Bob --
The algae farming proposed is a hybrid 'seeded' algae utilizing shallow clay and cement ponds. They would be build within 'piping' distance of salt (or fresh) water ... most likely in sunny desert lands. (Sonoma Desert would be the ideal start) Research has indicated that at our present energy use (including gasoline for cars), that utilizing 9% of the Sonoma desert area for algae based bio-fuel farming that we would supply all the energy needs for our country. (unrealistic of course, but shows the potential of algae to biodiesel)

As for price difference ... fuel is fuel - it is commodity based. When diesel goes up, so does biodiesel. As for the price difference, I don't have a precise answer except that "they can." If I were a business man and had a unique product and could get a few cents more per gallon to promote, advertise and sell E85 and biodiesel at an interstate pump ... I probably would too. (statistically though, biodiesel is selling for a premium over petroleum diesel)

Again, as those who drive hybrids know ... sometimes its not cheaper to be 'green' and 'domestic' ... but you do because its the 'right thing to do.'

EDIT: As for 'waste cooking oil' ... yes ... Griffin Industries in Kentucky is doing a really good job with Yellow Grease, but there are some property differences that create additional problems with manufacturers and warranties. One primary difference that I know from the 'homebrew' side is 'gell point' Think of Crisco vs. Soybean oil and you'll start to see the glitch in cold climates.

 

Therein lies the problem, "built." It is a lot easier to introduce a new crop to an existing farming operation than to build them up from scratch. But I wish them luck.

The rule of thumb about hybrid owners is, (1) greenie, (2) techie or (3) cheapie, pick two of three. I'm #2, engineering, and #3 cheapie, bought a used, NHW11 Prius. The 'greenie' is just an unavoidable by-product.

Thanks for the info about cooking grease processing. Being from Oklahoma, I'm used to oil feed stocks going into a refinery not only for separation but also use of a 'cracking tower' to increase production of specific products.

GOOD LUCK!

Bob Wilson

 

There are already amateurs growing algae in their backyards to produce their own vegetable oil for use in vehicles (see the biodieselnow forums).

Incidentally, I run my car on straight vegetable oil (SVO) in the summer, no need to make it into biodiesel first. This can be extracted from the algae using hexane extraction most efficiently, but a cheap and simple press will also do it at lower efficiency, and the oil is ready to go straight into the tank (if you have an SVO tolerant vehicle).

 

I seem to sense a little sarcasm from Bob stemming from this article. Is this not the same kind of reaction we had to Hybrids when that idea first came out. Did we not have this same reaction to Solar Energy?

It's a new process that might, if researched more, pay off in the future.

 

Now that's the reaction I've grown to expect from those driving and promoting Hybrid vehicles.

In case you are interested, there are a couple enjoyable semi-related video clips that you might enjoy here.

 

Hi,
Just healthy skepticism, which is how I approached buying our hybrid. We passed on the first opportunity in 2001 but when our Camry was lost in an accident, the situation changed and the hybrid made sense. But living in the South, we have our own fun.

Bob Wilson

 

I found those to be quite enjoyable and educational. Thanks for the info