| OriginOil Plans Patents Algae to Oil Technology |
| Monday, 10 September 2007 | ||
OriginOil, a company out of Los Angeles, has just filed a patent for some technology it says will put its own spin on turning algae into oil. Quantum Fracturing, as OriginOil calls it, works at the microscopic level for its algae oil cultivation. Nutrients are "fractured" and put into growing microalgae during the growth stage to get maximum benefits without impacting the algae cells. When extraction time comes more fracturing is done to create an "ultrasound effect" which breaks the outer layer of the algae in an energy-efficient manner, allowing for quicker harvesting of oils.
What this means for oil producers, according to OriginOil, is a "cost effective, high speed manufacturing process" which produces a new source of renewable oil. If this company can truly deliver a product which producers embrace, we could be looking at a much greener (and also slimier) future.
Comments
(7)
Algae vs Solar Cells??
written by Mark , September 10, 2007
Hmm...
written by John Fill , September 12, 2007
...surely burning any kind of oil will generate greenhouse gases? This strikes me as being more of a solution to "where-we-gonna-get-the-oil?" than "how-do-we-kick-the-oil-habit?", which is the bigger question, I feel.
oil out of thin air
written by Thomas Meixner , September 24, 2007
Of course the alkgae would be getting their CO2 from the atmosphere to which it will return so net effect of production of this kind of oil would be carbon neutral. Infrastructure required of course may or may not be.
...
written by Vicki O'Brien , December 10, 2007
Are there any large producers of algae for algae oil yet? Who?
...
written by Eddie , January 10, 2008
After looking at OriginOil's webpage, it looks like they plan to use huge tanks with LED lights placed inside to stimulate the growth of the algae strain once they feed them with their Quantum Fracturing method.
I have been looking for pictures or drawings of OriginOil's algae growing method to verify their claims and sincerely hope they are on the right track. Also missing from the web-site is the amount of land, gallons of water per day or size of "incubator" tanks a facility needs to be to be able to produce a million gallons of algae oil.
...
written by Martin K. , July 09, 2008
I like the approach Valcent has taken. It's easy to understand so it's hard to screw up. Replacing all fossil fuel usage seems far fetched (though they claim it's possible) but replacing all our petroleum diesel with biodiesel seems very possible. The CO2 consumed by the algae will also mitigate and maybe eliminate the CO2 from burning biodiesel.
algae oil
written by khalfan , November 09, 2008
We refer to the above mentioned subject and we would like to inform you that we are interested to purchase algae oil on regular basis.
Therefore, please send to us your FOB price, the minimum quantity per order, and delivery time terms and condition. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation and looking forward to hearing from you soon. Best regards K.M Al Huwairib Chairman AMCO LUBRICANTS P.O.Box 2615 Dubai U.A.E Mob: 00971-506-440558 Tel: 009714-881-6115 Fax: 009714-8816465 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Website: www.amcolubricants.com |
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Would be interesting to know, however, if this process is more efficient per sq. meter at turning light into energy than existing solar cells??