U.S. chemists convert algae into biodiesel fuel

William Atkins
Wednesday, 01 April 2009 19:47

Science - Energy

Wen states that a pilot program by the UEE has been instituted to deliver almost one million gallons of algae biodiesel per year.

He foresees that up to 50 million gallons of algae biodiesel could be eventually produced each year.

Algae biodiiesel is also called algae fuel, algal fuel, algaeoleum, along with other such names.

Previous to this study, algae fuel remained too expensive to replace other environmentally friendly fuels. However, this research could change all of that and make algae a viably commercial fuel product not just in the United States but all over the world.
 
Check out the October 8, 2007 WorldWatch Institute's article "Better Than Corn? Algae Set to Beat Out Other Biofuel Feedstocks."

The article states, "The inputs for algae are simple: the single-celled organisms only need sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to grow. They can quadruple in biomass in just one day, and they help remove carbon from the air and nitrogen from wastewater, another environmental benefit."

And, "Some types of algae comprise more than 50 percent oil, and an average acre of algae grown today for pharmaceutical industries can produce 5,000 gallons (19,000 liters) of biodiesel each year."