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Vertical Algae biofuel Growing
1000 times better than corn?
Jul 1, 2008 11:13 AM
Re: Vertical Algae biofuel Growing
This has potential as Algae is very plentiful.
Still though 1/10 of New Mexico 12,166.5 square miles for the United States Alone that's about the size of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Combine.
We need to reduce our consumption of energy
Still though 1/10 of New Mexico 12,166.5 square miles for the United States Alone that's about the size of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Combine.
We need to reduce our consumption of energy
By: ikonick
Re: Vertical Algae biofuel Growing
This has quite a bit of potential, but the guy was a little misleading. There's no carbon sequestration here, if the algae is grown and then destroyed. But on the other hand, there's potentially no carbon emissions either. Also, they left out an explanation of what the nutrient feeding.
Still, this looks extremely promising. It looks like a very efficient way to convert solar energy into chemical fuels.
Still, this looks extremely promising. It looks like a very efficient way to convert solar energy into chemical fuels.
By: loqi
Re: Vertical Algae biofuel Growing
I don't think nutrients are a problem, the main reaction for crating carbon sequences is the simple photosynthesis (6 CO2 + 6 H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6 O2) which is also the plants energy source. These carbon sequences are also elongated by the plant itself because it can't hold a lot of glucose without converting it into a different carbon sequence (has to do with osmosis). So the you're just using carbondioxide and water. A plant only needs very little other nutrients and these can be recycled.
By: SilenTom
Re: Vertical Algae biofuel Growing
There are other questions, too. Like, how much energy goes into pumping, rotation, etc? I don't know if this is Fleischmann and Pons' promise of cold fusion all over again or not, but I am cautiously excited.
Certainly, if nothing else, this is an incredibly efficient use of land. If you go to their website, they explain that this process can even be implemented on rooftops in urban areas.
Here's more video:
http://www.valcent.net/i/misc/HDVG/index.html
Certainly, if nothing else, this is an incredibly efficient use of land. If you go to their website, they explain that this process can even be implemented on rooftops in urban areas.
Here's more video:
http://www.valcent.net/i/misc/HDVG/index.html
By: Oh-Deeh
Re: Vertical Algae biofuel Growing
It's definitely not like the cold fusion mistake. It's hot fusion, delivered wirelessly as photons.
I have no doubt that the energy to pump this water is only a fraction of the oil they're growing. But they're likely using a DC pump an solar panel.
There's no reason why they can't just lay out their big plastic bags nearly horizontally and get all the closed-loop benefits with almost no pumping energy. By going vertical, they get less yield per watt in, but WAY more per land area. This leaves plenty of room for the pump's PV panel.
They might have a problem in the wind though.
I have no doubt that the energy to pump this water is only a fraction of the oil they're growing. But they're likely using a DC pump an solar panel.
There's no reason why they can't just lay out their big plastic bags nearly horizontally and get all the closed-loop benefits with almost no pumping energy. By going vertical, they get less yield per watt in, but WAY more per land area. This leaves plenty of room for the pump's PV panel.
They might have a problem in the wind though.
By: loqi
