NewNet News - US-based Aurora Biofuels develops algae technology

US-based Aurora Biofuels develops algae technology

26 Aug 2009

Algae manufacturer Aurora Biofuels has succeeded in optimising its base algae strains to double CO2 consumption and increase fuel production.

Aurora Biofuels scientists have developed a proprietary process which allows for the selection and breeding of non-transgenic algae. As a result, these algae strains can produce more than twice the amount of oil.

‘This is a game-changing development for our company, as our newly optimized algae, novel harvesting and extraction processes create a world-class, low-cost biofuel platform,’ said Bob Walsh, CEO of Aurora Biofuels. ‘There’s a lot of noise about algae lately, but it’s all talk until you prove it outdoors. This advancement, now proven for months in our pilot ponds, shows that we’ve met that rigid criteria and are now ready for the demonstration scale.’

‘This is a major breakthrough showing that one can take algae with improved productivity from the research lab to the field. What Aurora scientists have achieved is an impressive milestone on the path to large-scale commercial algae production,’ said Kris Niyogi, a member of the company’s scientific advisory board.

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Tags: algae, biofuel

One Response to “US-based Aurora Biofuels develops algae technology”

Jake the Brake says:

27 August 2009 at 12:36 pm

So, here we have another example of someone with their head stuck in their cleavage.

Outside algae growing in a few
acres of raceway may look good for an invester prospectus but in the real world it will never fly.

Here is the bitter truth. If you are at all serious about mitigating the effects of CO2 and some of the other stack gases you have to be able to handle the big and I mean BIG emitters of GHG. How about a medium size lime plant….emits close to 4 tons of CO2 per MINUTE!!! 24-7-365!! There are about 90 of these plants in the US. How many coal and gas fired generating plants are there in the US???? They really kick out the CO2. Do you know how many acres of raceways it would take for algae only working 5 or 6 hours out of 24 at peak efficiency to clean up that 8,000# of CO2/min.? More than 2,000 acres!!!!! Where are you going to find 2,000 acres close to a large CO2 emitter, that’s right, it is impossible.
Now here are some other reasons: Algae do not like
large swings in temperature.
They will not work in the dark.
They do not work well in bright light. If the cost of land is not enough to kill the deal then how about all the piping needed to move the algae
around….. oh, pipes freeze in winter….oh, pipes need to be cleaned out once in a while. etc.etc.etc.

PLEASE, think just a little bit.

Have a nice day.
Jake the Brake