Algae are some of the fastest growing plants in the world. Oil is Almost 50 percent of algae weight. That oil lipis can be used to make biodiesel fuel for all kinds of vehicles. Algae fuel, also called algal fuel or Рѕilgae is member of the third generation biofuels.

Here I am listing the most obvious advantages of biofuels production from algae:

1. Compared to other biofuels most of them made from crops – algae is growing much faster and contains much more energy per unit of weight.
2. Algae produces 30-100 times more oil per acre than corn and soybeans
3. Algae biofuel contains NO sulfur
4. MicroAlgae* biofuel is non-toxic
5. MicroAlgae biofuel is highly biodegradable
6. Existing engines can use MicroAlgae biofuel without modification
7. MicroAlgae biofuel can be mixed with conventional petroleum at any ratio. As a result, this biofuel can use existing distribution infrastructure.
8. Placing algae plants near carbon producing facilities like regular, power plants, or manufacturing plants could sequester the CO2 they create and use those emissions to help grow the algae. Algae actually need the C02 for the process of photosynthesis. A bioreactor built in the right way can have the added benefit of preventing carbon dioxide emissions, nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide, from entering the atmosphere.

(*when talking about biofuels "algae" is a synonym of "MicroAlgae")

Plant physiologist Glen Kertz believes algae can some day be competitive as a source for biofuel.

Currently most of the research for finding an efficient algal-oil production is done in the private sector. Hopefully this kind of biofuel production will become an effective method by which to produce enough automotive fuel to replace current world gasoline usage.

Additional information:

Algae fuel

Algae: ‘The ultimate in renewable energy’

Algae: ‘Power Plant of the Future?’

Popularity: 6%

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8 Responses to “Algae: the Future of Biofuels? Advantages of Algae Biofuel”

1. Simmons says:

   April 8, 2008 at 2:21 am

   Hopefully some more relevant info here: http://thoughtsonglobalwarming.blogspot.com/2008/02/algae-energy-that-other-biofuel.html
2. Vanessa says:

   April 15, 2008 at 11:46 am

   Though research into algae oil as a source for biodiesel is not new, the current oil crises and fast depleting fossil oil reserves have made it more imperative for organizations and countries to invest more time and efforts into research on finding suitable alternatives.
   Though critics worry about the availability of CO2 that is essential for starting the process and the other negative impact of production, preliminary research has proved that algae could be the perfect alternative for the future.
   By the way, you might want to have a look at the resources we provide for the latest in Bio-Fuels @ our Future of Engineering Blog
3. Khorey(18) says:

   May 7, 2008 at 6:53 pm

   How long do you think it will till it is mass produced & how much. Could you send me updates on your findings.
4. admin says:

   May 7, 2008 at 10:00 pm

   Khorey, Thank you for your interest in biofuel production from algae. I will make further research on this so you can check out this site and this post in particular for updates.
5. manish says:

   June 4, 2008 at 3:46 am

   where is this biofuel being applied? Is biofuel from algae only under research or this has been started to apply in daily life? plz can you give some examples where this biofuel are currently being produced commercially.
6. admin says:

   June 4, 2008 at 7:12 am

   Read more here http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/04/01/algae.oil/index.html
7. manish says:

   June 7, 2008 at 6:45 am

   plz can you tell me any other way of extraction of lipid in microalgae other than drying and pressing oil from it.
8. Handa says:

   March 5, 2010 at 8:16 pm

   Algae based biofuel is the perfect solution to save mother earth.We all must use Algae based fuels as it is the drop in solution to our environmenta issues .