5 Things You Need to Know About Algae Biodiesel

What is Algae Biodiesel?

Fuel processed from algae grown in ponds is known as algae biodiesel. It can be highly viscous, depending on the type of algae it is created from, but is a highly-sustainable and renewable resource and emits no harmful emissions to the environment.

How Algae Biodiesel is Created

Transesterification is the process used to create biodiesel from vegetable and plant oils. To put it simply, this process is made up of the reaction between a triglyceride molecule, a complex fatty acid, removing the glycerin, and creating an ester from alcohol. This ester is then mixed with a vegetable oil from the algae and is left to settle until the glycerin separates out, leaving the biodiesel at the top of the mix.

What are Diatoms?

Diatoms are a species of algae that's shown significant promise for use in creating biodiesel fuel. Still in the development stages, actual applications of diatoms for biodiesel are far from near-term use. However, the ability to cultivate the algae in heterotrophic conditions may offer new options for algae production. Heterotrophy is the process of nourishment through digestion that plants or animals go through, which allows diatoms to be cultivated through digestion and not photosynthesis like many other forms of algae.

Research being Performed on Algae Biodiesel

Considering the early stages and multiple possibilities of algae biodiesel, the research being performed on its cultivation and benefits or shortcomings comprises a long list. With limited land use for research, scientists are turning to the open seas as a possible place to both cultivate and research algae biodiesel creation. Options for keeping these "open" areas quarantined from predators and other species of algae poses a significant challenge. Researching useable strains of algae for biodiesel production as well as large-scale production options also head up lists for many researchers.

Companies Involved with Algae Biodiesel Production

Many companies are involved on some level with either research and development for algae biodiesel or with cultivation of the algae all over world. A few examples include Aquaflow Bionomic in New Zealand and Algae Biofuels, a subsidiary of PetroSun Drilling. New Mexico is also part of an algae biodiesel effort with Energy Farms, which is a part of Nanoforce Technologies. Another effort involved in the development of this fuel is the CEHMM Biodiesel Project, which takes part in research and development of the harvesting, propagation, and extraction of oils from both fresh and salt water algae.

Tracie Close is a freelance writer for print and the web on eco-friendly topics. Her articles have been published in Saving American Manufacturing, Philadelphia Style Magazine, and High Tech, High Touch. She also has contributed numerous articles about green living for eHow.com.