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Algal Oil Yields

Microalgae, like higher plants, produce storage Lipids in the form of triacyglycerols (TAGs). Comparatively algae produce more oil than any other oilseeds which are currently in use. Many microalgal species can be induced to accumulate substantial quantities of lipids, often greater than 60% of their biomass. Comparison of average oil yields from algae with that from other oilseeds The table below presents indicative oil yields from various oilseeds and algae. Please note that there are significant variations in yields even within an individual oilseed depending on where it is grown, the specific variety/grade of the plant etc. Similarly, for algae there are significant variations between oil yields from different strains of algae. The data presented below are indicative in nature, primarily to highlight the order-of-magnitude differences present in the oil yields from algae when compared with other oilseeds. (See also: Vegetable Oils Yields & Characteristics from Journey to Forever) Yields ( Gallons of oil per acre per year ) Corn 18

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Soybeans Safflower Sunflower Rapeseed Oil Palm Micro Algae

48 83 102 127 635 5000-15000

Source: http://oakhavenpc.org/cultivating_algae.htm Oil content of few microalgal species: Microalgal species Ankistrodesmus TR-87 Botryococcus braunii Chlorella sp. Chlorella protothecoides (autotrophic/ heterothrophic) Cyclotella DI- 35 Dunaliella tertiolecta Hantzschia DI-160 Nannochloris Nannochloropsis Nitzschia TR-114 Phaeodactylum tricornutum Scenedesmus TR-84 Stichococcus Tetraselmis suecica Thalassiosira pseudonana Crpthecodinium cohnii Neochloris oleoabundans Schiochytrium Oil content(% dw) 28-40 29-75 29 15-55 42 36-42 66 31(6-63) 46(31-68) 28-50 31 45 33(9-59) 15-32 (21-31) 20 35-54 50-77

The key question in everyones mind is: which is the best species of algae for biodiesel? The decadeslong research undertaken by NREL of USA called the Aquatic Species Program (see a copy of the Aquatic Species Program Research notes here, but please remembers it is a large PDF file!) suggested few high-oil-containing algae strains. The strains of Algae most favoured by the NREL researchers were Chlorophyceae (green algae). Green algae tend to produce starch, rather than lipids. Green algae have very high growth rates at

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30oC. The other algae favoured by NREL researchers are diatoms. However, the Diatoms need silicon in the water to grow, whereas green algae require nitrogen to grow. The lipid and fatty acid contents of Microalgae vary in accordance with culture conditions. Microalgae are known to accumulate more lipids in nutrient deficient conditions. Researchers identified the most dramatic increases in the lipid content of the cultures during N-deficient conditions. Biochemical studies have also suggested that acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), a biotincontaining enzyme that catalyzes an early step in fatty acid biosynthesis, may be involved in the control of this lipid accumulation process. Therefore, it may be possible to enhance lipid production rates by increasing the activity of this enzyme via genetic engineering. Theoretical maximum yields of few microalgae in open ponds: Species Marine Nannochloropsis Spirulina plantesis Dunaliella salina Scenedesmus species Ankistrodesmus Haematococcus pluvialis Yield (in g/m2/day) 20 (~ 30% lipids) 10.3 12.0 13.4 18 3.8

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Research experiments are however carried out to determine exactly how promising algae biofuel production can be by tweaking the inputs of carbon dioxide and organic matter to increase algae oil yields. Read more: http://www.oilgae.com/algae/oil/biod/res/res.html
Related Links: Photobioreactors: Design Considerations for Sustainable High-Yield Algal Oil Production A Breakthrough Technology to Transform Algae into Oil Theoretical Maximum Algal Oil Production The Potential of Microalgae Isolated from Wastewater Treatment Plants to Be Used A Feedstock for Biodiesel Production

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Biodiesel: Algae as a Renewable Source for Liquid Fuel

Have Questions about algae fuels? Ask the experts @ the Oilgae Club. Join Now, It's Free! Related Blog Posts Algae Fuel Research by Appalachian State University students OriginOils Single Step Algae Oil Extraction Process Solazyme Differs from its Competitors for its Algae Strains Rodney Andrews Said Fuel From Algae Costs $18 to $30 per gallon AXI develop Algae Strains for Biofuel Production Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) Researcher Explores Algae OriginOil Lab with Two Test Batches of Nannochloropsis Algae Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur, India is working on fresh water algae as source for bio-diesel Scripps Institution of Oceanography see algae as a green bullet Dunaliella & Spirulina Algae in Raceway Ponds Spirulina Algae in a Raceway Pond with Paddle Wheels - A nice picture Marine Nanoplankton to Methane & Oil Using Emiliania huxleyi Jerry Brand - U of Texas Algae Culture Collection Director Hawaii has four bad guy algae Arizona State University, Univ of Virginia Team Up for Algae Fuel, Get $3M AXI, LLC - Allied Minds Partners with Univ of Washington for Algae Biofuels Algal Oil Project Awarded Western Region Sun Grant 2007 Award Algae on the Edge Which are the Best Algal Strains for Oil? Source for Purchasing Algae Cultures The Culture Collection of Algae at Indiana University Phycotechnology - How Microbial Geneticists Might Help SERI Microalgae culture collection, 1986-1987 A Gooey Picture of Algae Biodiesel from Scenedesmus Obliquus Algae Chemical Composition of Tropical Australian Marine Macroalgae CCMP647 Marine Phytoplankton

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Events
5th International Algae Congress Microalgae and Aquatic Biomass Glossary Algae World Australia Mass Production of Algae for Biofuels & Bioproducts Clean Fuels Conclave 2011 A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O The 19th European Biomass Conference and |P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z Exhibition 4th Congress of the International Society for More Applied Phycology see more

List of Research Articles List of Patents

List of Research Articles

Aquatic Plant Growth Response to Very High Co2 Concentrations Services of Algae to the Environment Analysis of Microalgae Ponds for Conversion of CO2 to Biomass Chemical Composition of Tropical Australian Marine Macroalgae Treatment of Dairy Manure Using Benthic Algae More

List of Patents
Method of Cultivating Algae and a Covering Material Used Thereof - 1980 Patent Water Reclamation - Algae Production - 1972 Patent Method & Apparatus for Treating Sewage - a 1980 patent Method of Waste Treatment & Algae Recovery - a 1977 Patent Apparatus & Method for Growing Algae - a 1968 Patent

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Algae Lover

fuelgae
Evodos improves algae harvesting system http://t.co/4EXHh8B
4 days ago reply retweet favorite

Seaweed could have important biofuel role, say scientists http://t.co/HrsdSB3

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Neste Oil to Play a Part in Two Algae Research Projects in Australia and the Netherlands http://lnkd.in/wQjxd8
15 days ago reply retweet favorite

70,000 Liters of Spirulina Produced at GNE Algae Production Facility http://lnkd.in/2iGQty

16 days ago reply retweet favorite

Sapphire Sets 2018 as the Deadline for Commercial Scale Production http://lnkd.in/46nz8m
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