Progress of algal biofuel

Last 2 days, Jim Lane@biofuelsdigest.com gave us a comprehensevie review of the current progress of algal fuel. Source: http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2014/10/14/where-are-we-with-algae-biofuels-part-ii/

Major points:

Four major breakthroughs of NAABB brought the cost of algae biocrude oil down to $7.50 per gallon. Breakthroughs are New strain Chlorella sp. DOE1412, Improved a new open pond cultivation system, Low energy electrocoagulation (EC) harvesting technology, High-yield hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) system that combines extraction and conversion to provide high biocrude yield, resulting in an 86% cost reduction.

Department of Energy has a target of $3 per gallons of “gasoline-equivalent fuel” for advanced algal biofuels by 2030.

To close the gap, NREL propose to

1. Increasing the growth rate from 25 grams per square meter per day to 30 grams.
2. Increasing lipid content from 25% to 50%
3. Cutting harvest cost by 50%
4. Cut extraction cost by 50%
5. Sell Lipid Extracted Algae residual biomass or $500 per ton.

NAABB identified the following broad research areas:

• Reduction of water in the entire production system;
• Robust cultivation, harvesting, and extraction systems;
• Improved production strains;
• Cost-effective sourcing of CO2, water, and nutrients; and
• Improvements in industrial design and logistics.

In short, CLAW: CO2 cost/Liner cost for ponds/Ash content/Water cost and usage

The DOE’s FOA: From $7.50 to $5.00 per gallon by 2019

The CLAW areas: From $5.00 to $3.00 per gallon

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