How Do You Make Biodiesel Out Of Algae?
Algae’s high-yield, low-price production value makes it a practical solution in the search for green energy. This perhaps unlikely alternative to food crop fuels like soybean and corn oil requires nothing more than a reflective pond or tank to cultivate. While the extraction process can be complicated and costly, algae crops yield up to 30 times more energy per acre than food crops, according to the US Department of Energy (DOE). Decide what type of algae you will grow. Choose a species with high levels of chlorophyll and a high percentage of oil yields. Most algae used for oil production already possess these qualities, since they are the most powerful and practical algae for this purpose. Your growing environment and chosen method will also be deciding factors in the strain of algae you choose. Some algae grow well in hot, shallow ponds, called photobioreactors, which work well in the heat of the desert. Other algae, like cryophytic algae, grow in cold, icy conditions. Cultivate the
