Biodiesel from Algae: Reading List

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Hiya Jim, welcome to BDN.

jimmiller5417:
   We are a small group of highly energized professionals ...  Included in our talent mix are mechanical engineers, an agricultural engineer, a computer scientist, a lawyer, airline owners and an biodiesel plant design-and-build specialist. 
  I notice that you dont have a botanist in the mix. The reason I notice this is because you say the following '
jimmiller5417:
  We know that Chlorella divides 2.5 times per hour.
' which is obviously untrue.

Im curious, do you'll have a operational plant? Even prototype? Or are you only selling machines designed for algae?  

flectere si nequeo superos, Achaeronta movebo! -Virgil

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 Mistaken identity.

 

Toward freedom, Bobby
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Picky, picky Froggy. Jim obviously meant every day - 2.5 times a day, not every hour.

What I picked up on though was another thing Jim said - he said they were using an 8 day growth to harvest system. If the algae doubles 2.5 times a day wouldn't you be harvesting it at least once a day if not 2.5 times a day?

Jim, welcome to the forum. Was talking to Richard Watson by email last Friday and he suggested I get in touch with you and here you are. Must be a sign.

Look for my pm.

Slippery Small steps taken one at a time.
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Slippery:

Picky, picky Froggy. Jim obviously meant every day - 2.5 times a day, not every hour.  

Slippery, isnt it obvious to you that Jim's statement isnt just a conversation but a PR output? I would forgive someone if they made a slip but this is likely not a slip but a sales technique.

Slippery:
  What I picked up on though was another thing Jim said - he said they were using an 8 day growth to harvest system. If the algae doubles 2.5 times a day wouldn't you be harvesting it at least once a day if not 2.5 times a day?
If I seed my pond with 1lb of daughter cells on day one and it 2.5x a day... I will end up with 1526lbs of daughter cells in 8 days. IMO, this is a logical way of considering growing algae, bulk collection once its 'full'. Tho... I think 2.5x multiply is completely bunk... which is why they need a botanist on staff.

Just a comment, 1lb of seed x 2.5x per hr = ~ 60000lbs a day.

By the way... the crazy #'s tells me that they dont have a prototype up... that these are just engineers. Not that I have anything against engineers but a typical saying in engineering is 'junk # in/junk # out'.

 

flectere si nequeo superos, Achaeronta movebo! -Virgil

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I also am new to this forum.  I am interested on an individual scale.  To me, a distributed method energy solution makes sense.  Allow(regulation, laws) enable each individual and/or entity utilize its own best local solution.  Wind, battery, solar, geothermal and etc. used on the samllest to largest entity scale would allow/provide for necessary use of fossil fuels for entities that should not be restricted, i.e the military.

For me, the individual, I desire to operate diesel vehicles on biodiesel( home and rec vehicles).  The problem, I am not allowed to obtain WVO from my local market due to the unintended effect of local regulations.  All restuarants must have contracts for the removal of waste oil,  commercial companies have locked up ALL sources and on this very forum I find noone able to obtain WVO in Orlando Florida since 2006!  Plus the commercial companies sell the oil to Pet food companies.  Great solution for the energy crisis *#$!@  Now I am moving to the algea solution.  Can I buy property with a lake etc that will produce algea to make ONE family energy neutral?

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M,

 

The lake would grow wild algae, which will probably have almost no oil

You will need to get into the science a little more.

Toward freedom, Bobby
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Hi Matt n Everyone into Biodiesel from Algae

Thanks for the list of readings for algae biodielse. but a practical alternative is  to just sit through a seminar to give you a better understanding of the subject from the very entrepreneurs who already have started their own algae to biodiesel projects like OriginOil, AlgaeLink, Holcim ltd, Algae Chem Sdn Bhd etc. Algae World Summit will be the first conference in Southeast Asia to caputre interest in this region which is dependant on the depleting fossil fuels. Biodiesel from palm is a big thing but based on our research, the palm oil plantation companies are looking into alternative feedstocks concurrent with palm oil for biodiesel and the best solution as yet is Algae. Hence this conference will be a techno-commercial focus on the potential of algae as alternative energy resource. The westerners have the technology and this region is willing to take it on. It will be a unique technology seller and technology buyer platform, a meeting of investors, real case studies of laboratory to commercialisation, evaluation of various production and propagation methodologies and harvesting , latest R&D in cultivation, photosynthesis, extraction and lipid upgrading, market potential of algae-based products.

Just would like to share with you this course on algae that is worth attending.

biobrain can be reached at black_balaclava@hotmail.com

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Hello everyone,

I am a biotechnologist from Malaysia, currently doing my Masters in biodiesel from Microalgae. I have chosen a range of marine and freshwater Chlorella sp. with some Chlorococcum sp. and also Botryococcus braunii and Chlorella protothecoides. I am growing them in 250 ml flasks with 6 replicates. The growth is monitored by daily OD620 measurements and cell counts. My first batch of extraction was not successful.

I have several questions which I would love someone to answer:

1. is there any other way to monitor growth besides cell count, OD and dry weight?

2. How can I modify the traditional Bold's Basal Medium to enhance my algal growth?

3. Which group of microalgae should I focus on? Marine/Freshwater?

4. I know that Bb is a slow growing algae, besides using 3N BBM is there any other way to accelerate the growth?

5. how much oil should I expect to get out of these species?

6. is there and alternative method to the Bligh & Dyer (1959) method for lipid extraction?

 

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate your help.

 

 

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Mitra,

This is a thread for listing books that people should read.   Why not repost your question on a more appropiate thread or start your own

Toward freedom, Bobby
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OopS! Sorry, my bad.

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Dear all,

 

Iam a Masters' student, My research is entirely in algae biodiesel.I have been culturing algae in bioreactors and photobioreactors using animal waste:Guess what!This amazing mirobes were able to give biodiesel within less than 200 hours, which i used transesterification to make biodiesel within 25 minutes.Absolutely the magical mechanics of algae can energy balnce in the world.

The use of algae biodiesel as jet fuels, all properties of the fuel exceed ASTM AND European EN standards.It is the only promising fuel source.

 

During my research, I am using animal decomposed animal feces, and glycerol by product from transesterification for healthy algae growth.Looks promising and brilliant.

Bioethanol and biodiesel simultaneous production is what iam doing feeding carbon dioxide, the results are extending the horizon for better fuel sourcing.

 

If any organisation or companies wants to develop, i really would like to work together for this development.

Contact me on drexgene@yahoo.com or 0086 13771426219

Gene Drekeke Iyovo

School of Biotechnology,Jiangnan University,PRC

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Hi mitra,

 

Ok you should contact me, we can exchange some information in regard to the questions you posted on this site.

I am in school of biotechnology, chinese top school in fermentation engineering, oh i come form Papaua New Guinea, my research is also on microalgae biodiesel.

 

Hear from You soon!

 

Gene Drekeke Iyovo,PRC

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Hi I’m a U.S. patent holder  num 6966942  Date 2005 “process for purifying exhaust gases by employing a bubble generator.  I might have called it a bioreactor but it’s a little more broad of a process than that.  Thing is, I’ve been doing allot of patent research and from what I can tell I’m the only person that has a patent on the process of bubbling exhaust gas through algae.  It is apparent to me that it is pretty much impossible to run an algae bioreactor on a large scale without creating a large amount of bubbles, hence the natural surfactant. There are many pending patents but none issued that I can see that is effective.  Can somebody correct me if I’m wrong?  P.s.  my patent is up for licensing 

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 I doubt your patent can stand due dillegance ,bubbling gases through liquids has been common in the industrial sector for time immemorial 

 there is prior art in use by many companies before your patent date thier usage constitutes a common law patent  and they have established precedent.

iF YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT CONGRATULATIONS.

but you're going to go broke fighting the big guys they will tie you up in court for ever do you really think that your patent will hold up in court?

Ive had patents and copyrights ripped off ..all they have to do is a minor change  or get the right judge. and jury..

 dont get me wrong ,im on your side of the issue 

 but you're going to go through a world of hassle facing a  possible class action suit from major companies now mind you I havent read the language of your patent. you may be a total genius and have it all locked up. if you can get away with it good for you.. gee I think ill go and patent the wheel real quick

Marc

Marc Orion Cardoso www.ecogenicsresearchcenter.org
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Thanks for your thoughts.  Does anyone know of a case of a company pumping actual exhaust gas through a bioreactor prior to feb 2003?  Cause that’s when my patent was filed.  Record of conception dating back to 2001.  Another thought, the potential company that is representing my patent would probably make enough on damages to compensate for the potential “years in court” which could transpire

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Posts 1,410

We have been swamped with requests for instructions on how to culture algae from people who although they are enthusiastic and interested, have very liittle experience or knowledge when it comes to culturing algae.

About ten years ago I wrote a mini-manual  entitled " How to Grow  Your Own Algae, for Beginners."

 I have decided to offer it once again because I realise that not all of you who are interested in experimenting with algae  will need all the information that our larger more detailed training manual which is geared to the individuals or companies wishing to get into the business of growing algae or making biofuels from algae need.

 This manual teaches

 how to set up a small algae culture lab,

and all the aspects associated with growing algae

 it explains the  principals of what it takes to grow algae and why it should be grown

it details all the  necessary equipment needed to culture algae in an affordable manner

it describes what it takes to start up a culture lab. nutrients, lighting, equipment, water

and care and feeding your pet algae

harvesting the algae

 and a glossary

this manual was published  and copyrighted  in 1996 

and received an approval code by one of the largest algae production and marketing companies in the united states

we offer this mini manual in the spirit of sharing knowledge to the general public that may be interested about algae and how to grow it at a very affordable price.

this manual also comes with a 50 ml tube of one of our easy to grow algae and enough nutrient to get the culture started.full instructions and a materials list of materials needed to set up the culture lab.

anyone interested may contact us via  E-Mail at ecogenics3@aol.com

 this product is so new its not listed on our website yet

 so email us at the above addy for more details

marc

 

Marc Orion Cardoso www.ecogenicsresearchcenter.org
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romur1 replied on 11-08-2008 05:58 PM

The problem with open water farming is the lack of control over the species of algae you want to grow. Some have high oil content, others almost none. 

David Sieg has written the definitive book on small scale production. He teaches at the University of Technology Vietnam, and the University of Technology Thailand. His book grew from the development of small scale algae bio-reactors for rural communities in SE Asia.

Click on my user name if you would like more info.

 

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Posts 33

Sounds great, thank you!

I am sending an email. I would love to do business with you.

My plans will be to grow as much algae as I can in the spring, summer, fall. I only have pavement to work with, and my system must be mobile so I can roll in and out of my warehouse. My plans are based on a type of heavy steel carts that can carry four large tubes on an angle to collect sunlight. My parking lot is large and can hold about 100 carts, thousands of cars and truck drive by my lot daily, the amount of CO2 must be huge, I plan to have air pumps mounted on these carts to pump the air/CO2 into the tubes.

What I will need to know is what type of algae will work for this system, my plans are for alage oil to produce biodiesel. What to care for the algae, food, water, etc ?

We will work on building all the carts all winter, any ideas where I can purchase large plastic tubes, about 8' wide by 6' long?

Biodiesel Racing 220 MPH!

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Romur,

If you are more than 5 miles form the ocean, growing a marine species will prevent contamination.  Navid grew CCMP647 for 13 months with no problem.  Earthwise grows in open ponds - largest farm in the USA  (high PH is their "secret").  People in OZ calim they have larger ponds with a marine species.

I assume that a fresh water species would work in a marine environment.

Toward freedom, Bobby
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