90-95% Cost Reduction in Algae Production Claimed by Solix Biofuels
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 11.24.08
image: Solix
Though the first phase of the Solix Biofuels facility outside of Durango, Colorado won’t be up and running for another 12-18 months, the Fort Collins-based company is wasting no time in touting the benefits of its technique for turning algae into biofuel. According to Solix CEO Doug Henston, Solix will be able to cut the cost of growing algae by 90-95%. (Greentech Media) Here’s how they’ll do it:
Different Shaped Bioreactor Allows Passive CO2 Circulation
The key is in Solix’s bioreactors, which because of their design allows the CO2 injected into them to “essentially enter and swirl inside the tank in a relatively passive manner”. This saves money compared to other production techniques in which more active circulation is used.
The shape of the bioreactor also plays a part; Solix believes that its large flat shape can increase the amount of light absorbed by the algae. “Productivity is directly related to photons. We want to capture as many photons as possible.”
Solix’s biofuel facility will be built in two stages on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, with a final size of 10 acres.
More about Solix and the competing methods of algae production: Greentech Media
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Very interesting piece...what I find myself asking though is this: Would it be possible to combine this biofuel production with improving water quality?
I work on raising awareness about watershed issues in a lake basin. One part of the lake is experiencing intense algal blooms due to phosphorus loading. Wouldn't it be wonderful if by somehow harvesting or using the algal we could clean the lake and create biofuel for the community.
Is this possible?
That could be done, but how would you propose getting the algae out of the lake and making biofuel out of it at an economical price? Without destroying all the lake inhabitants. That means flocculation is out, and so is using a centrifuge. About $700,000 times five for enough centrifuges to harvest a lake. In which you'd probably get about $1,000 worth of oil.
And so what is Solix's plan for profitability? I can't fathom any scenerio using their system that would allow biofuel to be made at a cost less than $20 a gallon.
Biofuel from agae is possible, but not if you are using a bioreactor. Sorry. Too high cost.
As for the lake problem, algae could solve it. Number one, identify what farms are dumping phosphate loaded waste water into local streams and convince them to adopt an algae strategy for dealing with their nutrient loaded water.
Really, all farms should be "flat leveled" to prevent water runoff and nutrient discharge into local streams, lakes..etc. Or runoff collected according to certain guidelines.
Actually, your lake is polluted because somebody out there is skirting the law and getting around environmental policy. Find out who they are and fine them. Some times technology isn't always the solution, just good old fashion vigilance.