First Algae Biodiesel Plant Goes Online: April 1, 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.”
- » See also: Scientists Researching How Plants Can Make Petroleum
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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.
I hope we move forward with an eco friendly energy… makes sense right? But money talks and right now the boys with the big pockets are in the oil industry. Will they keep an alternative fuel at bay so they can continue their money grubbing? We can put a man on the moon, but we don’t have an electric sports car? We have the technology, but why can’t we use it?
I think Algae Oil has a great future. Algae doesn’t effect the food chain. It reproduces itself in 24 hours. It loves CO2, which enhances production. It gives back O2 to the atmosphere.
Waste Water Plants across this land could make a big difference in producing algae oil
Seriously, every farmer in the state is growing algae in their stock tanks. The challenge is how to mass produce fuel in an efficient and cost effective manner. Let’s hear about that part…
Your article is misleading. PetroSun will only begin construction in April - not operation. There is a big difference. They are not producing oil yet.
There was a clip covering Petrosun Inc. Is it possible to get to review that clip. How & When do we get to see it. Please reply to saymrarka@gmail.com
I am interested to know complete process for the production of biofuel from ALGAE. which books should I refer or any one can suggest any other source for the production.
Iam having 500 acres of land in Rajasthan, India were I wish to go for the prodution.
Please let me know the minimum cost of the viable project.
you guyswill really save the planet
[...] NEW: First Algae Biodiesel Plant Goes Online April 1, 2008 [...]
Very interesting. What is stock exchange symbol?
[...] noted in a previous Gas 2.0 post about algae, acre-for-acre algae can produce up to 100 times the oil yield of soybeans. Additionally, the [...]