fuels plus alternative CHP opportunities have economic viability, when considered for decentralised energy solutions.

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